Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, Second Pattern with Hanger, Owner-Attributed by Carl Eickhorn

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere mit Gehänge). A well-preserved Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 41.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25.5 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade which retains factory-original sharpening to the tip. Dual narrow fullers run the majority of the length of blade, which also bears double-sided acid-etched imagery consisting of central fouled anchors flanked by arabesque latticework and serpentine imagery. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. It sits securely within a gilded bronze upper crossguard, bearing double-sided central fouled anchors, with an intact brown wool buffer pad covering the seam. Inset into the reverse of the crossguard is a functional push-button release connecting to a clip which emanates from the blade’s ricasso to release the scabbard lock. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. It culminates in a gilded bronze pommel in the form of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the handle is a matching portpee, consisting of a stylized gold bullion wire acorn suspended from a cord of identical construction. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a gilded bronze shaft. Etched designs are distributed throughout the scabbard’s circumference, while two integral oak leaf bands set into the upper third retain loops for the accommodation of a hanger. A functional catch situated within the throat locks onto the blade’s clip. Notably, the reverse of the scabbard shaft bears an etched owner’s name of “SENNEWALD”. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, sporadic loss of gilt finish throughout the bronze elements, and some material fatigue to the portepee. This complete and owner-personalized example remains in a near extremely fine condition.

Also accompanying the dagger is a matching hanger, consisting of two black doeskin straps, each topped on the obverse by a layer of black rayon. Each strap culminates at both ends in functional gilded aluminum spring clips, and is adjusted with a gilded aluminum buckle which bears dual raised lion heads. One strap measures 42 cm in length, while the other measures 25 cm in length as presented. Minor loss of gilt is evident to the material fixtures, while the straps demonstrating moderate material fatigue. This matching set remains in a very fine condition.