Original Item: Only One Available. We just received this very nice dagger out of a small private collection. It is a fine Solingen-Produced totally original WWII German 2nd Model Naval Dagger by the legendary firm Carl Eickhorn, complete with the original gold-plated "lightning bolt" style brass scabbard. This is a very nice service used example, with a great look.

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 vaulted wreath. The details to this bird are also choice, with a striking eye, beak and breast. The crossguard is the standard type, and retains all of the details well. The grip is in very good condition with a bit of age, and a few small surface cracks and staining, but still has a great ivory color, which hasn't faded to orange like so many due. It still has the original wire wrapping, but it is a bit frayed. Overall the grip shows wear on the plating, so this was a dagger that was worn in service. Scabbard locking button is fully functional, and also in great shape.

The blade is a very good example, with an excellent fouled anchor etch on both sides of the carbon-steel blade. The etching on both sides is beautiful, retaining almost all of the frosted backgrounds. The blade however does have some rust damage, which was polished out long ago, mostly on the last 3 inches, but also with some around the ricasso. If this dagger was exposed to sea water, that would definitely explain this type of wear. The tip of the blade is great, and the original felt blade buffer is in place.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and the firm's name and location, Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. This company is a legendary producer of edged weapons, and were particularly desirable even among other Solingen producers. Their "Field Marshall" series of officer's swords are all highly collectible.

The lightning bolt scabbard is mostly straight, and does have some denting, as shown in the pictures. These do not interfere with the blade entering the scabbard. It's stamped with well-defined palmettes around the bands and lightning bolts, ermine feet and acanthus leaves down to the bottom 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 mostly bright brass, as the gold plating was the type that "evaporates" easily with cleaning and contact to air. There is still a bit left around the fittings but most is a lovely slightly aged brass.

Overall a great example of a hard to find dagger by a legendary maker! A worthy addition to any knife collection. Ready to display!