German Army officers  first carried a dagger beginning in 1935.

The dress dagger was worn on occasions not requiring the wearing of a more formal dress sword.

The dagger design was quite attractive featuring silvered heavy fittings with white or coloured grip. The crossguard depicted a Wehrmacht open-winged eagle clutching a wreathed swastika.

The pommel decorated with  oak leaf design around the outer circumference.

The scabbard had panels of pebble designs. Later produced examples were plated with nickel, and late war-made pieces were unplated, finished in a gray color metal. These daggers are often encountered with an aluminum portepee.

Army Dagger with Double Etched Blades

These Army Officer’s Daggers are very beautiful having never having been cleaned. retaining a fine, even, dark patina throughout. As we normally see with these unmarked etched Army Daggers

it have the Generic A” hilt fittings and scabbard.

The pommels with no signs of usage and a perfectly crisp rim. The standing oak leaves are in choice condition, with fine hand engraving on each. The ferrule is a choice, matching example. The “Generic A” crossguard features an appealing, noble eagle with new-like detail throughout the eye, beak, breast feathering and wreathed swastika.

The grip of this example is a light orange color and is in perfect condition.

The scabbard is also a real beauty. It is totally straight and retains 100% of the original silvering, with a perfect, dark patination that matches the hilt. It has very beautiful carrying bands decorated with hand enhanced oak leaves. The throat is a thicker type, and, as I have seen many times with these unmarked daggers, is retained by a single headless screw set into the obverse, as opposed to the more usual reverse placement. When we see this feature usually the tang also has larger then normal threads; you can see an example of these threads in my Army Book on page 134.

The blade of this dagger is totally new-like, with a pristine mirror finish and a needle-like tip. There is no flaking whatsoever and all of the etch frosting is 100% intact. Albeit there is a slight blemish on the reverse blade that was not seen at the time of this description.

The etch features a floral design on the obverse, with a center panel containing an Art Deco style Army Eagle. Beneath each wing is a sprig of oak leaves. The reverse is completely etched with floral patterns. The original leather washer is in place.

If you have been looking for a really crisp example that cannot be upgraded and would like to have a double etched dagger, this is one of the best examples (if not the best) you could hope to find.

WE ARE PAYING £1600

 Army Officer’s Daggers with Hangers  by WKC

The pommel is in nice condition, still showing a mild amount of frosting around the inside of the rim. The standing oak leaves are in choice condition, with hand enhancing to the veins.

The crossguard is the ever popular “ax” beaked eagle; all of the fine details are completely crisp on this bird. Setting off the hilt is an extremely dark orange grip. It is so dark it is almost red! As the grip is turned you can see the color get light, the reverse side being an egg yolk yellow. This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that these grips were yellow and not orange when they were first produced.

The WKC scabbard is the type with a single flat head screw on the side. This scabbard is in fine, mint condition, with the edges still having most of the original frosting intact. The panels are crisp and the bands have fine overlapping oak leaves.

Attached to the scabbard is a set of hangers. These hangers show quite a bit of usage. Although they were with the dagger when I received it I am not so sure they are original to the piece as they seem to have more wear than the dagger. At any rate they feature the deluxe hardware, with a closed clip decorated with oak leaves and marked “DRGM”. The oval buckles and slides have raised out oak leaves, as do the deluxe, “push-up” snap clips. The top snap clip has more silver than the lower one, so it is possible it is either a period replacement perhaps was just covered and the finish protected.

The blade of this dagger is as good as they come. It is totally mint, with all of the crossgraining and a needle-like tip. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the Knight Head trademark of the WKC firm, and the original large leather blade buffer is in place.

An outstanding, textbook WKC Army Dagger here.

We Are Paying $260

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger has the “Generic A” mounts throughout; you can see examples of these mounts in my Army Book on page 79. The mounts have not been cleaned in years and have a nice, even patina.

The pommel is an outstanding example, with no hits to the rim and a flawless upper surface. The twelve standing oak leaves are crisp and have hand enhanced veins. The ferrule is the standard type.

The crossguard features a fine “Generic A” eagle, with full detailing throughout the head, breast, and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swastika. The reverse of the guard is also perfect, with full silvering.

The grip of this dagger is white, in fine, perfect condition and having toned slightly over the years.

The scabbard is a fine example, being completely straight. It has good pebbled panels and excellent carrying bands with hand enhanced oak leaves. The thick throat is retained by means of a pair of dome head side screws.

Attached to the scabbard is a nice set of deluxe hangers which appear to be original to the piece. The brocade shows some age and wear, as does the velvet backing. The straps are retained by fold-over metal tabs and rivets. These tabs are both marked “DRGM”. The upper closed clip has a pattern of oak leaves, as do the oval buckles and slides. The snaps are the deluxe, “push-up” type, also patterned with oak leaves and marked “DRGM” on the reverse. A pebbled nickel snap clip is attached to these hangers.

The unmarked blade is as nice as they come; it is is in full mint condition, with full crossgrain and a needle-like tip. The original large leather blade buffer is in place.

A nice Army example here.

We Pay $260

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger is composed of good parts. The pommel and crossguard are the 3rd Style Eickhorn type. Both of these mounts are in choice condition, with all of the original silvering. The ferrule looks to be an earlier 1st Style Eickhorn version.

The grip looks to be an Eickhorn example, deep orange in color on the obverse and dating slightly on the reverse. There are also a couple of cracks on the lower reverse grip, with a small chip missing. There is an original 42cm portepee with this dagger. It is in fairly good condition, showing a little fray where it exits the knot.

The scabbard looks to be an Alcoso example, straight with fairly good silvering. It has good carrying bands and a pair of flat screws which retain the throat.

The blade is unmarked, with some minor surface age but it might clean up some.

A good dagger here, either for parts or as a restoration project. In either case it is a great value and priced accordingly.

We Pay $150

 

This early Army is a rarely seen example having the 1st Style crossguard used by the Alcoso firm. The mounts are the early brass type.

The pommel is the typical Alcoso “flair-out” variety having fourteen standing oak leaves. Each and every leaf has choice hand enhancement. The pommel top shows only trivial usage signs. The 1st Style crossguard is a rather exciting variation, having wings that are much wider than norm, a trait which is noticeable at the bottom wing flow. This style crossguard was only used for a short time, probably due to its high-enhancement necessity. There is some wear to the upper portion of the breast feathering, but the rest of the guard retains its original detailing. The ferrule is the early style.

The grip is fine deep orange color, remaining in perfect condition.

The straight scabbard is an early Alcoso type, having the very fine pebbling in the patterns. The pebbling remains crisp throughout. The bands are nicely detailed, also having hand-enhanced oak leaves. The thicker-style throat is retained by two side screws being the small bore type used exclusively by Alcoso. A good scabbard here.

The blade is also of high interest. It is a very high quality type, having a fine nickel-plated finish. It remains mirror bright and is in mint condition, Although there is no maker marking the distributor name is deeply etched into the reverse, “Albert Kuhl, Münster I/W.- Essen”. This distributor is a well-known customer of Alcoso, and in fact, I show an Alcoso Army dagger with this same distributor . The large-size brown leather blade washer is in place.

A great dagger here and especially interesting if you are one of the many Army “type” collectors out there.

We Are Paying $300

This Army Officer’s Dagger is equipped with the 2nd Style fittings throughout; these hilt fittings have developed a nice patination.

The pommel is nice and crisp showing little carrying time and the standing oak leaves are also nicely done. The crossguard depicts the same eagle as the book picture having excellent detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The ferrule also nicely matches. These hilt fittings have 100% silvering.

The grip is a yellow orange color and it is in perfect condition.

The scabbard is straight throughout, being the second style produced. This scabbard has crisp pebbling throughout its panels, it’s straight as an arrow and has good detail to the leaves of the carrying bands. The thicker style throat is retained by a single center placed flat head screw in the reverse.

The blade is still quite bright throughout having just a tiny bit of smudge appearing in a few places. The blade though still grades easily at near mint having a fine needlelike tip. The 1935-41 Squirrel trademark is darkly etched on the reverse ricasso. The original brown leather washer is in place.

This is an excellent Heer Dagger in fine collectible condition.

We Are Paying $390

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger has the 2nd Style fittings and scabbard used by Eickhorn. The pommel rim shows very little carrying time. The standing oak leaves number twelve and they are all in good condition.

The crossguard is the typical 2nd Style type and is identical to the example I show on page 25 of my Army Book. This crossguard also has some silvering noticeable around the upper areas where it meets the ferrule. The ferrule also nicely matches. The details to the eagle’s eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and swastika are excellent. This crossguard exhibits 100% silvering.

The grip is an orange example on the obverse turning slightly to a tangerine color on the reverse. The grip is in good condition throughout having a couple of flecks that are missing on one of the section dividers but it is nothing.

The scabbard is nice and straight on the obverse and on the reverse there is just the slightest ripple just below the second band but it is nothing. The pebble pattern is crisp and the oak leaves are well done on the carrying bands. This fine scabbard has a thicker style throat which is retained by one center placed screw in the reverse.

The blade of this example is nice and bright throughout retaining its needlelike tip. The crossgraining is still visible in the surfaces. There is just the slightest of age noticeable in a couple of places but overall this blade easily grades in near full mint. The reverse ricasso is etched with the trademark used from 1935-41. The original small size brown leather washer is in place.

A very nice, untouched Eickhorn dagger here with a nice patination.

Paying $350

This Schüttelhöfer Army Officer’s Dagger is a rarely seen maker mark. The dagger is fitted with nickel-plated generic “A” hilt fittings.

The pommel is in good condition showing some minor usage signs but also having a nice patination with a never cleaned surface. The standing oak leaves are crisp around the circumference. The crossguard is in excellent condition throughout having exceptional detail to the bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The ferrule exactly matches the fittings.

The grip is an off-white color which is probably a plaster filled variety. If you look closely you can just see a small crack which has developed on the depths of the first rib. This flaw is hardly noticeable however.

The scabbard has a good matching patination with the exact bands as is shown on page 88. These style bands are usually associated with the Pack firm. These surfaces have never been cleaned and the silvering seems to be still all there. This scabbard is also nice and straight. The thin throat is retained by two dome head screws which are located slightly lower than most; another sign of Pack construction.

The blade of this example is quite nice. It is bright throughout and has just the slightest of smudge mainly towards the lower end of both sides. The crossgraining though still appears to be all there and the tip is needlelike. This blade in spite of the smudge grades at excellent plus, plus to near mint. The reverse ricasso is etched with the seldom seen trademark which consists of an oval design. The firm’s name and location is lettered throughout the inner circumference, “A. Schüttelhöfer & Co. Solingen-Wald”. Inside is a pair of crossed hobby horses and beneath the horses is the abbreviated name, “Asso”. The larger size leather washer is in place.

A solid, untouched dagger here for the type collectors out there.

Paying $260

This early example features the first style fittings throughout.

The pommel is the second style which we sometimes see used on earlier fittings. This was simply a matter of using up parts. Comparing the pommel to the crossguard it is obvious from the patination and also the frosting remaining that these two parts were always together. The pommel shows good detail throughout and little carrying time. The first style crossguard is a beauty retaining full detail to the bird’s head, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The early style ferrule also nicely matches.

The grip is a very pleasing orange color, and is in perfect condition throughout.

The scabbard is the 1st Style but is not the brass base, instead being fabricated from steel. The panels are still mostly crisp and the silvering is still 100% also with some frosting remaining in the protected areas around the bands and the throat. The scabbard bands are the early type having good detail and hand enhancing to the oak leafing. The throat is of a medium thickness and it is retained by a center placed flatter style screw.

The blade of this example is outstanding. It is an early tapered tang type and is nice and bright with 100% of the crossgraining. The tip is still needlelike. This blade has a couple of tiniest signs of age but nothing that would not clean off if somebody wanted to do it. This blade is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is deep etched with the 1935-41 . The original brown leather washer is in place.

We Are Paying $380

 

We do not see many Clemen and Jung pieces so this is a good example to acquire an excellent conditioned example if you are a “type” collector out there. This hilt, just like the book example, is equipped with generic “A” style fittings. The fittings are nicely patinated and have all of their silvering intact. The pommel is a fine twelve leaf style depiction and the rim and upper area are free of flaws. The crossguard has outstanding detail to the generic eagle’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and swastika. This fitting is in first rate condition. The ferrule also nicely matches.

The grip is a very pleasing deep orange color and it would be in perfect condition except there is a tiny hairliner at the first upper section obverse and also a small crack at the right edge which runs down two segments. These are nothing though and are not jeopardizing the grip’s integrity.

The scabbard is also identical to the book example. This scabbard has good silvering and fine matching patination. The pebble patterns are good and crisp and the carrying bands show excellent hand engraving to the oak leaves, the same as the book piece. The rings of this scabbard are also slightly larger than most of the other army types we see. The throat is retained by a single flatter head style screw placed in the middle reverse.

The blade of this example is still mostly bright. Clemen and Jung has a way of finishing their blades with the grade running lengthways instead of across the segments. This blade seems to have the lengthway grain and it is still shinier than most Clemen and Jung pieces. The blade has a good needlelike tip and does grade easily at Excellent Plus, Plus. Clemen and Jung blades are also unique in that these early examples are marked with the firm’s name in block letters on the reverse, “Clemen and Jung / Solingen” and on the obverse are marked with a “Z” letter within a crown over a shield device. This is the only maker I can recall that has two identical methods on their blades.

This is a rarely seen maker and a great dagger for those collecting the various “types”.

We Are Paying $390

This Army Officer’s Dagger is equipped with generic “A” fittings. The pommel has a gray finished late war silvering, but it is still in good condition having fine detail to the standing oak leaves. The crossguard appears to be a standard silver finish type but the plating is peeling on the reverse and the upper areas, but the obverse still looks pretty good.

The grip of this example is a fine off-white color and it really has an ivory look to it. It is, however, a plaster filled type, but really has good eye appeal. The scabbard is one of the generic varieties. This scabbard has deeply toned silvering and appears to be in perfect mint condition beneath the patination. The bands have outstanding detail and the thinner throat is retained by a single flathead screw. This scabbard is the same as the one I show on page 120. It is interesting to note that there is a silhouette of the crossguard left on the upper scabbard face. This is caused by the crossguard being in place, preventing the air from oxidizing as quickly under the crossguard as around it.

The blade of this example is bright throughout. It has a couple of really minor smudges, more on the obverse than on the reverse, but the blade still rates in near full mint condition, still having its crossgraining. This blade is stamped on the reverse horizontally, “WMW/Waffen. The small style new-like brown leather washer is in place.

A maker mark not seen very often. It is a shame that there is some peeling to the crossguard, but it is priced accordingly.

We Are Paying $375

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger by Carl Eickhorn is an extremely nice piece, having very choice silvered fittings. These fittings are the second type produced by Eickhorn. These fittings have turned completely black and they do not look to have been cleaned in many years.

The pommel is a beauty showing little to no wear and still having a crisp rim about its circumference. This pommel displays the twelve oak leaves all having excellent detail running around the pommel’s edge. The crossguard is choice, the bird showing virtually no wear at all. The details to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika are perfect. There is also some frosting there and there on this beautiful crossguard. The ferrule is the same as the book piece and also nicely matches the other fittings.

The grip on this example is a rarely seen lemon yellow color. It has the look of an old-fashioned candy stick. This color is not seen very often and is probably the original color these grips were when these daggers were produced. As we all know when light is subjected to the celluloid plastic it turns the color darker. This grip is in perfect condition except for a tiny hairliner about a 32nd of an inch long just at the reverse bottom. A very fine hilt here!

The scabbard is also in first rate condition. It is straight throughout having good crisp pebbled panels and perfect silvering. There is also frosting to be seen in the protected areas around the throat and the scabbard bands. These bands have outstanding detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The throat is the thicker style traditional with this producer and it is retained with a single flatter head center mounted screw in the reverse. A great scabbard here.

The blade of this piece is as nice as you will see. It is mirror bright and has all of its crossgraining with needlelike tip. This blade is a quality example throughout. The reverse ricasso is dark etched with the squirrel logo of 1935 through 1941. The leather blade buffer is the small type and is in place.

