Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm Carl Eickhorn, Stahlwarenfabrik. It also has a lovely engraved name in German black letter typeface on the back of the crossguard: Schmidt. The pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing a little wear and scratching throughout the bottom, but nothing bad. The plating is still mostly present, with a great patina and lovely darkening on the oak leaf side panel.

The silver plated crossguard is in similar condition, with a lot of the plating intact, except on the back due to wear, with a great patina. The details throughout the characteristic Carl Eickhorn eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The grip ferrule is also silver-plated, and is in good condition with some wear, having been protected by the portepee.

The grip is has faded to a nice caramel orange, typical of celluloid grips from this period. This grip is in almost perfect condition throughout, with just a bit of staining and wear.  Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It is in good condition as shown, with fraying by the end knot, where the cord rubs on the cross guards.

The very nice blade is mostly bright throughout, showing almost all of the original cross grain. The tip is still intact, with no bending, just some light wear. Overall finish does show some speckled staining in a few places, though the edge is still nice, with no major chips or sharpening. There is the usual runner wear on the blade surface. 

The reverse ricasso is etched with the WWII era Eickhorn trademark, which is struck into the blade (not etched): A seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and the firm's name and location, Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. The original leather blade buffer is in place within the deep recesses of the guard.

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 is a fine Carl Eickhorn example, and is plated steel. This straight scabbard has very crisp, finely grained panels. The carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, and show little wear. The throat is the thinner style, and has a single securing screw on the back of the scabbard. It is silver or nickel plated, and has a lovely oxidized look. There is not really any flaking we can see, making this a great example. There is something loose inside the scabbard, but we were not able to ascertain what it is.

Attached to the scabbard is a very good condition belt hanger, with functional pebbled spring clips with a great patina. The end clips are the more complex and desirable sliding type. The buckles and keepers are engraved with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger.  The straps do show quite a bit of wear, especially on the velvet side. They also have a red stiffener inside, which has degraded and is visible on one strap. The ends have also both been repaired with leather where they wrap around the hanger attachment. This is a hanger that was used quite extensively.

A very nice example from a legendary maker, ready to display!

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.