Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm Carl Eickhorn. The alloy pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing moderate wear with much of the original plating still intact and bright from polishing. There is some wear through around the edges of the pommel, showing what definitely looks to be brass base metal. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed and have good darkened backgrounds, which really stand out against the bright raised portions.

The plated crossguard is in similar condition, showing some wear but also bright and shiny, probably made from the same type of alloy. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The plated alloy grip ferrule looks great, bright with antiquing between the oak leaves. The celluloid grip has faded a nice aged caramel orange color, and is in great condition throughout, showing very little wear and no cracking or other damage. There is some lovely antiquing or staining in the grooves of the design, and the hilt is overall still tight on the blade.

Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It is in very good condition, looking to have been fitted to the dagger for quite some time. There is some fraying and loss of bullion in areas, showing the underlying fabric cords

The blade on this example is in very good condition, with some light oxidation staining, and light wear from cleaning and the scabbard runners. The factory final polish grind cross grain is present throughout the blade, and can be seen in the light, though it is faint in areas due to the stained areas being cleaned off. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The needle-like tip is still intact, with no bending, and the edge is still nice, with no chips or sharpening. This is definitely a very nice blade, with some light over all staining, and the cross grain faint due to cleaning.

The rear of the blade is clearly etched with the 1933-1935 Eickhorn trademark "losenge" logo: a double oval surrounding a seated squirrel holding a sword, with CARL EICKHORN / SOLINGEN surrounding the squirrel trademark. 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 logo was one of many very similar but not identical trademark logos used during the 1933-1935 period. The company was originally 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 original leather blade buffer is missing.

The scabbard is a fine example, made of high quality non-magnetic alloy, probably brass or tombak like the blade fittings. It shows just a bit of bending and denting to the exterior, which does not interfere with sheathing the blade. This scabbard has very crisp, finely pebble grained panels, and the nickel alloy carrying bands have a very nice overlapping oak leaf and acorn motif, a common design seen on German edged weapons. The throat is the narrower style, and has flat head retaining screws on the narrow sides of the scabbard. The finish looks to be silver or nickel, and is still well retained, with some areas of plating loss that show the base metal.

Attached to the scabbard is a very good 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 regular hinged style, made from aluminum alloy, and do not have any markings that we can see. They show light wear, but no major damage or oxidation. The straps are in very good condition, with the velvet on the back well retained, and the silver bullion front side showing light to moderate wear.

A lovely example from the most legendary of all Solingen makers, complete with scabbard, hanger, and portepee. This is the full setup! Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 1/8"

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. This early war version is quite nice, and in great shape.