If you are looking for a fine Eickhorn dagger this example will not fail please you.

WE Are Paying $300

This Army Officer’s Dagger is equipped with good silvered fittings which do not look to have been cleaned in many years. They have a fine black patina. The crossguard is the generic “B” style. This guard shows some minor wear to the bird’s head and breast feathering but the wing feathering, wreath and swastika are still in excellent shape. The matching pommel has good oak leaves which run throughout the edges and the pommel shows some mild carrying time.

The grip is a very appealing tangerine color orange having some graining in the surfaces giving it a really nice look. This grip is in perfect condition.

The scabbard of this example is nice and straight and has matching patination. The panels have good pebbling and the bands are in excellent condition showing overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The screws are flush mount side screws having no heads. This scabbard probably was made by Pack as we know that Puma did not really make anything. It is also interesting to note that there is a silhouette of the wreath on the lighter part of the scabbard patination.

The blade of this example is outstanding. It is completely mirror bright and has all of its crossgraining with a needle tip. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the small Puma cat head. This trademark does not have the diamond around it and is identical to the example shown on page 93, right. Beneath the cat is the firm’s name and location, “Puma Solingen”. The original new-like large leather blade buffer is in place. I took a look at the tang on this piece and it is the early tapered tang style which goes with the early trademark.

We do not see too many Pumas so this one is a good one for the type collectors out there. I brought this dagger from the family of a veteran along with a Model 89 Infantry sword. A pretty neat example here with a grip you will admire as well as a really fine blade.

We Are Paying $280

 

This uncleaned Carl Eickhorn Army Officer’s Dagger has very dark patination completely over all of its surfaces and it does not appear to me as though these silvered fittings have been cleaned since the war. The mounts are the second type produced by this firm. . These fittings although they are deeply patinated also show some mild amounts of frosting evident here and there. The pommel shows some mild usage but there are no serious hits to the rim and the twelve leaves spaced around the pommel are all nice and crisp.

The crossguard eagle is in perfect condition having a nice crisp presentation to the bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. The reverse of the crossguard has the original owner’s name lightly scratched into the center surface, “Stark”.

The grip is a real beauty having turned a deep pumpkin orange color. This grip is in perfect condition and has great eye appeal. This scabbard is also a textbook second pattern type and it too has never been cleaned and has lots of frosting in the protected areas around the throat and also the edges and the tip. The bands are the typical Eickhorn type having good detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The throat is the thicker style and it is retained by one center placed flatter head screw. This fine scabbard is in mint condition.

The blade is also quite nice. It is still bright throughout and is in a Near Mint state. It appears as though a very light cleaning was done with a piece of steel wool or something to this effect as the blade is not in Full Mint but it is not bad either. This blade still grades in a very near mint state. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn squirrel trademark. The original small brown style leather washer is in place.

A nice Heer Dagger here if you’re looking for the untouched type with nice silver fittings.

We Are Paying $400

This personalized Army Officer’s Dagger, despite the fact that it has an unmarked blade, is of high quality fittings throughout. The hilt fittings are the beautiful generic “A” variety and are identical to the examples that I show in my Army Book on page 78 and 79 upper. These fittings have formed a very nice patination and do not look to have been cleaned in a number of years. The pommel is a fine example showing only minor usage around the rim. The upper plain area is still nice and smooth. The oak leaves and acorns around the pommel circumference are crisp and have a good dark background. The crossguard has a fine crisp eagle having outstanding detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised mobile swastika. The ferrule is the same as the piece on page 78.

The grip is a fine popsicle orange color maybe being just a slightly darker orange tone on the reverse. This beautiful grip is in perfect condition throughout. It has some signs of graining in the celluloid which is also nice to see. The reverse of this crossguard is professionally engraved with a very jazzy signature. The name is “Schumann”. However the name is done in signature form on a slight racy angle going upward and then on the last letter there is a downward slung line which ends in a fine curl. This is a great signature and shows the good solid ego of the officer behind it. Unfortunately Schumann is a fairly common name and it would be difficult to research this man.

The scabbard is a choice matching silvered example which also is beginning to have a nice patination. This scabbard remains crisp throughout, has 100% silvering and is also straight. The bands are nicely formed having lots of handwork to the veins and the throat is retained by a single flush mount headless screw in the reverse center. A nice scabbard here.

The blade of this example is also a real beauty. This blade is a quality made example having precise center segment and good formed double edges. Its tip remains needlelike and all of the crossgraining is visible in the surfaces. This blade is in full mint condition and has been protected by the in place small style brown leather washer.

A really nice personalized Heer piece here, a fine addition to any collection.

Paying $450

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger is a textbook Pack and itappears to be identical to the example I show in my Army Book on page 54 and 55. This dagger has the lighter weight hilt fittings which Pack frequently produced. The silvering usually doesn’t stick too well on these and this is somewhat the case here with these fittings. The pommel is the same as the book piece having a little bit of the silver worn out on the very top peak and also a little bit along the ridge. The oak leaves are still nice and crisp running around the circumference.

 This silvering is also thinning on the edges and the highpoints but overall it is about 98%. The bird has good detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika. The ferrule is the same as in the book.

This dagger is equipped with a grip which has several tones of yellow and orange the obverse being the darker orange tone. It is pretty obvious where there once was a portepee on this grip as that area is also slightly lighter at the top and bottom. This grip is in perfect condition.

The scabbard is also identical to the book example being nice and straight and having all of its silvered finish. This scabbard has good detail to the bands being the same as the book and the throat is retained by two dome head screws which are positioned fairly low; a typical Pack trait. This scabbard is in near full mint condition. The blade is also a fine example. It has mirror bright surfaces and has all of the crossgraining. This mint blade also has a needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is etched with the large Siegfried Waffen trademark, the same as is shown on page 54. Collectors always seem to like this trademark. The washer is in place, being the smaller leather type.

A very nice Pack example here.

Paying $280

This personalized example is a classic WKC throughout and is in fine collectible condition not appearing to have been cleaned in many years.  The pommel is in choice condition having a fine smooth top and no signs of carrying hits around the rim. The alternating oak leaves and acorns are beauties having outstanding black backgrounds. The crossguard has the “hatchet” style beak unique to this producer.

. This “hatchet” eagle has perfect crisp detail to his eye, his beak, his breast feathering, the talons, wreath and also the mobile swastika. The silvering throughout this crossguard is outstanding. The reverse of the guard has the original owner’s monogram nicely engraved, “F U ” The letters are double script variety having nice shading in between. These letters are not fancy but they have a quality to their engraving. Obviously the initials “F U ” are not going to be enough to research this officer but they do give a nice quality to the dagger.

The grip is a fine tangerine orange color. This grip is in totally perfect condition throughout. The original portepee is also in place. It is a 42 cm variety which is in good shape throughout except for a little bit of fray where the cord comes out of the original tie. If any thing though this gives character and the “fray” also “talks to you” as it is positioned exactly where the cord swings across the top of the crossguard quillon. A nice hilt here!

The scabbard is the classic WKC style having one screw to retain the throat. This scabbard is the same as is shown on page 63. There are some signs of frosting clinging around the edges of the scabbard and also around the protected area of the throat. This thicker style throat is retained by the one flat screw on the right side. The bands all have hand done detail to the veins. A fine mint condition scabbard here.

The blade of this example is also a beauty. It is mirror bright throughout and has its original needlelike tip. The graining is easily 100% throughout this mint blade and the reverse ricasso is etched with the knighthead logo and the firm’s initials and location below, “WKC Solingen”. The large style leather washer is in place protecting this blade.

A fine, personalized Heer Officer’s dagger here.

Paying $350

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger consists of a very choice conditioned dagger with a scabbard that has some flaking to the silver plating. If someone has a generic scabbard out there in good condition this particular piece would be a very good buy.

The fittings are fine silvered type and they are the generic “B” type. They are the same as I show on page 99. The pommel is in excellent condition having just a little bit of age under the plating on the top of the pommel. The twelve standing leaves and alternating acorns though are in choice condition throughout. The crossguard eagle eagle has full original detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika. This crossguard is a real beauty here. The ferrule is exactly the same as the one shown in the book. The grip is a fine off-white color. It is probably one of the plaster filled types. This grip is a slightly darker tone on the obverse than it is on the reverse but it really has a lovely ivory color.

The scabbard is the same as the one shown on page 99. It is nice and straight however there is some lifting to the silver particularly on the edges and a little bit on the surfaces of the top pebble pattern and also the lower pattern on the obverse. The bands are nicely detailed having some handwork to the veins of the leaves. There is just a little bit of brass showing through on these bands. The throat is a thicker type and it is retained by two headless side screws. The blade of this example is in outstanding condition. It has all of its crossgraining and it’s still nice and bright and in full mint. It is an unmarked example as it probably represented a contract order by the army from many different suppliers. The original pebbled leather washer is in place.

Once again, a very good example here if you possibly have a better conditioned scabbard.

Paying $280

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger has brass hilt mounts in the very early style.

The pommel has lots of patination, and some wear to the plain top surface. The same is true around the rim; this gives a neat effect, with the worn areas contrasting against the patina. The rim has no hits. The pommel has the usual 14 standing oak leaves, each with evidence of hand enhancement. The ferrule is the early type and matches nicely.

The crossguard has the same level of patination. This guard is the type that is normally associated with e E. Pack firm, as they made a great deal of guards that were used by smaller companies. The breast feathering on the eagle shows a little surface wear but is not obscured. The eye and beak are still intact and the wings and wreathed swastika retain good detailing. The silvering is intact on this guard. On the reverse we see the initials of the original owner, “FU”, scratched into the surface.

The grip is a desirable “slant” types. It is a egg yolk yellow example, in perfect condition and quite attractive.

The scabbard is outstanding, early steel example with a matching patination. The silvering is 100% intact throughout the scabbard. The pebbled panels are in good condition and the bands have fine oak leaves that show evidence of hand work. The throat is retained by a pair of dome head screws.

The blade is an outstanding example, still being mirror-bright and having a needle-like tip. The blade has 100% of the original crossgrain and would be mint were it not for some superficial smudging on the ends of both sides. This could possible be taken out with some polishing but I have not tried to clean it up. This beautiful, high quality blade is etched with the Little Knight trademark of the Wingen firm. The large leather blade washer is in place and in good condition.

A very nice, untouched early Army Dagger here.

Paying $360

This Army Officer’s Dagger is equipped with a 2nd Style Eickhorn pommel. It is in nice condition throughout, with good silvered surfaces and only mild signs of usage. The ferrule below is an early example, as is the 1st Style crossguard.

The obverse of the guard is in perfect condition throughout. The reverse of the guard shows some movement under the surface although all of the silvering remains and there is no reason to think this will change.

The grip is a very beautiful, dark orange example that remains in perfect condition.

The scabbard is a 1st Style Eickhorn, with convex bands and fine, hand enhanced oak leaves. This early scabbard has a thin throat retained by a single screw set in the reverse center. It is straight throughout and has a fine, matching patina.

The blade is bright throughout, although there is some smudging on the upper areas of both sides. Beyond this it is nearly mint, with a needle-like tip. It has been personalized with the words, “Edith / 1929/30 / 1937”, directly below the guard swastika. I’m not sure that I understand the meaning of the years but perhaps the next owner can figure it out. Edith was most likely the original owner’s wife or sweetheart.], so you can imagine the dates have some sentimental meaning. The reverse ricasso is etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original small brown leather washer is in place.

An interesting Army example here.

Paying $360

 

The pommel of this Pack Army Officer’s Dagger has a nice silvered look to it; it could be constructed out of aluminum. This pommel is the style with twelve standing oak leaves, each with hand enhancement. The plain top shows only model usage.

The crossguard is a matching type, and could also be constructed from silver plated aluminum. There is slight wear to the silver plating on the high points of the eagle. The detailing throughout the Pack eagle remains crisp. The wreath has been hand enhanced and the swastika is nicely raised.

The reverse of the guard has a rather interesting monogram, the initials “OS”. The “O” has been combined nicely with the upper and lower curves of the “S”, in an almost Art Deco style.

The scabbard is a typical Pack example. It has good pebbled panels and the bands are the style with smooth edges in the Pack style. The throat is retained by a pair of dome head side screws.

It is interesting to note that the original owner also has his surname engraved on the reverse of the scabbard, centered between the bands. It reads “Schachtner”. With this information (and the initials” perhaps the next owner of the dagger will be able to identify this man.

The blade is extremely nice, bright throughout and in mint condition. The reverse is marked with the “Siegfried Waffen” Pack trademark, complete with the hammering hero. The large brown blade buffer is in place.

A nice dagger here, with appears untouched and ready to be researched and appreciated.

Paying $440

 

This Army Officer Dagger has the 2nd Style fittings throughout. The dagger looks to have been cleaned not too long ago and has a nice bright silver finish throughout. The pommel is a beauty having perfect rim and good detail to the standing oak leaves. The top area also is in choice condition with no hits. The crossguard and ferrule are the 2nd style. The silvering here is also in perfect condition. This bird has very fine detail throughout his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised mobile swastika.

The grip is a pretty lemon yellow color, an indication that this dagger has not been exposed to much light over the last fifty years. The grip is in perfect condition on the obverse and on the reverse there is one minor chip in the second from top rib separator but it is really not anything detractive. A good-looking hilt here. The scabbard is in perfect condition being straight and having 100% silvering. The bands are nicely detailed showing overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The throat is the thicker style and it is retained by one center placed screw in the reverse. A fine mint scabbard here.

The blade of this example is also a nice one still being bright and having most of its original crossgraining. There is a tiny bit of age smudge in the surfaces here and there but overall this blade still grades at near mint condition. The tip is still needlelike. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The original smaller style brown leather washer is in place.

Paying $380

 

This is a classic wartime produced Richard Herder dagger. This example is textbook in every way. The hilt fittings are the late wartime nickel plated type. They are the generic “B” variety.The pommel is in good condition having intact plating throughout. It has one wearing hit on the rim edge, but it is nothing. This is the 14 leaf variety pommel that we normally see with the generic “B” cross guard. It is a style that has the threaded separate stem in the center inner area. The ferrule nicely matches the plating and texture of the pommel. The generic “B” cross guard is as nice as the book example. There is some minor age evident under the plating of both of these fittings, but this is almost a normal sight on these late-made fittings. The details are all there to the mobile bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised mobile swastika. Contrasting with these nickel fittings is a fine dark orange grip. This grip is as orange as a pumpkin on the obverse, turning slightly lighter to that of an orange fruit on the reverse. This grip is in totally perfect condition and really looks great.

The straight scabbard is the generic variety. The late nickel plating exactly matches that of the hilt. The pebble pattern is still nice and crisp. These scabbards were the ones that the Spanish copied exactly on the army daggers made as reproductions in the 1970s. The bands on this example are in excellent condition; the upper one retaining all of the plating while the lower one has most of the nickel plating gone and is down to the gray metal. The detail, though, is still all there and this is something we see quite a bit on late produced pieces.

The blade of this example is nice and bright and has all of its graining. This blade still has its needlelike tip and is in mirror bright, mint condition. The reverse has the double oval trademark, the same as is shown on Page 31. The ovals encase the firm’s name and location, “Rich Abr Herder Solingen”. Inside is the diamond shaped logo used by this producer. The brown leather washer is the large type and it has a pebbled finish.

A nice example of a late-production Heer Dagger, from a hard to find maker.

Paying $35o

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger has the 1st Style cross guard used by Carl Eickhorn along with the 1st style ferrule. These fittings throughout are of absolute highest quality and are in extremely choice condition. All of the fittings to include the pommel, ferrule, cross guard and scabbard have matching silver frosting seen beneath the patination.

