Item:
ONSV23SOS297

Original German WWII Personalized Army Heer Dagger by F. W. Höller of Solingen with Scabbard

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the well-known Solingen-based firm of F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), a highly desirable maker of edged weapons. The fittings on this dagger look to be all silver plated over aluminum base metal, which has oxidized causing a lot of flaking. There is also a professionally engraved set of initials on the rear of the crossguard, reading A. St., most likely the initials of the owner.

The plated aluminum pommel of this dagger is in good condition, with probably 40% of the plating remaining, while the rest has flaked away, leaving an oxidized patina. The remaining plating also shows some lovely tarnishing in areas. There is some wear around the rim of the pommel, but it looks like most of the issues are age and storage related. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed and have good backgrounds. The silver plated crossguard is in similar condition, missing about half of the plating, showing oxidation where it has flaked away. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The grip ferrule is also plated, and is in lovely good condition, showing lovely overlapping oak leaves and acorns. It is made from a different material, possibly brass, and has not had any plating loss.

The celluloid grip of the dagger has faded to a caramel color, and is in very good condition, with no cracks or chunks missing. There are some stains and dirt in the grooves, and the color is a bit lighter on one side than the other. This degradation is prompted by light exposure, so one side got most exposure than the others. The grip is still tight on the tang, with no wobble we can detect. The leather blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the cross guard.

The excellent condition blade is bright throughout, the original factory final grind cross grain over almost the entire 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 a bit of light staining on the blade, but no real rust, and it really looks great. There is just a bit of runner wear and swirls from cleaning, which has made the cross grain a bit faint.

The ricasso is maker marked with a "losenge" style trademark logo that reads F. W. HÖLLER / SOLINGEN, surrounding the trademark Höller "Thermometer" emblem. This is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons. F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), located in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. During the WWII Period they manufactured many SA and NSKK daggers, both with their "thermometer" trademark and later with the RZM code M7/33. They also produced numerous 98K bayonets and other edged weapons. The firm was founded in 1866, and registered in Solingen in 1883. By 1900 ownership had passed to Emil Höller, and it continued manufacture after WWII, finally closing in 1974. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS.

The scabbard is a fine example, and is plated steel. This straight scabbard has very crisp, finely grained panels. The brass alloy carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, though a bit worn. The throat is the thinner style, and is secured by flush screws on the narrow sides of the scabbard. It is silver or nickel plated, and has a lovely oxidized look. There is not really any flaking we can see, just the usual light patination, making this a great example.

A great example from a well-known Solingen maker, complete with scabbard and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 1/2"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14
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.

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