Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used wartime production Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm of W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, a highly desirable maker of edged weapons. The alloy pommel of this dagger is in very nice condition, showing light wear and oxidation overall, with the original plating and antiquing still mostly present, though worn. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed, though the rings right by the grip show some deformation. We can also see some stress cracks on the lower edge of the pommel, probably from the alloy aging.

The zinc alloy cross guard is in similar condition, still retaining much of the original plating, but definitely showing wear from cleaning and use. The details throughout the characteristic WKC eagle are still present throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross). The leather blade buffer is still present in the recess on top of the guard. The grip is a great amber color, aged from the original ivory white. This grip is in very good condition, showing some light cracking and chipping near the pommel, but no major damage. The alloy grip ferrule is in lovely condition, showing a great lightly oxidized patina.

The blade on this dagger has definitely seen exposure to the elements, and now displays a stained patina with signs of pats water staining and light peppering, now partly cleaned away. We still can however see some areas near the ricasso where the original factory final polish crossgrain is still evident. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The needle-like tip is intact and unbent, and the edges have correctly not been sharpened, though cleaning has made the overall geometry a bit "soft".

The reverse ricasso is etched with the trademark "Knights-Head" (Ritter-helm) logo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen, over the firms initials of WKC / SOLINGEN. 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 scabbard is a classic WKC example, and looks to originally have been bright zinc plated, which has turned a lovely gray color over the years, showing no real areas of wear through. This scabbard does not have any dents we can see, and it still has crisp finely grained panels. The 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.

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

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 14 3/4”
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.