The cross guard has a good, noble head to the eagle, showing no wear at all. The chest breast feathering is also nicely done with close checkered cuts. The wing feathering is outstanding, as is the detail to the eagle’s claws, wreath and raised swastika. The silvering is absolutely perfect throughout this cross guard. The pommel is the style with 12 oak leaves and alternating acorns which run throughout the perimeter. The rim shows no use at all and the upper portion is in nice condition, having frosting around the lower areas. The outside of this pommel also has frosting throughout the neck section. The ferrule also nicely matches. The grip of this example is in perfect condition and it is a nice grapefruit yellow color. This is a sign that the dagger has been put away somewhere all these years, not exposed to light. This would also account for the fine condition of the silvering.

The choice scabbard is totally straight and still has crisp pebbling. There is frosting throughout the silvering, but it is particularly noticeable around the throat area and the edge areas and especially around the bands where the frosting is protected. The throat is not a real thick variety; a good indication this is an early made 2nd Style scabbard. The throat is retained by a single placed flatter head screw in the center reverse. An outstanding scabbard here. The blade of this example is as nice as you will see. It is still factory fresh, having its needlelike tip and easily 100% of the cross graining is visible in the surfaces. This mirror blade is etched on the reverse with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The trademark is nice and dark also. The small size leather blade washer is in place.

An outstanding, untouched dagger here for those out there who demand the best. A very fine Eickhorn, having everything we all like about this producer’s pieces.

Paying $380

 

This choice Army Officer’s Dagger is in an uncleaned state and remains in perfect condition throughout. The fittings are a very black tone from patination and there is also lots of frosting to be seen in the recessed areas. Chances are, he relieved a passenger of it. I don’t know, but it sure is a nice dagger. The pommel is in good condition, showing just the slightest signs of usage around the rim, but, overall, it still has good, crisp oak leaves and acorns. The cross guard is the second style, having nice detail to the eagle’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised out swastika. The ferrule is also the same as Page 25. The grip is one of those egg-yolk yellow types. It is slightly lighter at the top area and also the bottom area, as, at one time this grip must have sported a portepee. There is also some nice grains which appear in the surfaces if you really look closely. A nice hilt here!

The scabbard is also the second style and it is nice and black throughout. The area which is protected by the in-place cross guard still has all of its frosting, providing a fine contrast with the coal black patination. The second style carrying bands show little to no usage and good, crisp oak leaves. The throat is the thicker type and it is retained by a single placed, flatter head screw in the center reverse. This scabbard is easily in full mint condition. The blade of this example is as nice as they come. It is mirror bright, has its needlelike tip and has all of its cross graining. This choice, mint blade is darkly etched on the reverse ricasso with the 1935-41 squirrel. The animal is holding a downward pointing sword. The smaller style brown leather washer is in place.

This is a fine, uncleaned, near full mint example.

Paying $350

 

This good looking Army Officer’s Dagger example has the early style hilt fittings, all having good silvering throughout. The pommel cap is the style having 14 leaf depiction. Each and every leaf has good hand enhanced veins throughout. The pommel top shows some usage around the edges, and a few taps into the surfaces, but if anything, it gives it a sense of realism. The crossguard is in perfect condition. It is the same as page 24. It has outstanding detail to the early bird head, close checkered breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath, and raised-out swastika. The reverse of the crossguard is nice and smooth, and new-like, having a fine patina finish.

The grip still has a mellow yellow tone to it. It has a couple of lighter spots, where it has been protected by the in-place portepee. There are a couple of hairliners at the top right area, and also the reverse center area, but they are not threatening and are very small. The ferrule is the early type, the same as shown on page 24. The portepee is an aluminum 42cm variety, having just a little bit of slight fray, but hardly any at all. It is the thicker cord style, and is still in the Army tie.

The scabbard of this example is typical Eickhorn.The scabbard is nice and straight throughout, having a fine pebbled finish. The throat is the thin type, and it is retained by one dome screw applied to the back of the scabbard.

The blade is a mirror-bright example, having nice needle-like tip, and fine crossgraining in its surfaces. There are a couple of very tiny smudges in the surface, but they are not enough to keep it from its full mint rating, and I’m sure these would clean out with minor work.

Scratched into the center segment of the blade obverse, is apparently the owner’s name and his original profession. It is engraved, “Otto Kahle Waffenmeister”. Apparently, Herr Kahle was a weapons maker, prior to being drafted into the Army. The scratching is very nicely done, but not particularly professional, but certainly neat and precise, considering the hardness of these blades. The reverse of the blade is etched with the 1935 through 1941, squirrel trademark. The small leather washer is in place.

Overall a very fine example Heer Dagger, with some research possibilities.

Paying $350

 

The SMF firm produced a lot of Luftwaffe etched weapons, but their Army production was very small. No one seems to know the reason for this, but it is a fact, and most collections are missing this particular brand. It has some very nice extra work, which has been rendered throughout the crossguard bird, but I’ll get to that in a minute. The pommel is the early brass variety, having fine oak leaves running around the perimeter. There are 14 of them, and many of them show hand enhancing. The silvering is just beginning to thin a little over the upper areas, but at the lower points the silvering is fine. This pommel top also shows some mild usage. The crossguard bird is the same as page 57, with the exception, the tops of the wings have hand done feathering. This is a nice touch, and gives a deluxe look to the bird. The unique bird has a very pointy beak, and the details to his head, cross-checkered breast, wing feathering, wreath, and raised swastika are still excellent. The reverse has been professionally engraved with the original owner’s surname. Unfortunately, it is quite a common name negating any research on this officer. It is, “Müller”. The lettering is the Gothic type, and is beautifully rendered.

The grip is a pretty orange popsicle color. It is the early “slant” type, which we seldom see. The grip is nearly perfect on the obverse, having a hairliner, which runs down from the top along the right edge, and a little bit into the 4th and 5th rib. This hairliner is hardly noticeable, however. There is also a small one at the lower right edge, down by the ferrule. But from the obverse, none of this shows. The scabbard is also a textbook SMF type. The scabbard is straight throughout, but does have some mild age in the surfaces. The silvering is showing some wear, particularly along the edges. The oak leaf bands have good hand rendering throughout. The throat is retained by two flush-mount headless screws.

The blade of this example is still mostly bright. It shows a little bit of smudge in the surfaces, which someone has mostly removed a while ago. The needle-like tip is still there, and all-in-all, the blade grades at about excellent plus. The reverse is marked with the well known seated king trademark. The king holds a sword pointing upwards, while he sits on the initials of the firm, “SMF”. Below, in an arch shape, is the location town of, “Solingen”. The large style leather washer is in place.

A pretty nice example here, of a rarely seen Army type, and the personalization also makes it nice.

Paying $350

This Paul Weyersberg Army Dagger is of initial production. The hilt mounts are constructed of brass and retain all of the original silvering.

The pommel shows only minor traces of wear to the rim and upper surface. It is the style with fourteen oak leaves, and each of these leaves shows evidence of fine hand enhancement.

The crossguard eagle is a great looking bird. It retains full detailing throughout the eye and beak, was well as to the cross checkering on the breast. The wings, wreath and vaulted swastika are also finely rendered.

The grip of this dagger is the “slant” type which we only see on early production pieces. Looking under the portepee I can see there is a very small chip on the reverse of the grip, but it is totally hidden by the knot. The rest of the grip is totally perfect and is a dark shade of orange.

Wrapped about the hilt is what appears to be the original portepee. This knot is tied in the early style and is pretty much set in place. It shows some minor fray on the areas where rubs against the dagger, but overall it it still in good condition. It is neat to see on in the early tie.

The scabbard shell is constructed of brass and remains completely dent-free. This scabbard has very fine pebbled panels and beautifully rendered oak leaves on the carrying bands. The throat is retained by a pair of headless screws.

The blade of the dagger is a plated example, something we see on early pieces. The nickel plating is still bright and good, and although there is a minor amount of smudge in the surfaces it is not bad. The tip remains needle-like. The reverse is etched with the Weyersberg Wreathed Sword trademark and the original small brown blade buffer is in place.

A very fine Army Dagger here, in a very rare pattern.

Paying $250

 

This Plumacher Army Dagger is the first of its type that I have seen. The Plümacher trademark is quite rare; when coupled with the early mounts on this piece it is extremely rare. All of the original silvering remains 100% intact.

The mounts are unlike  most others I’ve seen in that they have been extraordinarily finished. The pommel is a fine, fourteen leaf variety, in good condition with only minor traces of usage. It is deeply patinated and all of the oak leaves have been hand-enhanced.

The crossguard has absolutely outstanding detail. Each of the eagle’s wings has obvious hand work on all three segments. This work is quite beautiful and it must have taken an enormous amount of time and work to accomplish. The head is very well defined, with a large eye and a half-open beak. The breast feathering is very closely checkered and well done. The talons are large than most and also have hand work. They clutch a large, hand-enhanced wreathed swastika. A most interesting crossguard here.

The grip is a very fine, deep orange color, slightly lighter on the reverse. It remains in perfect condition throughout.

The scabbard is also in choice condition, being completely straight and having matching patination. The pebbled panels are quite strong and the bands have a nice look to them, with hand-enhanced veins on the oak leaves. The throat is retained by a single headless screw set into the reverse.

The blade is in fine condition and is just about fully mint, with totally intact crossgrain. There are a couple of minor age signs but they are really nothing. The reverse ricasso is etched with the very rarely seen Plümacher trademark; a pyramid having what looks like an exclamation point in the center, along with the name ad location of the firm. Oddly the original blade buffer on this dagger is constructed of green felt. It looks to have always been present and might just be a design peculiarity of the Plümacher firm and the time it was produced.

A very rare Army Dagger here, perfect for those of you collecting Army trademarks.

Paying $300

This Höller Army Dagger has textbook mounts throughout, with a deep patination. it does not appear to have been cleaned since the war.  The hilt mounts retains 100% of the original silvering.

The pommel shows little wear on the upper edges and has no hits to the rim. The twelve standing oak leaves are all nicely done and show hand-enhancement. The ferrule is a standard Höller type. The crossguard has a very fine eagle, having a great noble look about it. It has closely checkered breast feathering and fine wing details, as well as crisp talons and wreathed mobile swastika.

The grip is a light, egg yolk color and it remains in perfect condition.

The scabbard is straight throughout and retains 100% of the silvering. There is also some of the original lacquer still present between the bands. This scabbard is identical to the example shown on pages 35 and 36 of my Army Book. The bands have fine enhancing to the leaves. The thick scabbard throat is retained by a single headless screw set into the reverse.

Between the carrying bands is a piece of paper that looks to have been there for many, many years. it more than likely has the name of the original owner on it, as well as his assignment. Unfortunately the writing is difficult to make out, but perhaps the next owner could really scrutinize it and unravel the mystery. To me it looks something like “Lothar Gobrin” but I could be wrong. There is also what might be an address in the center but I’m not sure. This is an very interesting piece of ephemera, although it could be easily removed by the next owner if so desired. It’s your call but I don’t think there is any question that this additional has been there since the war.

The blade is a outstanding example and nearly mint, with full crossgraining and a needle-like tip. The Thermometer trademark is also smaller and more delicate that we normally seen from Höller, probably due to the early vintage. The grading on the thermometer are so tiny it seems impossible that they are etched, but there they are! The original large leather buffer is in place and in new-like condition.

A very nice and interesting Höller example here.

Paying $280

This Eickhorn Army Dagger is of initial production and is in very nice condition. The dagger is patinated and really looks terrific.

The early brass pommel retains excellent plating and shows only mild traces of wear on the top. Each and every one of the 14 standing oak leaves has hand-enhancement. 

The crossguard eagle could not be nicer, showing virtually no wear. It retains full detailing on the head and hand checkered breast feathering, as well as to the wings, talons, and wreathed mobile swastika. The reverse of the guard retains complete silvering.

The dagger has an extremely dark orange grip. It is just slightly darker on the reverse and is quite beautiful. There is a tiny chip between the ribs at the center left, and also a minor hairline crack on the bottom obverse. These flaws are extremely minor and easily covered with the addition of a portepee.

The steel scabbard nicely matches the hilt. It is a beauty, completely straight and with the early fine pebbling. The bands are the convex type, with crisp, detailed oak leaves and expertly disguised mold lines. The throat is retained by a single reverse screw.

The early blade is absolutely as nice as they come, mirror bright and in mint condition, with full crossgrain and a needle-like tip. The reverse is etched with the 1933-35 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark. This rodent is seated and holds a nut in his paws, and has a serrated tail. It is quite rare to see Army Daggers with this early logo. The original small brown leather blade washer is in place.

If you are looking for an early EIckhorn Army Dagger, this one will easily fit the bill. A very, very nice example here.

Paying $350

This early Eickhorn Army Dagger is equipped with 1st Style mounts, constructed of brass to include the scabbard.

The brass pommel is a fine example, with 14 standing oak leaves, each with hand-enhancement. The ferrule is the style used early on in the period.

The crossguard is the same as the example I shown on page 24 of my book. The bird retains good detailing throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons, and wreathed mobile swastika. The reverse of the guard has a very simple personalization that looks to have been professionally engraved. It reads, “F.U.”. Whoever this aristocrat was he was obviously no braggart, opting for a very simple personal embellishment. A very nice touch here. It is possible the original owner went on to attain high rank (unless he was killed) as this pieces is very early, purchased in 1935.

The grip is a gorgeous, deep orange color. It has only the tiniest chip on the reverse, but it is very, very minor.

The dagger is complete with what appears to be the original portepee. This portepee is in the 1st Style tie, and although it shows fraying where the cord exits the knot it is in good condition and with much character in my mind.

The scabbard is constructed of brass. It has the early, finely pebbled finish and looks to have been carried a while as there are traces of wear on the lower portion. It still looks presentable, however, and to be expected given the soft brass and length of time the pieces was in service. The bands are the 1st Style, convex type, showing some hadn’t wear but the detail is still mostly visible. This scabbard is so early the throat is retained by a pair of screws, a practice that Eickhorn quickly eliminated in favor of a single screw method.

As luck would have it the blade is very nice. It has a few “in-and-out” marks, but the tip is still needle-like and traces of crossgrain. The reverse is etched with the 1933-35 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark. This rodent is seated and holds a nut in his paws, and has a serrated tail. It is quite rare to see Army Daggers with this early logo. The original small brown leather blade washer is in place.

 

The scabbard is a fine WKC type still having much of the original frosted finish along both of its edges. This scabbard is in choice condition and easily rates mint. The scabbard is the same as is shown on page 63, left. The blade of this example is as nice as they come. It is in full mint condition having needlelike tip and all of the crossgraining. The reverse ricasso is dark etched with the knighthead logo which is positioned above the maker’s name and location, “WKC Solingen”. The original large size leather blade buffer is in place.

A very nice dagger here.

Mint Minus. $795.00

AOD #36218C Personalized Army Officer’s Dagger Belonging to German Cross Winner – Carl Eickhorn

This beautiful dagger is a textbook Eickhorn, example having all 2nd style mounts. The dagger is identical to the example that I show in my Army Bookon page 25. The fitting of this dagger have perfect silvering throughout and have a very desirable deep patination. The pommel has a good crisp rim showing no hits. The upper portion of the pommel is as smooth as new. The pommel features twelve standing oak leaves separated by acorns. The detail is outstanding. The stunning crossguard is identical to page 25. It features the great Paul Kasburg eagle which looks to the viewer’s left. This bird has complete full detail to his brown, eye and beak. This is also true to the breast and wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised mobile swastika.

The reverse of the crossguard is professionally engraved with the original owner’s surname. The name is “Götzel”. The engraving is really catching having outstanding shading and fancy ends to the letters on the “G”. The other letters are also extremely well done having extra curves and straight pieces with a final ending line after the letter “L”. This kind of engraving is just not seen today and in my opinion is an art form in itself. I will talk about the original owner a little further in the description. The grip is a pristine example having a very alluring tangerine orange color. It is just the slightest bit darker on the obverse than it is on the reverse. It is in perfect condition throughout. The original-to-the-piece portepee is wrapped in place about the hilt. This portepee shows a little usage and just some slight fray where the cord comes out of the knot, but overall it is in fine condition and gives great character to this dagger. A wonderful hilt here!

