Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice and extremely rare Zollgrenzschutz Land Customs Official Dress Dagger, produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm Carl Eickhorn. The Zollgrenzschutz (ZGS) was an organization under the German Finance Ministry from 1937 to 1945. It was charged with guarding Germany's borders, acting as a combination Border Patrol and Customs & Immigration service.

It originated in the early 19th century as a tariff enforcement unit of the Prussian government. Reorganized in 1919 under the Weimar Republic following World War I, it gradually became more militarized and transformed into a paramilitary force, also due to the economic woes of blockade, inflation and Great Depression.

In NSDAP Germany it was reformed again in 1937 by Fritz Reinhardt, a State Secretary of the Finance Ministry. It came to comprise about 50,000 officials. The Border Police (Grenzpolizei), which had the tasks of passport and border control, was different from the Customs Border Guards (Zollgrenzschutz).

Heinrich Himmler tried to bring the Zollgrenzschutz under the control of the Schultzstaffel (SS), which was unsuccessful at first. During the war, the units were used in occupied territories outside of Germany. A significant portion of younger officials were recruited to the Wehrmacht, leaving the Zollgrenzschutz with older men. After the 20 July 1944 assassination attempt on AH, the units were taken out of the control of the Finance Ministry and placed under Amt IV (Gestapo) of the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA). It was deactivated at the end of World War II in Europe when Germany was partitioned.

This fine Land Customs example is a very nice example with aluminum fittings, indicating later production close to the start of WWII. The pommel is in excellent condition, showing minor wear to the upper surface. There are the usual twelve standing art deco style oak leaves around the edges.

The matching crosscguard features an open-winged eagle with wing tips that rise upward, with most of the detail still retained. There is some oxidation in the recesses of the design, and unfortunately there is a crack going through the reverse of the crossguard, not uncommon with the weaker aluminum alloy. The aluminum ferrule nicely matches the rest of the hilt mounts.

The grip is wood covered in fine dark green Moroccan leather. This leather remains in very good condition, tightly wrapped with twisted wire There is just a bit of finish loss, and no exposure of the wooden under layer, though there is a bit of loose material by the pommel.

The blade on this example is in very good, near excellent condition, with the factory final polish grind cross grain is present throughout the blade, with just a bit of fading from runner wear. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There are scattered spots of light oxidation staining, which look to have been polished out in the past, making this a real showpiece. The needle-like tip is still intact, with no bending, and the edge is still nice, with no chips or sharpening.

The ricasso is etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany. The company was arguably the largest edged weapon and fine steel manufacturer based in Solingen from 1900-1945. Paul Casberg, who worked for Eickhorn was tasked with designing many of the German dagger patterns carried throughout WWII.

According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout, covered in matching dark green Moroccan leather. Other than some normal wear it remains in great condition, with some minor scrapes removing the top finish layer of the leather. The matte aluminum fittings are in great shape, matching the color and texture of the hilt fittings very well. These mounts are retained by headless side screws and are styled with decorative lines on both sides.

The belt hanger has all aluminized steel fittings, and they are in great shape, much like the fittings on the dagger and scabbard. The green felt backed straps and in great condition with only slight discoloration to the silver and green on the face. All stitching appears intact with no significant damage.

This is a truly remarkable, scarce dagger from the Land Customs Officials of WWII Germany, made by the most legendary of all Solingen makers! Comes ready to display.

Dimensions:
Blade Length: 10”
Crossguard Width: 3”
Grip Length: 4 ½”
Total Length: 14 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 ½”