Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely 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 fittings on this dagger look to be silver plated nickel alloy, which was then plated and antiqued to give it a great look. This is usually only seen on early production daggers, and later zinc alloy was used. The pommel is in very good condition, showing wear through around the bottom edge and on the raised area of the bottom. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed around the pommel, with some of the antiquing still present in the recessed areas.

The crossguard looks to be made in the same way, with antiqued plating over the alloy, which is relatively well retained, showing wear on the sharp edges and sides. The details throughout the characteristic WKC eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The grip on this example is celluloid over a wood base, and has faded to a nice amber color, relatively very close to the original ivory white. This grip is in very condition, showing light staining and wear, with just one small crack near the pommel end. The steel grip ferrule is also silver-plated, which has eroded a bit, allowing some rust to show. The leather blade buffer is still present inside the guard, and the hilt is solid on the blade.

The blade on this example looks to have suffered overall light oxidation staining in the past, which was partly cleaned away. In spite of this, we can still see the original factory final polish grind cross grain in many areas of the blade surface. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There has not been any sharpening of the blade, however there is light denting and a small chip on the edge, and the tip is a bit rounded with a slight bend. The blade could probably be polished to look better, but that would disturb the great patina of age it has.

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 silver plated with an oxide coating, as with the handle fittings, however it also has mostly worn away. We did note however that the scabbard is mostly non-magnetic, probably made entirely from a nickel alloy like "German Silver", with the only steel part being the runners inside. There is some denting and a bit of a bend, common due to the softer alloy. The sides of the scabbard still have crisp finely grained panels, showing some wear to the pebbling. 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 and wear to the softer alloy.

A lovely service used early pattern Heer Army Dagger from the legendary WKC, complete with scabbard and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14 5/8“
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.