The scabbard is also just the best. It is the second style and it is patinated matching the hilt. It is interesting to note that the upper portion of the scabbard still has nearly all of the original frosting where it has been protected by the in place crossguard. There are also frosting signs along both edges as well as around the carrying bands. The pebble pattern remains crisp throughout the panels and the carrying bands reflect choice raised oak leaves and acorns. The thicker style throat is a textbook example and is retained by a flatter style head placed in the middle of the reverse upper scabbard area. This scabbard can not be beat.

The blade, as we would hope, is as good as the rest of the dagger. This blade is flat out mint with all the original grain and needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 logo. It features a squirrel facing to the left holding a downward pointing sword. Above the animal is the quality word, “original” and below is the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn / Solingen”. The original small style blade washer is in place protecting this beautiful mint blade.

I looked in my Army Officer rank list and could not find the name “Götzel”. I then looked on the internet and now realize why I could not find Götzel on the rank list and that is because he was not an officer. This man was a highest ranking sergeant. His name was Oberfeldwebel Herman Götzel. According to the listing on the internet Götzel won the German Cross in gold on 20.01.1945. He was a member of the 70th infantry division and was assigned to the Third Grenadier regiment 401. With this information a whole career record could be put together for Götzel. Since there are no other officers with this name and only one high sergeant there is no doubt that I have identified this dagger correctly. A great opportunity here for a history minded collector to begin a full research project on this piece. What a great display it would make together with an appropriate conditioned German Cross in gold!

Paying $400+

 

This dagger was put together here in our workshop. It originates from a blade that I bought many years ago and have been saving for a time when it could be properly restored. The original veteran owner had cut about three inches of the blade off, just below the Voos etch. It thought it would be a good blade to buy in spite of this, as I was sure it could be restored one day.

We ere able to weld a tip from another blade on to this example and have done the best we can to marry it up with the original etch pattern. Unfortunately the original cut went into the floral etch pattern so that portion is missing. Other than this, however, the Voos etch is spectacular, with a 100% intact frosted background. The obverse center of the blade has an open-winged eagle and swastika with sprigs of oak leaves underneath. The reverse of the blade has more fine floral patterns, and is stamped with the Snake & Stump trademark of the Voos firm.

We put fittings on the blade that are appropriate for a Voos dagger. They consist of a generic “A” pommel and a generic “B” guard. You can see a dagger with the same hilt.

We added a nice orange grip and a fine silvered scabbard as well. The scabbard retains 100% silvering and is totally free of dents, dings, or lifting. The bands have excellent oak leaves and the throat is retained by dome head screws. These screws are set quite low in the scabbard, but this is certainly no sin.

An opportunity here to acquire an original double etched Voos Army Dagger for a drastically reduced retail price.

Paying $375

This Army Officer’s Dagger is a very desirable, initial production example. Christianwerk did not make any of there own fittings; the mounts used on this piece were purchased from the E. Pack firm.

The pommel is in nice condition, showing only minor wear at the top and with no hits on the rim. This pommel features 14 standing oak leaves, each one having interesting hand-enhancement. The ferrule is also a fine, early example and matches nicely.

The crossguard features an early brass eagle with hand checkering throughout the breast, eye and feathering. The bird grasps a crisp wreath with a raised swastika.

The grip is an attractive shade of dark orange and is the “slant” type. It is in totally perfect condition and very desirable. When we see these “slant” grips we know the blade tang with have straight edges as opposed to the tapered style that was used later on in the period.

The scabbard is also a Pack example. It is nice and straight throughout and retains good, crisp pebbling. Pack scabbards are easily identified by the wider edges used on the bands. These bands have hand-enhancement cleverly concealing the mold line. The silvering is 100% intact on this scabbard. The throat is retained by a pair of dome head side screws.

The blade of this dagger is also a beauty. It has all of the crossgrain and a needle-like tip, with a nice, bright finish. It is easily in mint condition. The reverse ricasso of the blade is deeply etched with the interesting Meat Fork trademark of the Christianwerk firm. The original large leather blade washer is in place.

If you are a collector of rare and/or early daggers, this piece would make a welcome addition to your collection.

Paying $350

This Army Officer’s Dagger is a real beauty, being in an uncleaned state. The dagger retains 100% of the original silvering throughout the mounts and scabbard. The hilt most are the last type used by Eickhorn.

The choice pommel cap on this dagger has a completely clean rim, with no dings. The upper portion of the pommel is smooth and has not hits. The twelve standing oak leaves ringing the pommel are crisply rendered.

The crossguard has an outstanding Eickhorn eagle, with open wings and looking to the left. This eagle is completely crisp and mint, with fine feathering, wreath and raised swastika. The reverse of the guard is in similarly outstanding condition. There are traces of the original frosting around the quillons of this dagger.

The grip of the dagger is deep, appealing orange color, fading just slightly on the reverse. It is in very choice condition.

Tied about the hilt of this dagger is an outstanding, original 42cm aluminum portepee. This portepee is set in place and has no fraying anywhere.

The 2nd Style scabbard is straight throughout and retains much of the original frosting, especially around the bands and throat. This scabbard is nicely patinated and is a real beauty, equipped with a fat throat which is retained by a single flat screw in the reverse.

The blade of this dagger is as nice as they come, with 100% of the original crossgrain and a needle-like tip; it is easily in full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original brown leather blade washer is in place.

If you are looking for a fine, mint Eickhorn Army Officer’s dagger that you will never have to upgrade, this is the piece for you!

Mint. $1,295.00(#080917)

AOD #39147C Late Army Officer’s Dagger with Portepee & Hangers – C. Gustav Spitzer

This wartime produced Army Officer’s Dagger has the later nickel finish throughout. The pommel and crossguard on this piece are the generic “A” style.

The pommel still has 95% of the original silvering and does not look to have ever been cleaned. The rim is crisp, as are the twelve standing oak leaves that run around the circumference.

The crossguard has a very fine, generic “A” eagle, totally free of wear and very crisp throughout. The ferrule is the type used with these generic mounts.

The grip of the dagger is an off-white color, most likely a plaster filled type. There is a mark on the center rib which, at first glance, looks like a crack. It is not, however, more likely being a scar from something rubbing against the surface. The rest of the grip is totally free of flaws.

The original 42cm portepee is on the dagger, still set in the period tie. There is quite of but of fraying on the cord where it exits the knot, but this is to be expected and it does not detract from the look of the dagger.

The matching scabbard shows some mild age throughout but most of the silvering remains intact, only thinning slightly on the edges. The scabbard bands are in good condition, featuring the standard motif of overlapping oak leaves. The throat is retained by a pair of dome head side screws.

Attached to the rings is the original set of hangers. They have fairly good brocaded, showing some age and usage with just a hint of fraying along the edges. The reverse of the straps also show some minor wear to the velvet. These straps are equipped with silvered mounts, the top clip being a plain, closed type. The silver buckles and slides have the standard motif of oak leaves, as does the deluxe “push up” style snaps. These snaps are decorated with oak leaves and are marked “DRGM” on the reverse of each.

The mint blade makes up for many of the minor shortcomings seen on the outside of the dagger. It is in choice condition throughout, with full crossgrain and a needle-like tip. The reverse is marked with the seldom seen Prancing Lion trademark of the Spitzer firm; the splendid, rearing cat has a curled tail and a flickering tongue. The original brown leather blade washer is in place.

A good, untouched Army piece here if you want a piece that was obviously worn and used during the period.

Paying $350

This Pack-produced Army Dagger is of a fairly late vintage but still has good silvered mounts.

The upper surfaces of the pommel are good, as is the rim which shows only hints of carrying time. The standing oak leaves have hand-enhancing throughout the veins.

The crossguard features the standard Pack eagle, which looks to the left and retains full detailing throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, et cetera.

The reverse of the guard bears a professionally engraved monogram, “WB”. The engraving is done with dual scribed lines with shading in between. The two periods on the monogram are diamond shaped. A very nice personalization here!

The grip of this dagger is a glass type and, amazingly, it is in perfect condition. It is rare to see a glass grip that is free of cracks and chips. It is a very pleasing amber color.

The ferrule is a standard type, with a silver finish.

The scabbard is a typical Pack type, with excellent pebbled panels. The scabbard bands are the style that are slightly concave, a design trait often see on Pack pieces. The throat is retained by a pair of dome head screws.

The blade is a very fine example. It is in mint condition, being bright and with full crossgrain. The reverse ricasso of the blade is marked with the large sized Hammering Siegfried trademark used after 1938. The original brown leather blade washer is in place.

A fine, personalized Army example here.

Near Mint. $1,295.00

AOD #38998C Army Officer’s Dagger with Distributor Mark – Carl Eickhorn

This Army Officer’s Dagger is a textbook example, have the final style of fittings used by this prestigious firm. The silvering is perfect throughout this dagger, having a very nice patina.

The pommel is in fine condition, having no hits to the rim and no surface wear to the top. The twelve standing oak leaves are nice and crisp with hand-enhanced veins. The crossguard eagle is as nice as you will see; the bird looks to the left and has extremely fine detailing throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swastika. The ferrule is the standard type we see with these last style fittings.

The grip is a most beautiful pumpkin orange, being in perfect condition and totally uniform in color throughout.

The scabbard matches the vintage of the hilt parts. It is nice and straight and has finely pebbled panels. There are some traces of silver frosting in the areas protected by the carrying bands. The rest of the silvering is 100% intact throughout the scabbard. The bands feature overlapping oak leaves and the throat is the thicker type, retained by a single screw in the reverse center.

Although the blade is still nice and bright with a needle-like tip it does have some minor spotting on both sides, roughly a third of the way down the length. Beyond this the blade is in very good condition.

What is interesting about this blade, though, is the fact that it has a rarely seen distributor mark on the obverse ricasso. It is marked “Peter Kolb, Amberg”. This is a small town just to the east of Nuremberg. Apparently Kolb made a deal with Eickhorn to sell daggers in his shop, and as such found is name and location on the blades. The reverse of the dagger is marked with the standard manner, having the 1935-41 Squirrel trademark. The original blade washer is in place.

This Army Dagger is a great example for those of you that enjoy collecting all of the different types that were available during the period. There is a distributor marking identical to this dagger shown on an Eickhorn dagger in my Army Book, on page 125.

Paying $300

This Army Officer’s Dagger is in very fine condition throughout and is from a maker we don’t see very often. The dagger is equipped with fine silvered mounts, all completely intact and with perfect patination.

The pommel is the generic type, free of any damage to the upper surface or the rim. The twelve standing oak leaves are crisp. The crossguard is a beautiful generic “A” example which retains very fine detailing throughout. The ferrule nicely matches the mounts.

The grip is a high quality white example in perfect condition throughout.

The scabbard is nice and straight with perfect silvering that matches the hilt. The pebbled panels remain very crisp. The bands are in the style usually associated with the E. Pack firm. They are slightly convex, and feature the usual overlapping oak leaves. The throat is secured with a pair of dome head screws, positioned slightly lower than we normally see them, also a Pack trait. Obviously a small firm like Kolping did not fabricate their own parts and must have acquired them from E. Pack.

The blade is a first-rate example, completely bright and with a needle-like tip. All of the crossgraining is intact and it is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with both the name and location of the “H. Kolping Solingen”, and a logo of a beer stein marked with the letters “HK” inside of an “S”. The original small leather blade washer is new-like and in place.

A rarely seen maker marking here, a good one for the type collector.

Paying $350

This Army Officer’s Dagger is in outstanding condition and reflects the fine craftsmanship that we normally associate with the Eickhorn firm.

The pommel is a beauty, with no hits to the top area and with quite a bit of frosting left on the top edge. The twelve standing oak leaves are all hand enhanced and remain crisp.

The crossguard is the 2nd Style, and it too is extremely crisp. The eagle has outstanding detail to the head and beak, as well as the breast and wing feathering. The bird grasps a wreathe with a vaulted mobile swastika and black backgrounds. The silvering throughout these fittings is perfect, with a fine matching ferrule.

The grip is a beautiful shade of tangerine and is in perfect condition. The original portepee is in place, being the style with a thick cord. There is some fraying where the cord exits the knot, but the rest remains in perfect condition.

The matching 2nd Style scabbard is also very nice, perfectly straight and with very crisp pebbled panels. The bands feature overlapping oak leaves and acorns and the thick throat is retained by a single flat screw in the reverse center.

The mint blade could not be any better; it is mirror bright and retains a needle-like tip. The reverse is deeply etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original leather blade buffer is in place.

A very fine Eickhorn example here that is priced to sell.

Near Mint. $995.00

AOD #37955C Early Army Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

This very fine Eickhorn Army Dagger is of initial production; it has two side screws in the scabbard, a design trait that existed only for a very short time. As we know Eickhorn used one screw set into the reverse center shortly after going into the Army Dagger business.

The mounts are fantastic in that they all have much of the original frosting still on them. The pommel is a brass-based 1st Style. It has remarkable standing oak leaves and acorns running around the circumference. Each and every leaf has a hand-applied vein in the center. The upper pommel is nearly 100% frosted and has no hits to the rim. The ferrule is an outstanding 1st Style. The upper arms of the crossguard as well as the turned quillon ends retain much of the original frosting. It is very rare to see an initial production dagger remaining in this kind of condition. Needless to say the guard eagle is totally crisp throughout.

The grip of this dagger is a very attractive light shade of orange, perfectly uniform in tone and in perfect condition.

The early scabbard is not the brass type. It does, as mentioned above, have two screws retaining the throat, a feature only seen on very early Eickhorn scabbards. The bands are the convex type, decorated with outstanding hand-enhanced oak leaves.

The blade of this dagger is a stone mint, perfect example with full grain and a needle-like tip. The reverse ricasso is deeply etched with the famous 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original small brown leather blade washer is in place.

A real beauty here, of earliest vintage. The original owner either took extremely good care of it or never wore it at all.

Paying $280

This remarkably well preserved Army example retains frosting on all of the mounts. It is an interesting dagger in that the parts are all the 2nd Style Eickhorn, with the sole exception of the generic “A” pattern crossguard. I have seen several Eickhorn daggers with this same anomaly. It simply means Eickhorn ran short of guards at one point and was forced to order some generic guards which they finished themselves.

The guard has frosting on the upper area, throughout the quillons and also in the recesses of the eagle. This frosting matches that seen on the top as well as on the protected areas of the scabbard, so there is no question the dagger was built this way. . This guard is a generic “A” type and is in perfect, pristine condition, with full detailing through the eagle.

The pommel is in perfect condition, showing no wear to the top and with no hits to the rim. The standing oak leaves and acorns are in fine condition. The ferrule is the 2nd Style, and also has frosting remaining on it.

The grip of this dagger is a very pretty lemon color, which is unusual to see as this shade usual turns orange when exposed to sunlight over a period of years. This dagger must have been extremely well cared for!

The 2nd Style scabbard is a beauty, being 100% mint and with frosting clinging to the edges, bands, and throat. The bands have excellent overlapping oak leaves. The thick throat is retained by a flat screw in the center reverse.

The blade is pristine, with a needle-like tip and 100% of the original crossgrain. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the iconic 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original small brown leather blade washer is in place.

A very fine Eickhorn Army Dagger here; this is an excellent example for the “type” collector.

Mint. $1,075.50

AOD #37954C Army Officer’s Dagger with Double Etched Blade

This double etched Army Dagger is a classic example, identical to the example I show in my Army Book

The hilt mounts are the generic “A” type. The pommel is in excellent condition, with choice silvering and a smooth top. The rim has a couple of minor signs of wear but they are negligible. The standing oak leaves are in fine condition with hand engraved veins. The ferrule is the proper example for the generic mounts.

The “A” pattern crossguard is a beauty, with perfect silvering throughout. The eagle has full detail throughout the head, eye, breast and wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika.

The grip is a most pleasing deep orange and is in perfect condition throughout.

The scabbard is pristine, with full silvering and totally free of dents. The panels are choice and crisp, and the oak leaf bands are perfect down to the hand engraved accents. The throat is retained by two flat head side screws.

