{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-early-excellent-heer-army-officer-dagger-by-carl-eickhorn-of-solingen-with-scabbard-hanger-and-portepee-1935-1941-trademark","title":"Original German WWII Early Excellent Heer Army Officer Dagger by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen with Scabbard, Hanger and Portepee, 1935-1941 Trademark","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent early German WWII Heer Army Officer Dagger by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, complete with its original scabbard, hanger, and aluminum bullion portepee. It retains an exceptional blade with strong factory crossgrain, early style oxide finished fittings, an attractive caramel colored celluloid grip, and the seated squirrel Eickhorn trademark used from approximately 1935 to 1941.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pommel is in very good condition and appears to have been plated and then given a dark oxide finish, producing a deep blue gray tone. The standing oak leaves and acorns remain sharply defined, with only light wear around the lower edge. The crossguard is finished in the same manner and likewise retains much of its oxide coating, with localized edge wear exposing the silver plated layer beneath rather than the base metal. The eagle remains exceptionally crisp through the head, breast and wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile hook cross. The grip ferrule retains much of the same darkened finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe celluloid grip has aged to an attractive caramel tone and remains in excellent condition, with only minor wear and staining and no visible cracks or chips. The front is darker than the reverse from differing light exposure over time. There is a slight amount of movement in the hilt assembly on the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn original aluminum bullion portepee is wrapped around the grip and crossguard in the Heer style. It appears to have been on the dagger for a considerable period and remains in excellent condition overall, with only minor fraying to the bullion and some loss of aluminum finish around the neck of the knot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is one of the strongest features of this dagger. It remains 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 needle point remains straight and intact, and the edge is correctly unsharpened with no chips or other significant damage. There is only light runner wear together with a few small oxidation stains. These have been left untouched to avoid disturbing the original crossgrain. The original leather blade buffer also remains in place within the guard recess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse ricasso carries the early Carl Eickhorn trademark:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eORIGINAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Seated Squirrel with Sword)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEickhorn\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis seated squirrel trademark is associated with Eickhorn production from approximately 1935 to 1941. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, \u003cem\u003eGERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. \u003cstrong\u003eEickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is constructed from plated steel and originally carried the same dark oxide treatment as the hilt fittings. The plating remains very well preserved, while most of the blue gray oxide finish has worn away from the broader surfaces and survives more strongly along the narrow sides. The body is straight with no major dents or bends and retains crisp pebble grained panels. The carrying bands display overlapping oak leaf and acorn decoration, and the thinner style throat is secured by a single rear cheese head screw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original hanger remains attached and is in very good condition. Both pebbled spring clips are functional and are the sliding type, each 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 the same oak and acorn motif seen elsewhere on the dagger. The zinc alloy fittings retain portions of their original plating, with some areas still bright and others showing age tarnish. The straps retain their bullion fronts and velvet plush backing, with only light wear along the edges and no major fraying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its excellent factory crossgrain blade, early 1935-1941 seated squirrel Eickhorn trademark, strongly preserved oxide finished fittings, attractive caramel grip, original portepee, straight plated scabbard, and D.R.G.M. marked sliding hanger, this is a particularly complete and attractive Heer Army Officer Dagger. The slight hilt movement, minor blade staining, light runner wear, localized fitting wear, and loss of oxide finish from portions of the scabbard are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Carl Eickhorn, Heer officer, early German WWII edged weapon, or advanced 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 5\/8“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2 3\/4”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 11 1\/8\"\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":45674584834117,"sku":"ONSV26CC117","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/3E897398-F4D7-47BD-9F6D-4F6661631B88.jpg?v=1788376722","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-early-excellent-heer-army-officer-dagger-by-carl-eickhorn-of-solingen-with-scabbard-hanger-and-portepee-1935-1941-trademark","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}