Original Item: Only One Available. We just received this very nice dagger out of a large private collection. It is a fine Solingen-Produced totally original WWII German 2nd Model Naval Dagger by legendary maker Carl Eickhorn, complete with the original plated "hammered" style brass scabbard. Additionally, it also has a fine set of original velvet-backed hangers. This is certainly a very nice and complete 2nd Model Navy Dagger offering.

This example was almost certainly purchased by a high ranking officer early in the wartime period, as the pommel is a 1938 changeover type. It has very deeply inset wings and an impressive vault wreath. The details to this bird are also choice, with a striking eye, beak and breast. The crossguard is the standard Eickhorn type, and the grip is in excellent condition, with an unfaded ivory color celluloid covering, with just a bit of wear. The twisted brass wire wrapping is in excellent tight condition. The scabbard locking button is fully functional, and shows a bit of wear and patination.

The unplated carbon steel blade is a very nice example, still mostly bright with some minor past oxidation staining in areas. It does look to have had some cleaning in the past to remove surface oxidation, which has left a bit of a matte finish in areas where oxidation was removed. The edge has correctly not been sharpened, and the tip of the blade is straight and unbent, just how we like to see them. The original felt blade buffer is in place, though it is faded to orange from the original red.

The blade's ricasso is stamped with the post 1941 Eickhorn simplified trademark: a seated "regardent" squirrel looking backward over its shoulder, with the firm's name and location, ORIGINAL / EICKHORN / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

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 hammered-brass scabbard is in very good condition, with a lovely patina of age. There is a bit of fading to the gold plating, which is the type that evaporates over time, though in the hammer marks it is still fully present. The bands feature overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The ring ferrules are the triple serrated type, and the rings are still present. The throat is retained by two dome headed screws on the narrow sides, which do not appear to have been removed. The finish overall is still very nice, with a lovely patina and much of the gilding retained.

Accompanying this dagger is a set of Naval Hangers which are in very good condition. The obverse of these hangers is a black moire material, while the reverse is covered in fine, high-pile black velvet plush material. The snaps are of gilded aluminum, which show only minor wear on the protruding features. The Lion's Head buckles and sliders are gilt brass, which is still well retained. The upper snap is complete with a brass chain and regain hook. The velvet backed fabric of the hangers is in very good condition, with no fading of the color, and some light wear. The fittings do show some oxidation and minor plating loss, typical of naval service.

Overall a great example of a hard to find dagger by the most legendary of Solingen makers, with a very nice scabbard and excellent hanger set. A worthy addition to any knife collection. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 7/8"
Overall length: 15”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”