The blade is in choice, full mint condition. 100% of the original nickel plating is intact from the ricasso to the needle-like tip. This blade has frosted backgrounds on both sides, with a beautiful floral panel with an open center. There is an open-winged eagle and swastika with oak leaf sprigs beneath each wing. The reverse has a full floral treatment. The original small brown leather blade washer is intact and in place.

These unmarked etched blades often have thicker threads than we see on a typical Voos blade, and that is the case here. This example has the same thread pattern as the piece shown on page 134, with the tang having a pointed tip. If you are looking for an unmarked double etched blade, this dagger is just about the best you could find. It is in fantastic condition and deserves a place of honor in your collection.

Mint. $3,595.50

AOD #37951C Early Army Officer’s Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

This Army Dagger is in very choice condition throughout; it is uncleaned and has and outstanding, even patination across the surfaces.

The pommel is the 2nd Style, with much of the original frosting around the rim of the upper edge. The rim is in fine condition, with no signs of any hits. The standing oak leaves are nicely done, each having fine hand-enhanced details.

The ferrule and the crossguard are the 1st Style. The guard is outstanding, with full detailing crisp throughout the bird. Like the pommel the crossguard has remnants of frosting clinging to the upper surfaces are well as on the turned quillon ends.

The grip is an extremely dark shade of orange and very pleasing to the eye. This grip is in perfect condition, and the rich orange color is beautifully complemented by the dark patina seen on the mounts.

The scabbard is the 1st Style, completely dent free and with the early, closely pebbled panels. The bands are the convex type, with very fine, hand-enhanced oak leaves. The throat on this earlier is not the later, fatter type, and is held in place by a single flat head screw in the reverse center.

The highest quality blade is in stone mint condition. This blade has a needle-like tip and 100% of the original crossgrain. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the familiar 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original small leather blade buffer is in place.

A very desirable early Eickhorn Army Dagger here.

Paying $450

This Höller Army Dagger is a classic example, retaining much of the original frosting spread throughout all of the mounts.

The pommel is in excellent condition, with nearly 100% frosting across the upper areas. The standing oak leaves and acorns are also in excellent, crisp condition.

I personally like the Höller crossguard better than any other manufacturer; I believe the Höller eagle was the very best design made and is very pleasing to the eye. Like the pommel this eagle retains much of the original frosting.

The glass grip of this dagger is also a beauty, being a deep amber. It is almost completely perfect but for a minuscule crack at the lower right segment and an extremely small chip between the segments halfway up the grip. I cannot overempasize how minute these flaws are, and the grip is otherwise perfect.

There is a fine original 42cm aluminum portepee attached to this dagger, showing some age but with no fraying.

The scabbard is the generic style frequently see with Höller daggers. This scabbard also retains most of the original frosting on its surfaces. It is perfectly straight with crisp panels and excellent oak leaves on the bands. The throat is retained by a single headless screw set in the reverse center.

The blade of this dagger is in pristine mint condition throughout, with a needle-like tip and 100% of the original crossgraining. The reverse is darkly etched with the famous Höller Thermometer logo, with 17 tiny hash marks on either side of the main scale. The original small, brown pebbled leather blade washer is in place. The original small brown leather blade washer is in place.

If you do not have a glass gripped Army Dagger in you collection, this piece represents an excellent opportunity to correct this shortcoming. A very exciting Army piece in nearly top condition here.

Paying $400

This wartime production Army Officer’s Dagger remains in nice condition. The hilt has the later style fittings, with nickel-plated surfaces instead of the silver type. The mounts are the generic “A” style. The pommel has not hits to the rim and all of the nickel plating is intact throughout the upper surface. The oak leaves around the circumference are nicely placed, and the pommel eagle is finely detailed throughout. The ferrule exactly matches the pommel and guards.

The grip is a light orange, fading slightly to an almost egg-yolk yellow on the reverse. This grip remains in perfect condition.

The scabbard is also a generic type, but this one has a good silver-plated surface. The silvering is 100% intact, and has toned quite darkly. The scabbard has good pebbled panels and the oak leaf bands remains quite crisp. The throat is the thinner type, retained by a single headless crew in the reverse center.

The blade of this example is in very choice condition, bright throughout and retaining a needle-like tip. It also has an appealing wider segment to the geometry of the blade. The original large leather washer is in place within the crossguard.

A good, late production Army example here.

Excellent Plus, Plus. $695.00

AOD #37748 Army Officer’s Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

This Carl Eickhorn Army Dagger is in mint condition. It sports the 2nd Style fittings, being completely textbook.

The 2nd Style pommel is a beauty, with a completely clean upper pommel and some frosting clinging to the recessed areas. The twelve standing oak leaves are shot through with acorns, and all are in great condition. The base area of the pommel retains the original frosting. The ferrule and crossguard are both the 2nd Style. The eagle is in remarkably preserved condition, with frosting that covers almost the entire design. It could just not be any better, with striking deatil throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swastika.

The 2nd Style scabbard is also in the same fine condition. It is straight throughout and has frosting evident around the bands, throat and upper surfaces. The panels are as crisp as the day they were made, and the carrying bands have a wonderful pattern of overlapping oak leaves. The thick throat is retained by a flat screw in the center reverse.

As we would hope the blade is also in the same superior condition; it is in a fully mint state with a bright mirror finish. All of the original crossgrain is intact and the tip is needle-like. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the familiar 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original brown blade washer is in place within the guard.

A beautiful, mint condition Army Dagger here.

Paying $350

Carl Eickhorn

This early Army Officer’s Dagger is quite beautiful, having never been cleaned and with a fine, dark, evenly patinated surface throughout.

The pommel is in choice, perfect condition, with no wear to the top area. The crossguard of this piece could not be better; all of the detail to the bird’s head, breast and wing feathering, talons, wreath and swastika is present and crisp.

The grip is a very pleasing light orange color and it remains in perfect condition.

The scabbard is also in totally perfect condition, with 100% of the original silvering. The panels are crisply pebbled and the carrying bands are decorated with very fine overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The thick throat is retained by a flat head screw placed in the reverse center.

The beautiful blade is totally mint, with full crossgrain and a fine, needle-like tip. The reverse ricasso of the blade is etched with the familiar 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original brown leather blade washer is in place.

If you are looking to just buy one Army Dagger this example should work for you; it would be extremely difficult to upgrade.

Paying $250

This late production Army Officer’s Dagger is in top condition throughout. It is finished in the gray tones which were used after the war began, when silver became next to impossible to obtain. This does not mean there is any lack of quality, however, as the workmanship is terrific throughout this piece. The mounts are all the 2nd Style, the same as those shown in my Army Book on pages 25 and 26.

The pommel is in outstanding condition, having no signs of wear on the upper areas or hits to the rim. The standing oak leaves are crisp throughout. The 2nd Style ferrule is and excellent example, and the crossguard below is in perfect condition. The bird retains full detail throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika.

Providing a fine contrast to the gray mounts is the fine, tangerine colored grip. This grip is in totally perfect condition.

The standard 2nd Style scabbard is as straight as an arrow and shows virtually no wear whatsoever. It has very crisply pebbled panels and excellent oak leaves and acorns on the carrying rings. The thick throat is retained by a single flat head screw mounted in the reverse center.

The blade of this dagger is still bright, although there is a small amount of smudge on the obverse as well as on the area near the trademark. Beyond this it is nearly mint, with a needle-like tip and full crossgraining. This blade is stamped with the very rarely seen Eickhorn “Over the Shoulder” Squirrel trademark. The squirrel looks, as the name would suggest, over his shoulder, and is seated above the words “Original”, “Eickhorn”, and “Solingen”. The original small brown blade washer is in place.

If you are looking for a late Eickhorn example with a gray finish and the variant trademark, this is piece for you. It is very rare to see Army Daggers with this logo.

Near Mint. $1,295.00

AOD #37932C Personalized Army Officer’s Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

This Eickhorn Army Officer’s Dagger has the 2nd Style mounts, with still quite a but of frosting remaining on the silvered parts.

The pommel shows minor traces of carrying time on the upper end, but still has frosting around the edges. The 12 standing oak leaves are in excellent condition, all having hand enhancement. The ferrule and crossguard eagle are the 1st Style, as shown on page 24 of my book. The eagle has quite a bit of frosting clinging to the recessed areas as well as the upper arms of the guards. It shows virtually no wear and retains full, crisp detailing throughout.

On the reverse there is the name of the original owner, professionally engraved. There is a little but of lifting where are got under the plating after the engraving but the letters are still nice and clear throughout. It reads “Dr. med. Fr. Schilling”. I tried looking this doctor up, but was unable to locate his records. Researching his identity could be a gratifying project for the next owner of this dagger.

The grip of this dagger is a very pleasing deep orange color and remains in perfect condition.

The 2nd Style scabbard is the same as the example shown on page 25 of my book. This scabbard is as straight as an arrow and retains crisp pebbling. Like the dagger there is also frosting clinging around the bands as well as to the area protected by the crossguard. The bands are quite fine, with good, crisp overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The throat is the thick style and is retained by a single flat head screw set into the center.

The blade of this dagger is in stone mint condition. The mirror finish of this blade retains 100% of the original crossgrain and has a needle-like tip. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the familiar 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the small leather blade washer is in place.

A very fine, personalized Army Officer’s Dagger here, with great potential for additional research.

Near Mint. $1,595.00

AOD #37360 Army Officer’s Dagger – WKC

This WKC Army Officer’s Dagger is textbook throughout, looking identical to the example I show in my Army Book on pages 63, 64 and 66.

The pommel of this dagger is in excellent condition, showing a little wear around the rim but nothing bad. The silvering is completely intact throughout this pommel. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed and have good black backgrounds. The ferrule is the same as the piece shown on page 66, as is the “Hatchet Beak” crossguard.

The crossguard retains full silvering and has a fine patination. The details throughout the characteristic WKC eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swastika. The grip is a very pretty, deep orange color, with a reverse grip that has toned to an even darker shade. This grip is in perfect condition throughout.

The scabbard is a fine WKC example, with all of the silvering and much of the frosting along the edges. This straight scabbard has very crisp, finely grained panels. The carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, with hand enhancing evident on each of the leaves. The throat is the thicker style and is held in place by a single flat head screw on the upper right edge.

The Mint blade is nice and bright throughout, having all of the original crossgrain. It is interesting as the center segment drifts slightly off to the right. We see this a lot on later daggers, and it is nothing to be concerned about, It was caused by the polisher being a little off at the time he finished the blade. The needle-like tip is still intact. The reverse ricasso is etched with the Knight Head trademark of the WKC firm, and a large size leather blade washer is in place.

An excellent, textbook WKC Army Officer’s Dagger here.

Near Mint. $995.00

AOD #36197C Early Army Officer’s Dagger with Damascus Blade – Gustav Häker

This early Army Officer’s Dagger is of initial production, and apparently its original owner appreciated the quality and beauty of a Damascus blade and ordered it with his dagger. He also had his monogram engraved on the crossguard. Obviously this officer was either high ranking or a man of wealth or possibly both.

The hilt mounts are all of silvered solid nickel. They are the early style as produced by the E. Pack and Company. The crossguard is identical to the example I show on page 50 of my Army Book. The pommel is the same early solid brass type as is shown on page 53. This pommel shows a little hand wear around the pommel rim but no hits. The top of the pommel shows some carrying time but no problems. This pommel is the style that is equipped with fourteen standing oak leaves that run around the circumference of the pommel’s outside. The leaves all show some hand enhancing as to their veins. The crossguard is about in the same condition as the example that is shown on page 50. This Pack eagle is a good looking bird featuring the head turning to the viewer’s left with hand enhanced breast feathering. The breast feathering shows some mild wear particularly in the center area as does the head. The wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika however are still in choice condition.

The reverse of the crossguard is engraved with the original owner’s monogram, “W.B”. The engraving is professionally done having both initials with shading in the center area. Both of these mounts have fine silvering with very deep patination. The ferrule is an early type matching the book piece on page 53. As we would expect on an early piece this example is equipped with a “slant” grip. This grip is a fine orange color being in totally perfect condition. The ribs on these slant grips have a very deep separation line and there is much dirt and residue of the period that is still trapped in these recesses.

The hilt is decorated with the original-to-the-piece portepee. This aluminum portepee has a slight fray where the cord comes out of the original knot but otherwise it is in excellent condition. The scabbard is also a fine early example having the finer pebbled panels only seen on early pieces. The scabbard is straight throughout showing mild carrying time but still having 100% of the deeply patinated silver plating. The bands are in fine condition also having extensive hand enhancing to the veins. The throat is retained by two flatter head side screws which are positoned slightly lower than norm, a typical Pack trait.

Now to the best part of this outstanding dagger. The blade is a wonderful maidenhair pattern, having some interesting round swirls in the center areas. The pattern is extremely prominent and still remains in mint condition with a needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is raised etched with the very rarely seen trademark featuring the mountaineer with a pick slung over his left shoulder. The raised logo has 100% gilt to its features. Below the mountaineer in an upward pointing arch manner are the capital letters of the firm and the location city, “Gust. Häker / Solingen”. Since Häker was a very small producer, the original purchaser of this fine dagger went into their offices and had this piece custom ordered. Häker would have purchased the mounts from E. Pack who was a known supplier of early fittings to other producers.

Looking at the tang of the dagger it is stamped, “Echter / Damescener”, however most of the letters from the word “Damescener” were ground off during the fitting process of the grip and crossguard. Also on the tang in an oval design are the maker’s initials, “AM”. This is the marking of Paul Müller’s father who may have made the blade or Paul Müller himself could have also made the blade as it is known that he did use his father’s trademark up until the years until he became one of Germany’s best known Damask smiths on his own. There is a brown leather blade washer protecting this outstanding example.

To me this is a very, very desirable dagger because of the fact that is it an early maker bearing an early Damask smith’s trademark. It also has survived the last seven decades in outstanding untouched condition. This is a fine dagger to add to an advanced collection and to my way of thinking should be an outstanding investment for the future. I sold this dagger to a collector a couple of years ago and he is now retiring from the hobby and that gives us all a chance once again to possibly acquire this piece for our own collection. An absolute original example here with very desirable characteristics.

Paying $350

This Army Officer’s Dagger recently came in from a veteran family and is totally untouched. All of the silvering is intact throughout, which is unusual on Hörster pieces.

The pommel is a beauty, showing some hand wear around the edges but with no hits. The top surface looks really great with all of the silvering intact and no flaws. The pommel oak leaves are interesting in that this pommel is the style with fourteen leaves instead of the usual twelve. The fine ferrule is identical to the example shown on page 40.

The crossguard is textbook style Hörster, which you can see a closeup of on page 43 of my Army Book. This guard features a very noble eagle who looks to the viewer’s left with very close hand checkered breast feathering. The guard on this dagger is in better shape than the one shown in the book. The detail throughout the design of the bird is really impressive. The silvering is completely perfect on both sides of the guard.

The grip is most pleasing, being a very dark pumpkin orange. It is a solid celluloid type and is in perfect condition. It is just a tad darker in color on the reverse.

The scabbard is very, very fine, being straight throughout and with matching patination. The pebbled pattern is quite fine on this scabbard. The bands are the same as those seen on page 42 of my book. These bands feature overlapping oak leaves with hand done accents. The throat of this example is slightly unusual in that both sides of the throat cantilever over the scabbard edges quite a bit. The screws are also located fairly low; they are the dome head steel type.

The blade is as nice as you will see. It is a real killer, completely mirror bright and with 100% graining in the surfaces. The tip remains needle-like. The reverse of the blade is etched at the ricasso with the same trademark we seen on page 39 of my Army Book. The dagger is complete with the in place, new-like leather washer.

A very fine, untouched Army Dagger here that has never been in a collection.

Untouched Near Mint. $995.00

AOD #37195C Army Officer’s Dagger with Original Portepee – Fridericus

The Fridericus name is one we seldom see on plain Army blades; most collectors know of it from the very desirable double etched examples. This piece is equipped with generic “A” style mounts.

