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 bullion portepee.

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, with one noticeable scratch or crack. 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 very good condition, and 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. For this reason the naval portepee cord is longer than those used on other models of daggers. The color is well retained, and there is just a bit of fraying on the slider and around the "knot", as well as some scattered small stains. The scabbard locking button is fully functional, and shows light 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 is in excellent condition, and we almost thought it was a nickel plated example, but there are a few spots of staining, so it is definitely carbon steel. There are some swirl marks from cleaning and the scabbard, but overall it's really in great shape, with a nick free edge and intact needle tip.

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. The sword correctly has the letter "i" from the company name on the blade where it pierces the text. 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 is in very good condition, with just a bit of a bend and some small dents. It actually still retains some of the original gold wash near the throat and hanger ring bolsters, and really looks great. The scabbard is stamped with well-defined palmettes around the bands and lightning bolts, ermine feet and acanthus leaves down to the chape. The bands feature overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The ring ferrules are the triple serrated type, and the rings are still present. The throat is retained by cheese headed screws on the narrow sides, however only one is present. The finish overall is still very nice, with a lovely patina.

Attached to the upper ring is a very nice example of the upper hanger used on these daggers, which is really in great shape. The obverse of the hanger is a black moire material, while the reverse is covered in fine, high-pile black velvet. The snaps, Lion's Head buckles, and slides are of gilded aluminum, which show only minor wear on the protruding features. The upper snap is complete with a brass chain and regain hook, used to "hitch up" the dagger when needed.

Overall a great example of a hard to find dagger by a legendary maker, complete with an original portepee and upper 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”