{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-heer-army-officer-dagger-by-e-f-horster-of-solingen-with-scabbard","title":"Original German WWII Heer Army Officer Dagger by E. \u0026 F. Hörster of Solingen with Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a very nice German WWII Heer Army Officer's Dagger manufactured by the well-known \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSolingen firm of E. \u0026amp; F. Hörster\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, complete with its matching nickel-plated steel scabbard. The dagger displays an attractive, naturally aged appearance, with well-defined hilt decorations, a distinctive pumpkin-orange grip, and the manufacturer's original trademark etched into the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hilt fittings are constructed from nickel-plated zinc alloy, retaining portions of their original finish, with exposed areas now displaying oxidation and a dull blue-gray patina. The pommel remains in very good condition, with its decorative oak-leaf pattern clearly defined around the circumference. The crossguard is somewhat better preserved, retaining considerable nickel plating across the protected surfaces, with wear concentrated along the exposed edges. Its beautifully executed Heer eagle retains excellent detail throughout the head, breast, extended wings, feathering, and talons, with a wreathed swas. held beneath. The original leather blade buffer remains seated beneath the guard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe molded celluloid grip has faded to a pleasing pumpkin-orange color through prolonged light exposure and aging. Its deep spiral grooves remain well defined, although cracks extend downward along either side from the upper pommel fitting. These are characteristic of the deterioration that can develop in aged celluloid, which becomes increasingly sensitive to temperature changes over time. The grip ferrule is constructed from nickel-plated steel and retains an attractive appearance despite some oxidation and surface discoloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spear-point blade remains in good condition, although it has undergone considerable past oxidation and cleaning, leaving much of the steel with a subdued, somewhat mottled finish. Faint traces of the original factory fine-polishing work, known in Solingen as Pließten, remain visible in certain areas. The cutting edges remain unsharpened, as appropriate for a ceremonial dagger, and are largely free of dents or other significant damage. There is some darker oxidation staining toward the point, which also displays a slight bend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse ricasso is acid-etched with the manufacturer's trademark:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eE. \u0026amp; F. HÖRSTER\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSOLINGEN\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inscription surrounds the firm's distinctive oval trademark, incorporating a downward-pointing sword through a stylized monogram. E. \u0026amp; F. Hörster was an established Solingen edged-weapon manufacturer with a long history of producing military swords, bayonets, and ceremonial weapons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying scabbard is constructed from nickel-plated steel and remains in very good condition, retaining its straight, dent-free shell. The finely pebbled surface panels remain sharply defined, with a pleasing amount of the original nickel plating surviving beneath light oxidation and age-related discoloration. Both carrying bands are manufactured from nickel alloy and feature an elaborate repeating pattern of oak leaves and acorns, with their raised decorations remaining particularly crisp. The suspension rings are constructed from steel and show some darkening from oxidation. The throat is of the thinner pattern, secured by a single dome-headed screw on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, this dagger remains in very presentable condition, displaying the expected effects of age and previous handling. The most notable condition concerns are the celluloid grip cracks, oxidation and past cleaning to the blade, and slight bending at the point. The hilt retains excellent decorative detail, while the scabbard is particularly well preserved, with its complete suspension fittings and straight, dent-free construction. A very appealing Hörster-manufactured Heer Officer's Dagger, suitable for display and further study.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade Style: Spear Point Dagger\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: \u003cb\u003e9 7\/8 inches [25.1 cm]\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: \u003cb\u003e14 1\/2 inches [36.8 cm]\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard Width: \u003cb\u003e2 3\/4 inches [7.0 cm]\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: \u003cb\u003e11 1\/16 inches [28.1 cm]\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe German Army Officer's Dagger (Heer-Offiziersdolch) was officially introduced on May 4, 1935, during the reorganization of Germany's armed forces under the newly established Wehrmacht. Its adoption formed part of the revised uniform regulations accompanying the expansion of the Heer, which replaced the Reichswehr earlier that year. The design is generally credited to the Berlin artist Paul Casberg, who was involved in the development of military and political insignia during the Third Reich period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dagger was authorized for officers as an optional dress sidearm, particularly for wear with walking-out and certain service dress uniforms. German officers had traditionally worn sabers as part of their military attire, a practice inherited from the Imperial Army and continued under the Reichswehr. The new dagger offered a more compact ceremonial sidearm while preserving the longstanding association between edged weapons and commissioned military rank. The saber remained part of the prescribed uniform for appropriate formal occasions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfficers generally obtained their daggers through private purchase from military outfitters or established edged-weapon manufacturers. This commercial system allowed individual firms to supply the regulation pattern while incorporating their own manufacturing methods, materials, and trademarks. The dagger was worn suspended from a double hanger attached to the uniform belt, usually accompanied by a silver-colored officer's portepee. Although these accessories were part of the prescribed dress arrangement, they were purchased and supplied separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eE. \u0026amp; F. Hörster\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e was among established manufacturers. The firm's history dates to the 19th century, with its origins generally traced to approximately 1850. By the late Imperial period, Hörster had developed a substantial business producing military swords, sabers, and bayonets for German service and foreign customers. Its international trade included ceremonial and parade weapons supplied to military organizations outside Germany. During WWI, the company also participated in the large-scale manufacture of edged weapons required by the Imperial German armed forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe outbreak of WWII and the increasing demands placed upon German industry gradually affected the manufacture and availability of military dress equipment. Strategic materials were increasingly directed toward combat requirements, encouraging the use of less expensive alloys and simplified production methods. Restrictions introduced during the war eventually curtailed the manufacture and wearing of ceremonial edged weapons. Production of Heer officer daggers was ordered discontinued in May 1943, and further wartime regulations in September 1944 prohibited their wear. By the closing stages of the conflict, ceremonial sidearms had largely disappeared from authorized everyday military dress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHörster survived WWII and continued operating within the Solingen edged-weapon industry during the postwar decades. Following the financial collapse of Carl Eickhorn in 1975, Hörster acquired a substantial portion of that firm's assets, designs, and rights associated with its trademark. \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eE. \u0026amp; F. Hörster\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e ultimately ceased operations in 1996, ending a manufacturing history spanning approximately a century and a half.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46075227177029,"sku":"ONSV26MJL026","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/B4EEFEC9-90F5-4ED7-8263-8FE330EC37CB.jpg?v=1792610292","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-heer-army-officer-dagger-by-e-f-horster-of-solingen-with-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}