The pommel is a good example, showing minor usage but with no hits to the rim and with a good, smooth surface on the top. The generic “A” crossguard is in excellent condition, being the same as I show on page 79 of my Army Book. You might take a minute and study this page as it shows how close the generic crossguard is to the WKC “hatchet” type. This generic guard shows some minor wear to the edges of the breast feathering, but is otherwise nice and crisp throughout the bird.

The grip of this dagger is an off-white style, which is probably plaster filled. I don’t want to look though, as it can knock plaster loose and we don’t want to do that. The grip remains in perfect concealed and has good character to it.

Wrapped about the grip is the original portepee. This portepee really brings the hilt of this dagger to life. It is tied in a completely non-regulation fashion. It has two full loops around the upper part of the grip which are completely set in place, having been this way for the last seven decades. There is one lower loop at the bottom. There is a minor amount of fraying at the lower area, but still this portepee really talks to you just the way it is. I like this knot a lot and you will too.

The scabbard is a typical generic type. It is in excellent condition, having a fine matching patina and perfect silvering throughout. It features the generic oak leave bands, both in good condition. The throat is retained by two side screws, an indication that Fridericus probably finished this scabbard in-house. Normally the generic types of this model will have a single screw in the center reverse. The blade is a fine example, still being mirror bright throughout. It has most of the crossgrain and would be perfect but for just the tiniest ripple noticeable on the reverse but not much on the obverse. As we see on Fridericus pieces the obverse of the blade is maker marked just below where the swastika wreath ends. It is etched in script “Fridericus / Solingen”. The original small leather washer is in place.

A rarely seen Fridericus Army Officer’s

This Eickhorn piece shows some period wear but no abuse whatsoever. The dagger has the 3rd Style fittings, being the same as I shown in my Army Bookon pages 25 and 26.

The pommel shows some usage and has a few taps on the smooth upper surface, but the rim seems to escaped any damage. The twelve standing oak leaves are crisp with good handwork to the veins. The ferrule is the same as I show on page 25 of my book, as is the fine 3rd Style crossguard. This guard is slightly different than the examples shown on page 24 and 25. It is a transitional piece, having the same head with slightly different breast feathering.

The grip is an attractive, deep orange color and in perfect condition.

The Eickhorn scabbard is the standard type, night and straight and with good pebbled panels on both sides. The carrying bands have good overlapping oak leaves, and the throat is the thicker style retained by a single screw in the reverse center.

The blade of this dagger is nice and bright, with all of the crossgrain and a needle-like tip. There are a few minor signs of age in the metal, but you have to look closely to see them. Overall this blade is in near mint condition. The original brown leather washer is in place.

A good collectible Eickhorn piece here.

Paying $360

 

This early Army Officer’s Dagger is equipped with the 1st Style crossguard, ferrule, and scabbard while having a 2nd Style pommel.

The pommel is a very fine example, still having frosting visible on the upper surfaces. The rim is nice and crisp, and the twelve standing oak leaves all have fine enhancing. The crossguard is the same as the one I show on page 24 of my Army Book. The eagle is in very fine condition, with full detail to his head and the fine checkered breast feathering, as well as the wings, talons, wreath and raised swastika. The ferrule is the 1st Style. This guard also has lots of frosting evident on the top quillon arms.

The grip has toned to a deep pumpkin orange and is in totally perfect condition. A nice hilt here.

The 1st Style scabbard has very fine pebbled panels and is nice and straight. The bands are the convex type, and each and every oak leaf shows evidence of hand enhancement. The throat is a thinner style, retained by a single screw on the center reverse. There is also a large amount of frosting that remains in the areas that were protected by the guards as well as the carrying bands.

The blade is a beauty, completely mirror bright and with 100% of the factory grain. The tip remains needle-like. The reverse has a very dark etched Eickhorn squirrel; the 1935-41 type, featuring the seated animal holding a downward pointing sword. The small sized brown leather blade buffer is in place.

A very fine, investment quality early Army Officer’s Dagger here.

Paying

This Army Officer’s example is a classic Kolping, having the usual white grip that we normally see offered by this producer. It is essentially the same as the dagger and scabbard is show on pages 105 and 106 of my Army Book.

The silvering is in perfect condition throughout this fine piece. The pommel is a beauty, having a perfect top without a trace of use or hits to the rim. It features a design of twelve standing oak leaves interspersed with acorns. The crossguard is a generic “A” variety, and is in remarkable condition with full detailing through the bird, with no wear. The ferrule is the same as the book piece mentioned above.

The grip is an off-white color being slightly darker on the upper sections of the ribs, undoubtedly a result of being held for many years. It has a great look to it, and remains in completely perfect condition.

The scabbard is a generic type, being identical to those shown on pages 105 and 106 of my book. This scabbard has completely perfect silvering with extremely crisp pebbled panels on both sides. The bands have outstanding oak leaves and acorns. The throat has no retaining screw; it was put into place while the scabbard was heated, and was held in place when the metal contracted upon cooling. This is an indication of later production.

The blade is a fine, bright specimen, with a needle-like tip. It has crossgraining throughout the surfaces, and only shows the most minor signs of age. This blade is easily in Mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with double ovals which contain the firm’s name and location, “H. Kolping / Solingen”. Inside is a beer mug with a emblazoned with a large letter “S”. At the upper part of the “S” is a the letter “H” and below the letter “K”. The small-style dark brown leather blade washer is in place.

A very nice Kolping example here; a relatively rare maker to find.

Paying $360

This early Army Officer’s Dagger is not an initial production WKC example, but it was made directly after the period that WKC abandoned the 1st Style crossguard. The dagger exhibits the “Hatchet Beak” eagle but the quality denotes very early manufacture and the scabbard used is the first style; the type with two screws used to retain the throat.

At any rate the pommel is an outstanding example, having a very dark patination matching the rest of the mounts. The rim is still in good condition, with only one or two minor hits. The circumference is decorated with a pattern of twelve standing oak leaves separated by acorns.

The ferrule is the same as the piece I show on page 62 of my Army Book. The “Hatchet Beak” crossguard is the same as the piece I show on page 66 of my Army Book, but somehow this guard has much more quality and detail to the pictured piece. The silvering is absolutely perfect throughout, and there is no wear anywhere on the guard. The bird has very crisp detail throughout.

This dagger dagger is equipped with a most attractive “slant” style grip, which gives the look of having more ribs than the norm. This grip is a deep pumpkin orange throughout, and could not look better against the blackness of the dagger’s patination. The lower portion of the grip has a small hairliner at the right edge and another at the left edge, but they are barely noticeable and if a portepee were put on the dagger would not show at all.

The straight scabbard has a perfect silver finish with outstanding, crisply pebbled panels. The carrying bands are the same as the examples I show on the dagger pictured on page 62 of my Army Book. They have excellent overlapping oak leaves with some hand-enhancing visible. The throat is retained by two dome-head screws. We usually see flatter head screws on the WKC product, but in this instance the dome-heads were used so, like we say in the hobby, you can “never say never”.

The blade is an outstanding example, being mirror-bright and having all of the original crossgraining in the surfaces and retaining the needle-like tip. The reverse ricasso is etched with the WKC knight head logo, along with the name of the firm and the location, “Solingen”. The original brown leather blade buffer is in place.

Paying $360

– Robert Klaas

This Klaas example is in untouched condition, and is one of the early forms that we rarely see.

This examples features a fine pommel, with twelve standing oak leaves. These leaves have hand-enhancement throughout. The rim of the pommel has a couple of extremely minor hits, but the upper surface is still choice with 100% silvering.

The crossguard eagle is beautifully rendered. The head of the bird shows hand-enhancing to the eye and beak, while the breast feathering has all been tightly hand checkered. The wing feathering is also crisp throughout. The bird clutches a finely done wreath with a raised-out mobile swastika.

The grip of this example is a standard type, being an egg yolk yellow color. It is slightly darker on the obverse than the reverse, and would be in totally perfect condition but for a little flake missing from the separating rise between ribs at the lower reverse. It is otherwise a beauty.

The scabbard of this dagger is the same as the example I show on page 45 of my Army Book. This scabbard is straight throughout, having perfect, finely patinated silvering. The bands are the same as the scabbard shown on page 45, having overlapping oak leaves and acorns with enhancing to the veins. These edges of these bands are marked with the famous “*” that we often see on Klaas pieces. The throat is retained by two flatter-style side screws, both of which are located slightly lower than the norm. The pebbled panels are still completely crisp.

The blade is a fairly nice example, having just the slightest bit of smudge in the surfaces, but this is very light. Also the tip shows just a hint of a bend, but it is at best a minor issue; this blade still grades at Excellent Plus condition. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the iconic Klaas kissing cranes logo. The lovebirds are positioned over the firm’s name and location, “”Robert Klaas / Solingen”. The original brown leather, small-style blade washer is in place.

A fine, textbook Klaas piece here; one that we rarely see.

Paying $360

 

This Wingen piece is of extremely early vintage, being the same as the example I show in my Army Book on page 71. The hilt mounts are of early brass construction, having nice silver plating. The pommel is the early variety, having fourteen standing oak leaves separated by acorns. These oak leaves have hand-enhancement, with particular attention paid to the leaves that fall on the casting seams. The top of the pommel shows some normal usage signs and the rim has a couple of hit; none of this is too bad, however.

The crossguard is identical to the one shown on page 69 of my book. It features a open-winged eagle, with visible hand work on his eye, beak, breast feathering, talons and wreath. There is some wear to the head and breast, but again it is not too bad. The swastika is nicely vaulted out of the black backgrounds of the wreath. The ferrule is the same as the book piece.

The grip is a most attractive, very dark orange color, with a uniform tone on both sides. This grip is in nearly perfect condition, with just a slight hairliner on the lower left side rib. Because if the darkness of the grip, though, this minor flaw is barely noticeable.

The scabbard has matching patination, and is an early steel type. The pebbling is still in excellent condition, and both sides are nice and straight. The carrying bands are embellished with overlapping oak leaves which do have hand-enhancing to the vein, but so show a little bit of wear on the surfaces. The thicker style throat is retained by two dome-head side screws which appear unturned.

The quality blade of this dagger still has the original sheen to the surfaces, along with a needle-like tip. Unfortunately there is some smudge on the blade, probably a little more on the obverse than the reverse. Not much can be done with this; when you view smudge under magnification you’ll see that it does go into the metal. All in all, though, the blade is not too bad. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the little knight trademark, having the firm’s name and location above and below, “A. W. Jr. / Solingen”. The small style brown leather blade washer is in place.

A difficult early dagger to find here, and I think it has special interest .

Paying $380

 F.W. Höller

This Army Officer’s Dagger is in absolute choice condition throughout, with each hilt part, as well as the scabbard, having much of the original frosting still intact in the surfaces. The dagger is a textbook Höller piece, being identical to the example I show on page 33 of my Army Book.

The pommel is in totally perfect condition, having a nice black patination with frosting signs evident around the upper area. The pommel features twelve raised oak leaves separated by acorns. The detail is excellent throughout.

The crossguard eagle, in my opinion, is one of the best types produced during the period; I really like these style of these eagles. The head has an outstanding hooked beak, with a hand-enhanced eye and closely checkered breast feathering. Even the talons are extremely well rendered. The open wings are in excellent, crisp condition throughout, as is the detailed wreath with its raised-out mobile swastika. This guard still has maybe 80% of the original frosting still on the surfaces. I love to see this on daggers, don’t you? The ferrule is the same as the book piece.

This dagger is equipped with one of the rarely seen simulated ivory grips which were introduced by Höller. This grip has a beautiful ivory tone throughout, and if you look closely at the ribs you will see a simulated grain running through them, more prominent on the reverse than it is on the obverse. We don’t see this much, but when we do I think it is a most attractive and desirable variation. These grips were still the late plaster filled type, but that is the way things were done after the war started.

The dagger is equipped with the original-to-the-piece aluminum portepee. This portepee is in the original tie, and is in completely prefect condition showing no fray anywhere.

The scabbard is also a beauty, exactly matching the patination and frosted finish traces of the hilt mounts. Höller frequently used the generic scabbard with their product, being the same as the example I show on page 120 of my Army Book. This scabbard is absolutely flawless, with finely pebbled panels. The carrying bands feature a decoration of raised oak leaves separated by parallel acorns. The throat is a thinner type, retained by a single headless screw in the reverse center. A choice, Mint scabbard here!

As we would hope, the blade of this dagger is as nice as you will see, being in full Mint condition. This blade is mirror-bright, having 100% grain and a needle-like tip. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the familiar double ovals of the Höller firm, as well as the thermometer logo, having too many digits to ever count. The small style leather blade buffer is in place.

An extremely nice and hard to find simulated ivory grip example here.

Paying $375

AOD #36216C Early Army Officer’s Dagger with “Burnt Almond” Grip

This early Army Officer’s Dagger is unmarked. The hilt fittings however appear to be those of the E. Pack company. The crossguard is the same as I show on page 50 of my Army Book. The pommel is in good condition but does show a little bit of wear to the silvering around the edges and also some on the top surfaces. The rim is nice and crisp however. The eagle shows wear to the bird’s head and breast feathering. This is also the case with the talons. The wing feathering, wreath and swastika however are still crisp. The ferrule is a fine example being the same as page 51. I think the best part of this dagger, though, is the grip. The grip is so dark that it has almost turned a red color. It is very, very beautiful and is in perfect condition throughout. If you have been looking for an ultra dark grip to accent your collection this one should excite you.

The scabbard also appears to be a Pack example. It is straight throughout and has good pebbled surfaces. There is some mild slight discolorations here and there in the silvering but this could be cleaned out if desired. The bands feature good overlapping oak leaves. It is interesting that the upper band appears to have been installed backwards as the oak leaves are going towards the carrying rings rather than the opposite as they usually are. Even the Germans were not perfect! The throat is retained by two dome head screws.

The extra cost blade also does a lot for the excitement of this dagger. The blade is a nickel-plated example. The nickel plating still retains its mirror finish and has lots of appeal together with the needlelike tip. This blade is in mint condition. The original large style brown leather washer is in place.

A nice dagger here and, as stated above, the “burnt almond” color grip is very rare

Paying $375

This Army Officer’s Dagger is in extremely choice condition. The silvering throughout the piece is in totally perfect condition, and there is much frosting visible on all parts. The pommel and crossguard are the same as I show on page 25 in my Army Book. This pommel has perfect crisp edges around the rim and the upper portion is extremely smooth having about 50% of the original frosting remaining. Frosting also remains around the lower rim of the pommel and also to a degree around the twelve standing oak leaves. A beautiful pommel here. The crossguard is in the same fine condition being the second style. This crossguard has beautiful definition to the eagle’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. The ferrule above is the same as the book piece also having frosting. The grip is a egg yolk yellow type being just the slightest bit lighter in color on the reverse. The grip is in totally perfect condition.

The scabbard is a matching beauty. This mint conditioned scabbard has most of the frosting along both of the edges and lots of it still remains in the areas protected by the carrying bands and the throat. The pebbled panels are nice and crisp and the carrying bands are of highest quality. The thicker throat is retained by a single flatter style screw placed in the center of the reverse upper area. A great scabbard here!

The blade is a real head turner. This blade is in complete mint condition with needlelike tip and full grain across the surfaces. The reverse ricasso makes the blade quite exciting as it featues the over-the-shoulder squirrel trademark that was used after 1941. We do not see this trademark very often and it has become a “type” collectors dream. Below the squirrel is the quality word “Original” and below that is the name of the firm and location, “Eickhorn Solingen”. The new-like brown leather washer is in place.

If you are looking for a choice Eickhorn dagger or on the other hand if you are a “type” collector looking to fill a space with a superior piece I highly recommend this dagger.

Mint Minus. $1,495.00

AOD #35963 Early Army Officer’s Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

This early Army Dagger has never been cleaned since the war. It is deeply patinated throughout and if you like uncleaned pieces is quite beautiful. If you don’t like uncleaned pieces perhaps you might want to get the semichrome out as I’m sure the silvering below the surfaces of the dirk on this dagger is still 100%. The crossguard is the same as the example I show on page 24 of my Army Book. This crossguard was the first type used by Eickhorn. It has an outstanding eagle which has very close checkered on the breast area and the head is also different than the style used later on. The detail throughout this bird is exceptional. The bird clutches a wreath with raised swastika. The early ferrule is the same as the one I show in the book picture.

