{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-early-army-heer-officer-dagger-by-f-w-holler-of-solingen-with-excellent-blade-scabbard-and-hanger","title":"Original German WWII Early Army Heer Officer Dagger by F. W. Höller of Solingen with Excellent Blade, Scabbard, and Hanger","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII early Heer Army Officer Dagger by F. W. Höller of Solingen, complete with its scabbard and two strap hanger with sliding clips. It is an especially attractive early production example with silvered and oxidized hilt fittings, an amber toned celluloid grip, and an excellent blade retaining nearly full original factory \u003cem\u003ePliesten\u003c\/em\u003e crossgrain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pommel is a nickel alloy fitting with a silvered surface and surviving blue gray oxide finish. The standing oak leaves and acorns remain crisp and well defined, while wear around the lower rounded edge has removed some of the oxide coating and exposed the brighter silvered surface beneath. The eagle crossguard appears to have been finished in the same manner, with surviving oxide in protected areas and wear from handling and past cleaning. Detail remains strong throughout the eagle’s head, breast and wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile hook cross. The ferrule appears to be plated steel and retains much of the same blue gray finish without notable exposed steel or active oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grip is celluloid over wood and has aged to an amber ivory tone. One side is slightly lighter than the other from differing light exposure, and there is only light staining. No cracks, chips, or major structural damage are present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is in excellent condition and retains the full factory final polish grind crossgrain on both sides, a finish known in German as \u003cem\u003ePliesten\u003c\/em\u003e. It 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 original crossgrain is an especially important feature because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe edges of the blade are still correctly unsharpened, and the tip is intact with just a miniscule bent at the very tip. There is some runner wear on the blade flats, present on jus t about every example out there. Only some small stains on the rear near the tip keep it from being \"MINT\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ricasso is etched with a \"losenge\" style trademark logo surrounding the trademark Höller \"Thermometer\" emblem, which reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eF. W. HÖLLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Thermometer)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eF.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik\u003c\/em\u003e (Weapons Factory) is a well- known maker located in Solingen, the legendary \"City of Blades\" (Klingenstadt) in western Germany. During the WWII Period they manufactured many SA and NSKK daggers, both with their \"thermometer\" trademark and later with the RZM code M7\/33. They also produced numerous 98K bayonets and other edged weapons. The firm was founded in 1866, and registered in Solingen in 1883. By 1900 ownership had passed to Emil Höller, and it continued manufacture after WWII, finally closing in 1974. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's fine work \u003cem\u003eGERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is a high quality silver plated steel example that also originally carried a blue gray oxidized finish. Most of that surface treatment has worn away through age, handling, and cleaning, leaving a predominantly tarnished silver appearance with traces of darker oxide remaining. The body is straight and free of major dents, with finely pebbled panels still well defined. The carrying bands are iron or steel and feature overlapping oak leaf and acorn decoration. The narrow throat is retained by a single screw on the rear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttached to the scabbard is a two strap hanger with functional pebbled spring clips of the sliding type. Both clips are marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD.R.G.M.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buckles and keepers carry matching oak leaf and acorn decoration. Some original plating remains on the fittings, while other areas have worn through to the oxidized zinc base metal. The straps remain in very good condition with the bullion fronts well preserved and the velvet plush backing largely intact, showing only light wear and some age related fraying along the edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is excellent, with the blade being the standout feature due to its nearly complete factory \u003cem\u003ePliesten\u003c\/em\u003e crossgrain, unsharpened edges, and minimal staining. The strongest additional features are the early silvered and oxidized hilt fittings, intact amber celluloid grip, straight scabbard, F. W. Höller Thermometer trademark, and complete sliding clip hanger. The light hilt finish wear, minute tip bend, runner wear, scabbard finish loss, and hanger edge fraying are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Heer officer dagger, F. W. Höller, early production Army dagger, Solingen edged weapon, or advanced German WWII dagger collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 10\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Spear Point Dagger\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 14 1\/2“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2 3\/4”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 11\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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. This early war version is quite nice, and in great shape.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45623922589765,"sku":"ONSV26CC120","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/56C82214-36AC-4704-AE92-33621D55B3C3.jpg?v=1787944362","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-early-army-heer-officer-dagger-by-f-w-holler-of-solingen-with-excellent-blade-scabbard-and-hanger","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}