Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Army Officer's Dagger, complete with the original scabbard. The blade on this example is unmarked, but this is not unusual, as many smaller outfitters would purchase finished blades and blade blanks from major factories, and then fit the blades themselves. This example notable in that the blade is nickel plated, not the usual bright steel we see.

This dagger looks to have been fit with cast zinc alloy, which was then plated and antiqued to give it a great look. The pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing wear and light scratching around the edge. The original plating is still well retained on the sides and bottom, with a good deal of the antiquing still present. The standing oak leaves and acorns around the sides are crisply detailed and have good backgrounds.

The zinc alloy cross guard is in similar condition, with much of the original plating present except on the corner wear areas, with some of the antiquing still present. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are very good throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross). The grip ferrule is plated steel, which still retains most of the original finish and antiquing.

The celluloid covered wood grip on this dagger has faded just a bit to a light amber color, showing a bit more color on one side than the other due to different amounts of light exposure. The grip is in very good condition, with the antiquing in the grooves still present, with no cracking and just a tiny chip near the ferrule. The hilt has just a bit of wobble on the tang, and the original blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the guard.

The nickel plated blade is in excellent condition, showing just a bit of wear from the scabbard runners, and showing no damage to the edge or tip. There is just a tiny bit of plating loss due to runner wear near the tip, and some minor swirl marks from cleaning. Really a great blade.

The scabbard is a fine example, and is steel with what looks to be silver plating, which is still very well retained. The body is straight, though there are some dents on the reverse between the hanger bands, and on both sides about 2 inches above the bottom, neither of which interfere with sheathing the blade. We do not see any bubbling or major plating loss on the scabbard. This straight scabbard has very crisp, finely grained panels. The zinc alloy carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, but also show some wear from use. The throat is the thinner style, and has a single "cheese head" securing screw on the rear side.

Attached to the scabbard is a good service used condition belt hanger, with functional pebbled spring clips with a great patina. The buckles and keepers are engraved with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger. The clips are the more desirable "sliding" type, both marked D.R.G.M. on the back, indicating it is a trademarked design, also present on the end fitting. The original plating on the fittings is almost completely missing, with just a few traces present and oxidized. The straps are in good condition, showing the bullion on the front well, and the velvet plush material on the reverse is also in great shape. The ends around the hanger clip show a good amount of wear though, with some past stitch repairs.

A very nice example of an Army Officer Dagger, complete with an original scabbard and hanger! Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 10 7/8"

The German Army (Heer) first carried a dagger beginning in 1935. The weapon was worn in lieu of occasions not demanding the wearing of a more formal sword. The dagger design was quite attractive featuring silvered heavy fittings with white or colored grip. The crossguard depicted a Wehrmacht open-winged eagle clutching a wreathed swas.

The pommel depicted oak leafing 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.