Original Item: Only One Available. We just purchased this Kriegsmarine dagger at a large military show. It is a fine Solingen-Produced totally original WWII German 2nd Model Naval Dagger by the legendary firm Carl Eickhorn, complete with the original gold-plated "lightning bolt" style brass scabbard. This is a very nice service worn example, showing wear to the scabbard and blade, and it comes with a partial belt hanger and service worn portepee. This definitely looks like it saw long service!

This example was almost certainly purchased by a high ranking officer early in the wartime period, as the pommel is a 1938 changeover type. It has very deeply inset wings and an impressive vault wreath. The details to this bird are also choice, with a striking eye, beak and breast. The crossguard is the standard Eickhorn type, and has the portepee wrapped around it. The grip is in excellent condition, with an unfaded ivory color celluloid covering, with just a bit of wear. The twisted brass wire wrapping is in excellent tight condition. There is little wear to the grip overall, so it does not appear to have been handled often.

The portepee itself is in good condition, though it does show light wear and a bit of oxidation. The bullion and string going to the end ball is almost completely worn through, so it is literally hanging on by a thread. It definitely has been tied on for some time, as indicated by the oxidation and wear pattern, and is most likely the original purchased with the dagger. It is tied in the correct Kriegsmarine style, which is much more complex than the style used by other branches, due to the association of knot tying with naval service. The scabbard locking button is fully functional, and shows wear and patination.

The blade is a typical unplated example, with an excellent fouled anchor etch on both sides of the carbon steel blade. It definitely looks to have been exposed to sea air, as there is past pitting on both sides of the blade, which has been cleaned away. This has made the dark background of the etching somewhat faint.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and the firm's name and location, Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. This company is a legendary producer of edged weapons, and were particularly desirable even among other Solingen producers. Their "Field Marshall" series of officer's swords are all highly collectible.

According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The "lightning bolt" scabbard definitely shows some wear, and has a pretty sizable dent on the top between the two hanger rings, and a bend near the chape. It's stamped with well-defined palmettes around the bands and lightning bolts, ermine feet and acanthus leaves down to the bottom chape. The bands feature overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The ring ferrules are the rarer double serrated type, and the rings are still present. The throat is retained by two dome headed screws on the narrow sides, which do not appear to have been removed. It still does show a lot of the original gold finish, with the rest now showing a mustard patina. There is the upper half of a hanger attached to the upper ring, with the end tied in a knot.

Overall a very nice service used example of a hard to find dagger by a legendary maker, complete with an original worn portepee and partial hanger! A worthy addition to any knife collection. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15 3/8”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 11 1/4”