Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic wartime production Heer Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the very rare Solingen-based firm of Hans Kolping, Alpina-Werk, which was only founded in 1939. This is only the second item of any type we have had from this very desirable maker, with the previous example being another Army Officer's dagger. It comes complete with its original scabbard, and the two really make a lovely set.

This dagger looks to have been fit with cast aluminum, which was then plated and antiqued to give it a great look. The pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing wear and light scratching around the edge. The original plating is still well retained on the sides and bottom, with a good deal of the antiquing still present, while the area around the rim is worn. The standing oak leaves and acorns around the sides are crisply detailed and have good backgrounds.

The aluminum alloy cross guard is in similar condition, with much of the original plating present except on the corner wear areas, with much of the antiquing still present. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are very good throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross). The grip ferrule is plated steel, which still retains most of the original finish and antiquing.

The grip on this example is a great ivory colored celluloid covered wood example, which has not faded to orange as so many have. This is the color they are supposed to be, and it is very rare that we see one so unfaded. It shows light wear, with a small chunk missing on one side. The hilt is still tight on the tang, and the original blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the guard.

The blade is in very good condition, showing the original factory final polish grind cross grain throughout the surface on both sides. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. We can see some oxidation staining, as well as some runner wear, and there is just a bit of rounding at the tip. The edge is correctly unsharpened, an there are no dents or other damage to the edge.

The reverse ricasso is etched with the double oval marking of Hans Kolping, Alpina-Werk, which has their trademark "Bierstein with the letters H K S" logo in the center. Surrounding this is the firms name and location H. KOLPING / SOLINGEN, and research shows that they were located in the Wald Borough at this time. The company was a relative newcomer compared to most, having been founded in 1939 and registered in Solingen on April 16, 1941. They were known for making many Deep Sea divers knives during the Third Reich, which bore their oval trademark. This same marking was used on their army officer's daggers as well as first model Luftwaffe daggers. This company would go on to purchase the remnants of W.K.C. in 1955. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, page 345.

The scabbard is a classic example, and looks to have been silver plated over the steel body, which was then oxide coated. Cleaning over the years has removed a lot of the oxide coating, so it now shows a bright silver color on much of the scabbard shell, with more oxidation and tarnishing towards the bottom. This scabbard does not have any dents we can see, and it still has crisp finely grained panels. 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 the lower band has a portion that cracked off, and was glued back on.

A very nice Heer Army Dagger from a rare Solingen maker, complete with a lovely unfaded grip and scabbard. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14 1/2“
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.