Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely wartime production Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the well-known Solingen-based firm of Anton Wingen Jr., a desirable and rare maker of edged weapons. This is most likely the first example of an Army officer dagger by this maker that we have had. It looks to be fitted with aluminum, which looks to have had an "aircraft gray" finish over silver plating, which is still partly retained. The pommel of this dagger is in very nice condition, showing light wear and oxidation overall, with the original plating still mostly present, though the oxide coating is mostly worn away, except on the recesses of the sides. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed, and there is just a bit of wear around the edge of the pommel.

The aluminum alloy cross guard is in similar condition, showing a lovely color, with the plating well retained overall, and even much of the oxide layer, though it is worn on the raised portions and edges as usually seen. The details throughout the eagle are still present throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross). The leather blade buffer is no longer present. The grip is a great amber color, aged from the original ivory white, and has some lovely antiquing in the grooves. This grip is in very good condition, showing some light scratching on the sides, but no major damage. The plated steel grip ferrule is in good condition, with the original plating still mostly present, though it is flaking and oxidized in areas.

The blade on this dagger is in very good condition, still showing the original factory final polish grind crossgrain on much of the blade. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. We can see however that there was some overall light oxidation staining, which was polished away, making the cross grain a bit faint in areas. The top edge of the blade also has two significant nicks in it, along with some rough areas, so it was definitely struck against something hard at some point. The last 1/2" of the blade also has some bending present. The blade does not however look to have been sharpened, as we often see on USGI bring back items.

The reverse of the blade is stamped with the Anton Wingen Jr. "Standing Knight" trademark logo:

Anton Wingen Jun., Stahlwarenfabrik was a cutler and metalsmith company first founded in Solingen, Germany in 1888, and was formally registered in late 1901. They first came to prominence during WWI with their high quality hunting and combat knives, which were popular with troops. They acquired the "Knight" logo from Clauberg in 1920, and continued using it through the Third Reich period. This particular trademark was the style of logo they used on smaller knives, such as the HJ knife, per J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. The company continued operation well after the war, finally closing in 1997.

The scabbard is a classic steel example, and looks to originally have been nickel plated, which is now mostly worn away, with only some areas on the sides near the drag still retaining the plating. The rest shows a polished steel patina from cleaning to remove oxidation. There is a bit of a bend to the body, but no dents we can see, and it still has crisp finely grained pebbled panels. The nickel alloy carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, with hand enhancing evident on each of the leaves, though they do show some moderate oxidation. The carrying rings are also non-magnetic.

A very good example from a rare Solingen maker with a very nice blade and scabbard, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Overall length: 14 1/4”
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 11"

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.