The pommel cap is the second style. We do see vintages sometimes mixed on these daggers which merely represents using up of parts. This pommel is in good condition throughout having the same dark patination. It features twelve standing oak leaves separated by acorns. The grip is a real beauty having the appearance of being a “glass” type. It is an appealing darker orange color on the obverse being toned slightly lighter on the reverse and also around the lower area which apparently was covered by a portepee at one time. An extremely nice hilt here.

The scabbard is the first style example. This scabbard is the same as the one shown on page 24 having the narrow fine pebbling with oak leaves on the carrying bands being more converse than the second style. This scabbard has the same dark matching patination and remains in perfect condition throughout having 100% silvering. The throat is retained by one center screw in the reverse. There are also remains of frosting on the upper portion of the scabbard.

The blade is a fine, bright example, showing a little bit of age but still rating in near mint condition. This blade has some of the graining still in place but most of it appears to have been worn off. Nevertheless it has not lost its fine factory shine. The reverse ricasso is etched with the trademark used from 1935-1941. This trademark show a squirrel holding a downward pointing sword. Above the animal is the quality work “original” and below is the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn / Solingen”. The original small brown leather washer is in place.

Paying £380

This WKC produced Army Officer’s piece was done late in the war, and as such has the wartime gray finish. There were no plating materials left to finish these pieces by 1942 so they were issued with the finish of the metal itself. The crossguard and pommel are standard WKC mounts being identical to page 63 of my Army Book. The pommel has a good smooth rim and features the twelve standing oak leaves separated by acorns around the outside circumference. The ferrule matches the gray finish. The crossguard features the hatchet style beak. This eagle has excellent detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. The grip is an off-white, plaster filled celluloid type. It shows a little carrying usage but overall it is in excellent condition with no breaks.

The scabbard is a classic WKC variety also finished with the gray look. The scabbard has good pebbled surfaces and is nice and straight. The throat is retained by a single flatter head screw on the right side.

The blade is a fine example having 100% of the factory grain and needleike tip. This mint condition blade looks like it just came out of the factory. The reverse ricasso is etched with the logo consisting of the knighthead positioned over the firm’s name and location, “WKC Solingen”. The new-like large brown leather washer is in place. A good example of a late produced piece.

Paying $280

This Army Officer’s Dagger is the 2nd style and is in nice condition throughout. The crossguard and pommel are the same as I show on page 25 of my Army Book. These mounts are in excellent condition having good silvering throughout and only the most modest amount of age evident. The grip is a fine orange color being in perfect condition. This grip is wrapped with the original army portepee. This portepee shows just a tad of fraying where the cord comes through the knot but it is negligible. This is a fine original portepee. The scabbard is the 2nd style, being the same as page 25 of my Army Book.

This scabbard has outstanding crisp pebbled panels and all of the silvering is in place and in good condition. The bands are in excellent condition with nicely detailed oak leaves. The thicker style throat is retained by one center placed screw in the reverse.

The blade is nice and bright throughout having good needlelike tip. This blade shows a little bit of in and out usage but basically it is still in good condition. There are some minor scratches on the reverse upper segment. With the brightness of the blade though it still grades easily at excellent plus, plus. The reverse ricasso has an etched 1935-41 trademark. It features a squirrel holding a downward pointing sword. Above the animal is the quality word “original” and below is the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn Solingen”. The original brown leather blade buffer is in place. A good solid Eickhorn army dagger here.

Paying $260

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger is composed of all early silver mounts being the “generic A” Wittman’s Book on page 79, upper. The pommel is in excellent condition showing only nominal usage signs around the rim. There is just the slightest of age in the silvering but none of it has left the surfaces. The twelve standing oak leaves separated by acorns are of crisp depiction running around the circumference. There is good age darkening in the backgrounds of these leaves. The ferrule is a matching generic type and also has fine oak leaf and acorn depiction with perfect silvered surfaces. The generic crossguard depicts a noble eagle with good detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. There is fine factory darkening in the backgrounds of the swastika. The quillon arms swell outward and down into a curl. The reverse of the crossguard shows a little lifting also but like the pommel, there is no silvering gone from the surfaces.

The grip is an extremely attractive example being slightly ovaled from the side. It has the nine ribs which descend downward from right to left. The grip has one small crack at the reverse left, but other than this remains in perfect condition. This grip has a very pleasing gold tone to the surfaces and also has some graining in many of the areas. This is a beautifully made period grip, designed to fit the tang of this blade in one direction only.

The scabbard is a matching generic type. This scabbard is straight throughout and has fine silvering. There is only the slightest of age noticeable on a couple of the raised pebble patterns but that is it. The bands feature adjoining oak leaves with acorns in between and are nicely presented. The throat is a thinner style having a headless flush mount screw in the reverse center. The viewer is treated to a real pleasurable sight when the blade is pulled from the scabbard. This very beautiful hand forged Damascus blade appears to be the work of Paul Dinger. It features Dinger’s favorite mix of small roses in the center and a maiden hair style pattern on the edges. The blade has a needlelike tip and is in perfect, Full Mint condition. This period blade is the best you will see; the workmanship is absolutely astounding. Unfortunately the blade is not maker marked nor does it have the stampings of Paul Dinger on the tang. It is possible that the stampings were ground off during the fitting process or perhaps they were never there to begin with. I have handled a number of Damascus blades over my thirty year plus period of selling daggers and swords. After awhile you develop a pretty good eye for what is right and what is not.

Despite the lack of markings, in my opinion, this blade is absolutely of pre-1945 construction. The original large style brown leather washer is in place. Because of the unmarked status of this blade this dagger sells for about one half of what its value would be had it shown a marking. This is a very good deal for someone who recognizes quality and is willing to have a blade in his collection that is unmarked. Should there be any doubters out there please ask another trusted dealer his opinion of this Damascus blade. This blade is easily on par and in fact looks identical to the example I show, in color, on page XXIII of my Army book. It is also identical to the Damascus blade and fittings shown in color on page 158 of my Army book.

Near Mint. $9,500.00

AOD #35356 Army Officer’s Dagger – Robert Klaas

This Army Officer’s Dagger is in untouched. “as found” condition. It is the early version Klaas having the mounts that I show in my Army Book on page 47, lower. These mounts show some age with a little bit of freckling in the finish but overall the silvering is still pretty much intact. The pommel has some usage signs around the rim and the oak leaves are the standing variety which run around the circumference. The crossguard eagle is outstanding showing hand checkering to the breast feathering area as well as to the eye and the beak. The later Klaas examples do not have this nice handwork. It is rare to see this particular crossguard as apparently Klaas gave up early making their own mounts preferring to buy from others. We see a lot of Klaas daggers with Pack style crossguards.

The grip of this example is a deep orange color being in perfect condition. The original 42 cm portepee is still wrapped about the hilt in the original tie. It has quite a bit of fraying where the cord comes out of the tie. I have left the knot in place as I kind of like the look of this untouched piece. Perhaps the dagger would look better without the frayed knot but that would be the choice of the next purchaser.

The scabbard is the same as the example I show in my Army Book on page 46. The scabbard also shows some usage and age with some slight freckling in the surfaces throughout. There is no real lifting of the plating however. The carrying bands are nicely done with good detail to the oak leaves. It is interesting to note that these bands have the asterisk engravings on the ends of each one which was done to cover the casting flaws. You can see this same identical treatment pictured on page 119 of my Army Book. To my knowledge Klaas was the only producer to use this asterisk to cover the casting flaws and it was probably not a company policy per se but was the method used by the hand enhancer employed by this firm. In fact, sometimes we will see Klaas scabbards which have no asterisk being an indication that a different employee was doing the work that day. The throat of this example is retained by two flatter head side screws.

As we often see with Klaas daggers the blade of this piece is nickel-plated. The nickel-plated finish is mirror bright throughout and other than just a tiny ripple at the tip this blade is in mint condition. The trademark is on the upside of the blade but the next purchaser can change this around if he wants to as it is my decision not to take this dagger apart. As far as I know it hasn’t’ been apart ever so why do it now just to change the trademark around. The original small style leather buffer is in place. An interesting dagger here which is by no means in mint condition but to the student of Army pieces it should be of interest.

Paying $300

This 2nd Pattern Carl Eickhorn army dagger is in an all black, uncleaned state. It does not appear to have been touched since the war. The mounts are the same as I show in my Army Book on page 25. The pommel has a good clean upper section with crisp rim. There are minor amounts of frosting that are still in the protected areas of the cap. The twelve standing oak leaves are in choice crisp condition running around the pommel edges. The ferrule is the same as the book piece as is the crossguard. This crossguard is a real beauty having full 100% detail to the bird’s brow, eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. Although the guard is completely black there is still frosting to be seen around the swirls at the quillon area as well as the protected areas around the ferrule and head of the bird. The grip is a beautiful tangerine orange color being just slightly lighter on the reverse. This grip is in absolute perfect condition.

The scabbard is the 2nd variety the same as page 25. It is completely black throughout also having lots frosting evident around the bands and also around the throat area which has been protected by the in place crossguard. The pebbled panels are crisp and the bands have outstanding overlapping oak leaves. The thick throat still retains its silvered frosting and is retained by a single flatter head style screw in the reverse center area.

The blade is as nice as they come being completely factory fresth. This blade has full crossgrain with needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is dare etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn squirrel logo. This mint blade has been protected by the new-like tan leather small blade washer which is firmly in place. A beautiful untouched army officer here. This is an excellent candidate for people who enjoy a mint piece yet being in untouched condition. Hard to find them this nice!

Paying $360

This army officer by Eickhorn is a textbook example having the second style fittings. The pommel, crossguard and ferrule are identical to the example I show on page 25 of my Army Book. The mounts throughout have a fine patination and do not appear to have been cleaned in many years. The pommel cap has a good smooth rim with little wearing signs on the top portion. The twelve standing oak leaves are nice and crisp with good factory blackening in the backgrounds. The crossguard features the popular second style Eickhorn eagle. The detail is outstanding throughout the bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The silvering throughout both of these mounts is perfect. The ferrule is the same as shown on page 25. The grip is a very pleasing pumpkin orange. This grip is in perfect condition throughout.

The scabbard is straight as an arrow. The silver plating is all there however there are a few small lift portions on the lower obverse only. They have not taken the silver out and there is no rust showing but there obviously must be a small amount of deterioration beneath the silver. Other than these lifts the scabbard is perfect. The pebble patterns are nice and crisp and the bands feature the overlapping oak leaves and acorns the same as page 25. The thicker style throat is retained by a single flatter style screw in the reverse center.

The blade of this example is completely bright having its original needlelike tip. All of the cross grain is present and this blade remains in full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the 1935-41 squirrel. The squirrel is retaining a downward pointing sword and he is positioned over the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn Solingen”. Above the animal is the quality word used with the Eickhorn logo, “original”. The original brown leather small blade washer is in place. A good Eickhorn dagger here which would sell for a lot more were it not for the small scabbard lifts. An excellent entry level example here.

Excellent Plus. $895.00

AOD #34428 Early Army Officer’s Dagger – WKC

This example is probably produced about 1936 or early ’37. It is not of the earliest vintage but it was produced prior to the time that WKC standardized their mounts with the so called “hatchet” eagle crossguard. These mounts appear to be a white metal base and I know this because unfortunately some of the silvering has flaked on the crossguard and also the pommel. However, the mounts are severely handworked and have a high quality look. The pommel top has some flaking around the edges and the silver remains are highly patinated. The oak leaves that run around the circumference outside have lots of hand enhancing to each and every one. There are fourteen of these oak leaves. The crossguard also has a great looking bird head which is more serpentine than the normal eagle head. It also has hand done checkering which is done very closely. The crossguard is not exactly the same as I show on page 65 of my Army Book but it is very similar. This well detailed eagle clutches a wreath with a good raised swastika in the center. The pommel looks a lot like the example I show on page 62. Unfortunately the reverse of this crossguard also has some flaking to the silver but the obverse is pretty good. The

The grip is a most beautiful . The tone is darker on the obverse than the reverse but it is interesting to note that the upper part of both sides of the grip are also lighter than the lower sides. It is just amazing how this celluloid reacted to color and time. This very beautiful grip is in perfect condition. I think because the entire upper part is lighter in tone could mean that there was a portepee wrapped about the top of the dagger and maybe not the bottom. Every once in a while you see a dagger with a portepee like this and considering the fact that this is an early dagger, chances are it was a high up officer who could have worn his knot any way he wanted to. The scabbard is the early type having the very fine early style pebbling. This scabbard has good silvering throughout but there is just a little bit of lifting on the edges. The bands have good enhancing to the oak leaves. The thicker style throat is retained by one screw on the right side. This is typical WKC.

The high quality blade is the style with the early tapered tang. It has the center section which is well formed with fine two edges. The tip is still needlelike and the surface is still mostly bright. Unfortunately there is a little bit of smudge which is evenly spread throughout the lower and center part of the blade. The blade still grades at excellent to excellent plus. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the knighthead trademark with the firm’s initials and location beneath, “WKC Solingen”. The large style brown leather washer is in place.

 

This Army Officer’s Dagger is an interesting dagger in that it is equipped with aluminum hilt mounts. These hilt mounts despite the fact that they appear on a Hörster dagger were produced by the Pack company. The pommel is the type that has fourteen leaves around the edges and each and every leaf has hand enhancing to the veins. It is interesting to study this pommel to see the type of work that was done during the period. It is also interesting to note that the acorns are also really nothing more than holes in the metal that are made to shape. The pommel surfaces are still nice and smooth with no hits to the edges. The crossguard displays a most interesting bird which has a finely cut eye, nicely hand cut beak but the best part is the very close checkering that was all done by hand. This bird clutches a wreath which also has hand touching up and there is a swastika raised out in the center.

If you like this kind of stuff this is a most interesting crossguard to study. We can just imagine some guy sitting at a bench with a loop connected to an eye piece and a set of cutting tools and he was probably left to his own imagination to create something that he felt would look good from a distance of perhaps a foot away. Each one of these engravers was kind of his own little master of Third Reich art because each and every one of these early crossguards displays a unique talent. It really is lots of fun to study these things and if you stay with army daggers the cost is not great and hopefully others in the future will understand the draw here and prices then will naturally escalate. Anyhow, sorry to go on but I like these kind of guards a lot and I hope that you do too! The grip of this example is a nice dark pumpkin orange being just slightly lighter on the reverse. This grip is in completely perfect condition. The ferrule is a good example having a plain steel finish with engraved veins to the oak leaves.

The scabbard with this example is especially nice. It has a silvered finish and there is still quite a bit of frosting at the upper portion of the scabbard. When in place with the dagger this tends to match nicely with the aluminum crossguard and gives the eye pleasure as the gaze goes further down the scabbard and it becomes more of a patinated silver finish. The scabbard is in choice condition with crisp pebbling. The bands have very fine hand enhanced oak leaves. The throat is a thinner type and it is retained by two flush mount headless side screws. This scabbard is in mint condition.

The blade is a very fine example. This blade is still mirror bright and has all of its crossgraining still in place if you look closely. There are some signs of age in it but not enough to take it away from a mint rating. The tip is still needlelike and the blade is installed with the trademark being upward. I think it was probably originally produced like this as it seems to fit in the scabbard better in this position. The trademark is nicely etched in the dual ovals having the firm’s name and location trapped in between, “E. & F. Hörster Solingen”. Inside is a downward pointing sword which goes through a large letter “H” which has smaller letters of “H” and “S” inside of the larger letter. The brown leather blade buffer is in place. A very interesting dagger here, and a pretty thing.

