Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive original German WWII Heer Army Officer's Dagger manufactured by C. Gustav Spitzer AG of Solingen, complete with its original scabbard and a particularly desirable light ivoroid grip. The dagger retains extensive original blade crossgrain, a clearly visible Spitzer “Prancing Lion” maker mark, crisp hilt detail, and a straight nickel plated scabbard. The unusually well preserved ivory colored grip is one of the strongest features of the piece, as many comparable examples have darkened considerably with age.

The pommel and crossguard appear to be nickel plated cast zinc alloy, consistent with wartime production. The pommel remains in very good condition overall, showing light scratching around the edge together with some oxidation and small areas of pinprick plating loss. Much of the original plated finish is still present. The standing oak leaves and acorns around the sides remain crisply defined with good recessed detail.

The crossguard is in similar condition, retaining much of its original plating while showing wear through at the corners and other raised contact points. The surface has developed a lightly oxidized aged patina with scattered pinpricking that closely matches the pommel.

The characteristic Heer eagle on the crossguard remains very well defined. Detail is still strong through the head, breast and wing feathering, talons, wreath, and central hook cross. The grip ferrule is plated steel and retains most of its original finish, with some localized flaking.

The grip is an especially attractive light ivoroid example and has avoided the pronounced orange discoloration often encountered on aged synthetic grips. It retains the pale ivory tone associated with its original appearance and shows only light handling wear. There are no cracks or missing sections that we can see, with only some attractive age toning and accumulated antiquing in the grooves.

The hilt remains mostly firm on the tang. The crossguard does have a small amount of movement, which should be noted when handling the dagger.

The blade is in very good condition and retains extensive original factory crossgrain, known in German as Pließten, across both sides. This texture is created by polishing the blades with large leather covered wheels using a slurry of extremely fine grit, and is nearly impossible to replicate using modern means. For advanced edged weapon collectors, the survival of this fine longitudinal finish is an important surviving factory characteristic on German edged weapons because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture.

Scattered oxidation staining is present across a good amount of the blade surface. Some of this appears to have been cleaned in the past, but not aggressively enough to remove the factory Pließten, though the maker logo darkening is faint. Light runner wear is visible along the flats, as commonly encountered from contact with the scabbard. The blade edge remains correctly unsharpened, and the tip is intact without bending. The original leather blade buffer also remains present within the recess of the guard.

This fine example was produced by rare maker C. Gustav Spitzer AG, Stahwaren-Fabrik (Steelware Factory), and rear of the blade is stamped with the company's name and address marking surrounding their "Prancing Lion" trademark:

C. GUSTAV SPITZER
(Lion Trademark)
SOLINGEN

The lion is very well executed, with his left front paw high in the air, with a wagging tail and a flicking tongue. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1863 by Carl Gustav Spitzer, and later registered in Solingen in 1883. Solingen had been internationally renowned for centuries for its blade making industry and became known as the Klingenstadt, or “City of Blades.” It made pocket, sporting, and hunting knives, and by 1928 was owned by Ernst Spitzer. They manufactured several different types of knives during the war, including specifically early SA daggers bearing their lion trademark. They also manufactured various private purchase "walking out" bayonets.

The accompanying scabbard is a classic nickel plated steel Heer officer dagger type and remains straight and free from dents. The side pebbling is still crisp and well defined. The plated finish has developed an attractive aged patina, with some flaking along the narrower sides of the scabbard.

The carrying bands display an attractive overlapping oak leaf and acorn pattern with visible hand enhancing to the individual leaves. The bands show moderate oxidation and a good amount of wear along the narrow sides of the scabbard, but the decorative detail remains strong.

For the Heer officer dagger collector, this Spitzer example has a particularly appealing combination of features: the scarce maker attribution, highly attractive light ivoroid grip, extensive surviving blade crossgrain, clear lion trademark, original leather blade buffer, crisp plated hilt detail, and straight original scabbard. The scattered blade oxidation, localized plating loss, and slight movement in the crossguard are fully disclosed, while the unusually well preserved grip and strong factory finish make this an especially attractive example for a German WWII edged weapons or Solingen maker collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14 1/2“
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. These daggers are often encountered with an aluminum portepee.