Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Heer Army Officer Dagger manufactured by Lauterjung & Sohn PUMA-Werk of Solingen, complete with its original scabbard. It is a particularly attractive example with an ivoroid style celluloid grip showing simulated ivory grain, well detailed plated fittings, extensive surviving factory Pließten crossgrain on the blade, a clear PUMA trademark, and a straight dent free scabbard retaining much of its original plated finish.

The hilt fittings have developed an attractive aged patina. The zinc alloy pommel remains in very good condition with only light service wear and oxidation. The standing oak leaves and acorns remain crisply defined, with good relief and darkened recessed backgrounds.

The crossguard is also a plated alloy, apparently zinc based, and shows only light wear. The characteristic Heer eagle remains exceptionally well defined through the head, breast, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swas. The original leather blade buffer remains present within the guard recess.

The grip ferrule is plated steel and retains the majority of its finish with only light oxidation, matching the aged appearance of the other hilt fittings.

The grip is made from ivoroid type celluloid molded to simulate the grain and appearance of natural ivory. It has matured to an attractive aged ivory tone, with darker coloration remaining in the grooves. The surface shows light wear and scattered scratches but no chips, cracks, or missing sections. The hilt remains firm on the tang with no appreciable wobble.

The blade is in excellent condition and retains extensive original factory crossgrain, known in German as Pließten, across both sides. 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 fine longitudinal finish is an important surviving factory characteristic on German edged weapons because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture.

On this PUMA blade the crossgrain is concentrated on the beveled surfaces rather than the central flats, consistent with other examples from this maker. There is only scattered very light staining and minor runner wear from normal contact with the scabbard. The edges remain correctly unsharpened and free from dents, and the blade tip remains fully intact.

The reverse ricasso carries the PUMA trademark consisting of the Puma's Head logo above:

PUMA
SOLINGEN

This is the trademark logo of Lauterjung & Sohn, Puma-Stahlwarenfabrik / Puma - Werk of Solingen, Germany, the legendary "City of Blades" (Klingenstadt). This is a known producer of SS, SA, and NSKK daggers during the Pre-WWII period and after. This company was originally founded on a small scale in 1796, Nathanael Lauterjung officially opened a cutlery and knife making workshop in Solingen during 1855. After his death, the name was changed and registered as "Puma-Werk", to avoid confusion with the other Lauterjung-owned workshops in Solingen. For more information, please see J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The accompanying steel scabbard remains straight and free from dents. It appears to retain a substantial amount of its original silver colored plated finish, which has matured with age while still showing good surface definition.

The finely grained scabbard panels remain crisp. The carrying bands display overlapping oak leaves and acorns with strong hand enhanced detail, though some service wear is visible on the higher points.

The throat is the thinner pattern and is retained by two domed screws positioned on the narrow sides of the scabbard.

Overall condition is very good to excellent. The dagger retains strong detail throughout the pommel and crossguard, an especially attractive ivoroid grip without cracks or losses, extensive factory Pließten, a crisp PUMA maker trademark, an unsharpened blade with intact tip, and a straight dent free scabbard. The principal condition points are light oxidation and patina to the fittings, minor grip scratches, very light blade staining and runner wear, and some wear to the scabbard carrying bands.

With its PUMA Solingen maker mark, simulated ivory grain celluloid grip, extensive surviving factory crossgrain, sharply detailed Heer fittings, original blade buffer, and well preserved scabbard, this is a strong example of a German WWII Heer Officer Dagger. It would fit especially well in a Heer edged weapon, PUMA, Solingen maker, German officer dagger, or advanced WWII militaria collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10 1/4"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14 7/8“
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 11"

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.