Near Mint. $995.00

AOD #34170C Army Officer’s Dagger – Alcoso

This Army Officer’s Dagger has the traditional Alcoso mounts throughout. The pommel is the same as I show in my Army Book on page 22 and 23. This pommel is the style that flares outward further than any other maker’s example. The upper example shows some minor usage with just a tiny flick of silvering missing at the very center. There are a couple of minor hits around the rim but nothing serious. The standing oak leaves are nicely done with each and every one having hand enhancing to the veins. The crossguard of this example is the same as page 21. It features the standard Alcoso eagle. It is interesting to note that when the chiseler applied the eye to this bird he put it more to the center giving the bird a look of a Cyclops! I like things like this as it shows that the Germans were human too. The rest of the eagle still has good detail to the breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The plating is good throughout except the upper area around the ferrule where there is a little bit of flaking. The ferrule is the same as the example shown on page 21.

The grip is an off-white example most likely being a plaster filled type. The reverse of the grip has a rather golden tone which is slightly deeper than that of the obverse. This grip is in perfect condition throughout.

The textbook Alcoso scabbard is the same as I show on page 22 and 23. This scabbard has good crisp pebbled p3anels and the silvering is perfect throughout. The carrying bands have nicely detailed overlapping oak leaves. The throat is retained by two flathead side screws. The blade of this example is in very fine mint condition. This blade has mirror finish with all crossgraining and needle-like tip. It is marked with the second to last trademark used by this firm with a circa of 1941. The scales are interspersed with the initials, “ACS”. Next to the trademark is the script written name of the firm, “Alcoso” over the location city of “Solingen”. This trademark is positioned horizontally with the blade. The original large size leather washer is in place.

A good textbook Alcoso dagger here.

Excellent Plus, Plus. $695.00

AOD #33779 Army Officer’s Dagger – E. & F. Hörster

This Army Officer’s Dagger by Hörster is recently out of the woodwork, and does not appear to have been cleaned since the war. It reflects a very dark overall matching patina. This Hörster dagger is a textbook example being the same as I show in my Army Book on page 40. The pommel has an excellent upper area showing minor usage only. The rim has some signs of usage but it is still crisp. The ferrule is the same as the book example being coal black. The crossguard displays an outstanding Hörster eagle having full detail to the bird’s eye, beak, close grained breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika. Beneath the patination the silvering appears to be excellent on this example.

The grip is a fine dark orange color on the obverse, fading slightly lighter on the reverse. This grip is in perfect condition throughout. The matching all black patinated scabbard appears the same as the example on page 41. This scabbard is straight throughout having fine pebbled surfaces. The bands are more of a convex shape and have good oak leaf depiction. The throat is retained by a single rounder head type screw positioned in the center reverse.

The blade is just like you like them. It is nice and bright throughout having all of its crossgraining and needlelike tip. This blade shows just the slightest of age but not enough to really take it from a near mint to mint rating. The reverse ricasso is etched with the smaller Hörster trademark featuring double ovals. The ovals contain the firm’s name and location, “E&F Hörster Solingen”. Inside is a downward pointing sword which pierces a large letter “H”. Inside of the large letter is a smaller “H” over “S” letter. The original new-like brown small leather blade buffer is in place.

A fine textbook Hörster dagger here in untouched condition. I personally like to see these army daggers with original patination as it is a rare sight anymore.

Excellent Plus, Plus. $895.00

AOD #34312C Army Officer’s Dagger with an Odd Band Retainage – Carl Eickhorn

This Army Officer’s Dagger is a standard Carl Eickhorn example, having the second style fittings. The retainage of the bands is quite odd though, and we’ll get to this later on in the description. The crossguard and ferrule are beauties, all having fine black patination. The pommel has smooth surfaces at the top, and the rim shows a couple of mild wearing signs, but nothing detractive. The standing oak leaf bands going around the circumference are nice and crisp. The crossguard reflects the second style eagle, having fine details to the bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised swastika. The reverse of the guard is nice and smooth. The ferrel is the same as is shown on page 25. The grip is a lighter, squash yellow color. It is in perfect condition, except for three extremely tiny hairliners that have occurred on the reverse lower portion, where the grip meets the ferrel. They are miniscule, however.

The scabbard is a very fine, second type, being straight as an arrow, having perfect silvering, and reflecting identical patination to the hilt. The pebbled surfaces are still nice and crisp. The bands are the style having overlapping oak leaves and they show excellent detail. The unusual aspect about these bands, is that the left edge of each band is a flush mounted flat head screw, retaining the band to the scabbard. Eickhorn did this method of retainage for their Feldherrnhalle daggers, and perhaps the man who was assembling Feldherrnhalles for the day was asked to put a couple of army scabbards together, and by force of habit, installed the screws on thses bands. Whatever the reason, this is an absolute factory job, and the first time I’ve ever seen this method on an Army Eickhorn dagger. The thicker throat is retained by a single flatter head screw mounted in the center reverse.

The blade is a fine example, being bright throughout, and showing only the most modest amount of age in a couple of places. I would think that with a little semi chrome though, that these spots are so superficial, they should work out of the metal. Overall though, the blade still grades at near mint, having its needle-like tip. The reverse ricasso is etched with the 1935-1941 squirrel. The animal sits to the viewer’s left holding a downward pointing sword. Above is the word “Original” and below the animal is the firm’s name and location “Eickhorn/Solingen”. The original brown leather blade washer is in place.

An interesting example here, with a small anomaly that may appeal to some collectors

This Early Army Officer’s Dagger has the Wingen trademark, which we do not see too often on army daggers. Wingen was not a big producer of this type dagger, and on this example, they elected to purchase fittings outside of the company. These mounts are the generic “B” type, being the same as I show in my army book on page 99. The pommel is the style that has the stem on the inside center. It features fourteen oak leaves running around the circumference, all having good detail throughout. The upper pommel shows normal wear, and the rim has no dings. The crossguard has fairly good detail, showing some wear to the bird’s head, and breast feathering, but not too bad, in that the eye of the bird is still somewhat visible, and the breast feathering is there, but slightly vague. The rest of the guard has good detail to the bird’s wings, talons, and mobile swastika. The reverse of the crossguard is nice and smooth, and in the center it has a fine monogram, which appears to have been jeweler engraved. The monogram is “W.W.”. The letters are nicely done, being double scribed with open centers. The ferrule above is the same as the piece I show in my Army Book on page 99. The grip has turned to a most pleasing pumpkin color. It is in complete perfect condition throughout.

The scabbard appears to be identical to the example on page 99. The silvering nicely matches the hilt mounts, and the pebbled finish is still crisp. This straight scabbard has good carrying bands, having excellent overlapping oak leaf depiction and hand enhancing to the veins. The throat is a fairly thick variety, and it is retained by flush mount headless side screws. The blade is a very high quality example, having well-defined center segment. It is also very bright, which indicates to me that it is most likely nickel plated. I see graining on the blade, but this is merely showing through the nickel surfaces. This fine blade has a needle-like tip, and is in mint condition showing no age. The reverse ricasso is etched with the small knight head trademark, having the firm’s initials above “A.W. JR”, and below, the location city “Solingen”. The original brown leather blade washer is in place.

A very nice, personalized piece here, in an untouched state.

Paying $400

This Army Officer’s Dagger has all-silvered fittings of the generic “B” variety, being identical to the style I show in my Army Book on Page 99. The pommel is the usual type we see with the “B” generic cross guard, being the style with threaded stem inside, and having 14 leaves running around its perimeter. The cross guard eagle is an extremely good-looking example, having noble head, excellent breast and wing feathering, fine detail to the wreath and a highly-vaulted swastika. The grip is a beautiful egg-yolk yellow type, being in perfect condition. There is a 42 cm portepee in the proper tie wrapped about the hilt. The scabbard is a standard generic variety being identical to Page 120. The blade of this example is in pristine, mint condition, having the standard sword-piercing-helmet, double ellipse trademark, used by the P.D. Lüneschlöss firm.

However, all of this is of little consequence, as it is the presentation appearing between the scabbard bands on the reverse that is of astounding nature. It is interesting to note the engraver removed the pebbled surfaces of the paneled area between the bands so that the four-line engraving could be easily read. This engraved dedication is “UNSEREM KOMANDEUR/OBERST J.MICKL HERZLICHEN/GLÜCKWUNSCH ZUM RITTERKREUZ/DIE STOLZEN 155 er”. This dedication basically translates to “TO OUR COMMANDER COLONEL J. MICKL, WITH HEARTFELT BEST WISHES, ON THE KNIGHT’S CROSS AWARD FROM THE PROUD 155 er”. Oberst Mickl was one of Rommel’s Panzer commanders and was instrumental in Rommel’s fight against Tobruk in North Africa. He won the Knight’s Cross for his outstanding leadership, and as the Allies were soon to learn, Rommel and his Panzer generals were huge adversaries despite their smaller numbers. Mickl went on to win the oak leaves for operations in Russia on 6 Marz 1943. At that time, he was the commander of the 25th Panzer Greniedere regiment. He was later killed on 10 April 1945, while commanding the 392nd Croatian Infantry division. At that time, he had been promoted to General Leutnant and had been wounded five times.

This dagger was owned by one of the great German Panzer commanders who, to this day, were responsible for the reputation which will live on through history of these fantastic trained troops. He was a career officer, having served in both wars. This is a grand opportunity to own a dagger in which a whole display could be built around. This dagger comes with a large dossier detailing Mickl’s career. It is a wonderful artifact and would make even the most advanced collectors in our community smile. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Mint Minus. $9,995.00

AOD #33128 Early Army Officer’s Dagger – Robert Klaas

This very early Army Officer’s Dagger is quite an interesting example. The Klaas firm made some pieces and often bought other pieces. This example appears to be initial production, as the scabbard is definitely a brass base and the hilt mounts appear to be also. These mounts are actually the generic “B” type, and you can see identical ones on a Voos piece pictured in my Army Book on page 107. The early pommel has the 14 standing oak leaf depiction, and it has the stem thread inside. Its heavy weight, though, suggests that it is a brass base. The silvering is outstanding across this mount, having a very black patinated finish. The rim shows a couple of minor carrying signs, as does the top surfaces of the pommel. But, overall, it is still in nice condition. The ferrule nicely matches the hilt fittings and is the same as depicted in the book piece. The crossguard is a very choice eagle, looking nearly identical to the one on page 107. This bird has outstanding detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised mobile swastika. The patination is also very dark, matching the pommel.

The grip really looks great on these dark fittings. It is a dark pumpkin-orange color, still being in near-perfect condition. There are a couple of extremely minor hairliners on the right edge, but they hardly show. There are also some slightly lighter sections on the grip where it was once covered by a portepee. A fine hilt here!

The scabbard of this example is also outstanding. It is the early type that has very close grain pebbling. There is a little bit of rippling toward the tip where there was some minor squeezing, but it is not bad. There are also a couple of edge “dings” on the left side, but again, they are not bad. The silvering is still 100% throughout this fine scabbard and it is black patinated, matching the hilt. The bands are extremely well done, having fine accent lines to the leafing. These bands do not have the accent marks on their ends, but there is still nice handwork covering the casting marks. The throat is also a very interesting part, as it not only cantilevers on both sides, but the edges of the throat are beveled downward towards the scabbard. As we know, the throats are usually squared off. This is a great looking touch here, and something we would only see on early pieces. Lots of workmanship on this scabbard! The throat is retained by a flush mount headless screw positioned in the center reverse.

Despite the fact that there is no maker-mark on the blade of this dagger, it is a textbook Alcoso example. The dagger has been recently cleaned, and the silvering all looks nice and bright. The hilt fittings are the same as I show in my Army Book on page 21 and 23, right. The pommel is the “flared” type that we see used by this firm. The rim of the pommel shows some mild usage, as do the top surfaces. The oak leaves are extremely well done, being the variety with 12 leaves. The veining is hand enhanced and the two leaves that fall on the casting flaws have been hand worked. The ferrule nicely matches the rest of the dagger. The crossguard features the 3rd Style bird and, as is usually the case, there is some minor wear to the head, but the details to the eye and beak are still visible. The breast feathering is still pretty good and the wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika are excellent. The silvering throughout these fittings is perfect. They are beautifully enhanced by a deeply toned pumpkin-orange grip. This grip is just a tone darker on the reverse than it is on the obverse. A nice hilt here.

The scabbard is a typical Alcoso, being the same as the book piece in my Army Book on page 22, upper. This scabbard has good pebbled panels showing some minor surface wear, and there are a couple of wearing hits that are just noticeable along the edges. The bands have good detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The throat is retained by two flatter head side screws having the small bore, typical of Alcoso.

The blade of this example is still nice and bright throughout, having a needle-like tip. There are a couple of “scars” left in both sides of the blade where the runners left a moisture mark. It is not bad and, possibly, could be worked out a little better with some semi-chrome. Overall, though, this is a nice blade easily grading at excellent plus, plus. The leather washer is the large style and is firmly in place.

A decent Army Dagger here that has a few flaws, but it is priced accordingly.

Paying

This Carl Eickhorn Army Officer’s Dagger is quite beautiful having all 2nd Style fittings, and each mount, including the scabbard, has 100% perfect silvering with beautiful patination. The pommel has a very crisp rim with perfect surface at the top. The 12 standing oak leaves and alternating acorns are crisp throughout. The ferrule is the proper Eickhorn type, being identical to the example in my Army Book on page 25. The 2nd Style crossguard is as good as they come. It is identical to page 25, having exquisite detail to the bird’s head features, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika. These fine patinated fittings are set off by a yellow candystick-like grip. Usually, the grips turn to a darker color. In the case of this dagger, the grip must have been protected from light over the years as it still has its original lemon-chiffon color. Other than a couple of tiny lifts in the edge of the grip where the pommel rests at the left edge, the grip is totally perfect. These “blemishes” are hardly noticeable and, of course, with a portepee they would completely cover.

The scabbard is fantastic, having full silvering and crisp pebbled panels. The Eickhorn bands are as nice as they come with their overlapping oak leaf and acorn motif. The throat is a thicker type, being retained by a flatter head screw placed in the center reverse panel. The blade of this example is nice and bright and still has all of its crossgraining. There is just the slightest hint of age toward the bottom of the obverse tip. The reverse also has a smidgen of the same. Other than this, though, the blade is still in as nice a condition as you normally would see. Because of these slight flaws, though, this blade would not grade full mint. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935 through 1941 squirrel logo. This squirrel holds a downward pointing sword, and above the animal is the word “Original”, and below the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn, Solingen”. The original small style brown leather blade washer is in place.

A very nice Eickhorn dagger here.

Paying £200 U.K.

This Army Officer Dagger’s has not been cleaned since the war and reflects. The pommel is in nice condition having no hits to the rim, and the upper areas show little wear. The standing oak leaves are crisp throughout, being 12 separated by acorns. The ferrule matching the other parts and is the same as page 55. The crossguard has a very fine Pack eagle. This eagle has outstanding detail to his eye, beak, close checkered breast feathering,  This scabbard is straight throughout and has matching silvered patination. The silvering is all there. The panels are still fairly crisp, as too the pebbling. The bands are outstanding, having fine hand enhancing to each and every oak leaf. The throat is retained by two domehead side screws in the Pack manner. These screws are untouched.

Attached to the scabbard rings is an interesting set of army hangers. These hangers have been shortened by the original wearer, and only measure a little over 6 inches in length. This type of shortening appears to me as though they were made for purposes of wearing with the army greatcoat. Often, hangers were attached below the flap of the coat and, therefore, did not require a long length. Despite there shortness, the hangers are still in nice condition, having deluxe fittings. The closed clip at the top is decorated with raised acorns and oak leaves, and on the upper bar is stamped “D.R.G.M.”. The oval buckles and slides are equipped with overlapping oak leaves. The snaps are the deluxe type, having oak leaf and acorn decoration on the front surfaces with “push-up” style catches. The reverse of each snap is marked “D.R.G.M.”. The brocade is still in excellent condition, still being bright and showing little age. The reverse of the straps has the usual high pile field-green velvet. An interesting set of hangers here, being original-to-the-piece.

The blade of this army dagger is as nice as they come. It is completely mirror bright with needle-like tip and full 100% crossgraining. This blade is easily in full mint condition. It is stamped on the reverse center ricasso segment horizontally, “WMW/Waffen”.