Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a lovely condition Prussian Fire Official's Dagger / Dirk with scabbard, made during the early Weimar Period following WWI. The design is more or less identical to those used during the German Empire period, as the NSDAP had not yet taken over and began to "NSDAPify" all aspects of German life.

This example is typical, with what look to be solid "German Silver" fittings, which were then silver plated and possibly blue oxide coated. The crossguard has engraved panels on both sides with leaf or feather designs, not the usual fire helmet and axes that we see. The pommel is a lovely leaf covered globe design, much like those used on the Pre-NSDAP period naval daggers. There is still a good amount of the plating and oxide coating remaining, particularly towards the finials of the cross guard. The balance shows a lovely oxidized nickel patina.

The grip on this example is black celluloid covered wood, which was then bound with twisted wire wrapping. The grip definitely shows some wear, and there is a bit of chipping near the pommel. The wire wrapping is in great shape, with some dirt and oxidation in the grooves of the grip. The pommel is tight on the blade tang, however the grip and crossguard are loose due to the grip shrinking. There is still a felt blade washer on top of the cross guard.

The blade on this example is etched nickel-plated steel, and is for the most part in very good condition, though the last two inches or so near the tip has lost the plating and suffered oxidation. This is most likely due to contact with the leather scabbard, which draws moisture to the sword, as well as chemicals from the leather. The rest of the blade still retains the plating very well, and the tip is still pointy and unbent. The edge is not sharpened, as is correct, though there are multiple small dents on both sides, probably from play fighting with the dirk.

The etching is very well executed, and on both sides are panoplies of fire fighting related regalia. One side shows a ladder, axes, and helmets, while the other side shows hoses forks and pikes, surmounted by an early design pump. These are between lovely foliate designs, and are definitely the types of motifs you would expect on a Fire officials dagger.

The ricasso of the blade is stamped with the “Knight’s Helmet” (Ritter-helm) logo of legendary German maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of 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 German Silver mounted leather scabbard is in very good condition, showing only light wear to the fittings. The silver plating on the fittings is still very well retained, along with much of the blue oxidized coating. The black patent leather body shows more wear, with some cracking and flaking of the finish, as is common.

A lovely Early Weimar Period German Fire Officials Dress Dagger, ready to display!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 15 1/8"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 20 1/4“
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 5"

The Weimar Republic (German: Weimarer Republik), officially the German Reich (Deutsches Reich), also referred to as the German People's State (Deutscher Volksstaat) or simply the German Republic (Deutsche Republik), was the German state from 1918 to 1933. As a term, it is an unofficial historical designation that derives its name from the city of Weimar, where its constitutional assembly first took place. The official name of the republic remained the German Reich as it had been during the German Empire because of the German tradition of substates.

Although commonly translated as "German Empire," Reich here better translates as "realm" in that the term does not necessarily have monarchical connotations in itself. The Reich was changed from a constitutional monarchy into a republic. In English, the country was usually known simply as Germany, and the Weimar Republic name became mainstream only in the 1930s.