Original Item: Only One Available. We just purchased this very nice dagger at a military trade show. It is a fine Solingen-Produced totally original WWII German 2nd Model Naval Dagger by legendary maker W.K.C. Waffenfabrik, complete with the original plated "lightning bolt" style brass scabbard. It definitely looks to have seen long service during the war, and the blade is more simple than we are used to seeing, without etching. It has even been sharpened for use, so this is a dagger that definitely has some stories to tell!

This example was almost certainly purchased by an officer when the war was in full swing, as the pommel is the later post 1940 pattern, with less "vaulting" around the wreath. There is also not as much of an inset on the wings, giving it a more streamlined look than the earlier pattern. The details in the bird are still fully visible, and the cross guard is the crossguard is the standard WKC type, with very crisp execution. The grip is in good condition, with an unfaded ivory color celluloid covering, however it does show cracking through to the wood base near the guards, probably from over tightening of the pommel nut. The twisted brass wire wrapping is in good condition, showing a lovely oxidized patina with no missing sections. The scabbard locking button is fully functional, and shows wear and patination.

The blade is a nice example, and unlike most does not look to have been etched, so this was probably purchased by a lower ranking officer. It also is not plated, and has suffered some oxidation damage over the years, now mostly polished away. The edge has been sharpened, and it looks like a field sharpening, so it was not expertly executed. It is possible that the dagger was captured and put into use by Allied forces, which was not uncommon during the war. Definitely an interesting example!

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the trademark "Knights-Head" (Ritter-helm) logo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen, over the firms initials of WKC. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today. The original red felt blade buffer is still present at the base of the blade.

The lightning bolt scabbard is in very good condition, showing only minor dents and bends to the brass body, which do not interfere with sheathing the blade. Most of the original gold wash is worn away, retained now only in the recesses of the engraved designs on the scabbard. The rest of the scabbard shows a lovely "mustard" brass patina. The scabbard is stamped with well-defined palmettes around the bands and lightning bolts, ermine feet and acanthus leaves down to the chape. 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.

Overall a nice service used example of a hard to find German naval dagger by a legendary Solingen maker. A worthy addition to any knife collection. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Overall length: 15 1/8”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 11 1/4”