Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used condition Army Officer's Dagger, complete with the original scabbard and belt hanger. The blade on this example is unmarked, but this is not unusual, as many smaller outfitters would purchase finished blades and blade blanks from major factories, and then fit the blades themselves. This dagger looks to have been fit with aluminum, which was fully silver plated, possibly with an oxide finish. It then saw long use, so little of the plating remains.

The pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing wear and denting around the edge, and is missing most of the original plating on the bottom, while the sides still retain it in the recesses. The standing oak leaves and acorns around the sides are crisply detailed and have good backgrounds, and the pommel has a great aged look. The cross guard is in similar condition, and the details throughout the characteristic eagle are fairly good throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross), though there is definitely some wear and loss of definition. The grip ferrule is plated steel, which has lost most of the plating and oxidized a bit.

The celluloid grip on this dagger has faded a bit to a nice amber color, showing some wear in areas. One side is a bit darker than the other, so that was probably exposed to light more. The grip is in very good condition, showing some small scratches and checking, with some small chips missing near the ferrule. The grip and cross guard are a bit loose on the tang, and the original blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the guard but worn.

The blade is in very good service used condition, and while there is no damage to the edge or tip from use or sharpening, there is past oxidation peppering and light pitting present, which has mostly been cleaned away. This has left some dark rough areas, particularly on the lower half of the blade. The oxidation and cleaning have also completely removed any of the original factory final polish grind crossgrain. Definitely a blade that saw long service, very possibly in the elements.

The scabbard is a fine steel example with what looks to be nickel plating, showing light oxidation overall but no major flaking or other damage. The scabbard body is still straight and dent free, and retains its very crisp, finely grained pebbled panels. The alloy carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, but also show some wear on the edges. The upper band looks to have been a bit loose, and was stabilized with some glue. The throat is the thinner style, and is retained with a single flush-mount screw on the obverse.

Attached to the scabbard is a very good condition belt hanger, with functional pebbled spring clips with a great patina. The buckles and keepers are embossed with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger. The clips are the more desirable "sliding" type, which look to be made from plated zinc alloy, as is the rest of the hardware. The original plating is still partly retained, but also shows oxidation, giving the hardware a great aged look. The clips are the more desirable "sliding" type, both marked D.R.G.M. on the back, indicating it is a trademarked design. The straps are in very good condition, showing the bullion on the front well, and the velvet plush material on the reverse is well retained, showing light wear.

A very nice example of an Army Officer Dagger, complete with an original scabbard, and hanger, ready to display!

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