Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic wartime production 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 the first item of any type we have had from this very desirable maker. It comes complete with a lovely belt hanger for the scabbard, as well as a great aluminum bullion portepee sword knot wrapped around the handle. Even better, it has the name of the owner engraved on the back of the cross guard, which reads:

Hch. Ernst

This is the usual abbreviation for the "Heinrich Ernst", however we do not know if this is their first and last name, or whether it is just their first and middle name, as Ernst was both. It represents a very nice bit of research potential, and really adds to the piece, as it was very well executed.

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. 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 some 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 celluloid covered wood grip on this dagger has faded quite a bit to "caramel" color, showing some wear in areas. It is a bit lighter under the portepee, which shows that it has been on the dagger for a long period of time. There is a chip missing on the rear of the grip, but otherwise it is in great shape and very attractive. The hilt is still tight on the tang, and the original blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the guard.

Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It shows a bit of light wear and fraying, as well as some bullion loss on the knot, but overall is in very good condition.

The excellent condition blade is bright throughout, showing the original cross grain throughout the blade surface. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The needle-like tip is intact and unbent, and the edges have correctly not been sharpened. There is the usual runner wear on the blade surface, however this is present on just about every dagger out there. There is also just a bit of past oxidation in a few areas. This is definitely one of the best German dagger blades that we have ever seen!

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.

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 engraved with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger. The clips are the more desirable "sliding" type, both marked D.R.G.M. on the back, indicating it is a trademarked design. The original plating on the fittings is retained at a bit under 50%, still shiny but definitely showing wear and oxidation. The straps are in great shape, showing the bullion on the front well, and the velvet plush material on the back shows little to no wear.

An excellent Heer Army Dagger from a rare Solingen maker, with a lovely inscribed cross guard! Complete with scabbard, hanger, and portepee, this is the full setup! Ready to research and 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.