Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm Carl Eickhorn. The alloy pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing only light wear with almost all of the original plating still intact.It has a nice aged patina throughout, and the standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed and have good backgrounds.

The plated crossguard is in similar condition, with a lovely patina, showing only light use from service. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The grip ferrule looks great, and has a lovely lightly oxidized patina on the plating, having been protected by the portepee.

The grip has faded a nice aged yellow ivory color, much lighter than the usual orange we see. This grip is in almost perfect condition throughout, with just a bit of wear and small scratches. It is slightly lighter on one side, indicating that side was protected from the light where it was on display before. Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It is in good condition, showing period wear near the grossguard, which has caused fraying in the aluminum bullion cords.

The blade on this example is in excellent condition, with no staining we can see, and only light wear from cleaning and runner wear. The factory final grind cross grain is entirely intact, and can be seen easily in the light. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The needle-like tip is still intact, with no bending, and the edge is still nice, with no chips or sharpening. This is a truly choice blade!

The rear of the blade is etched 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. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

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 original leather blade buffer is in place within the recesses of the guard.

The scabbard is a fine straight example with no denting, and is made of high quality plated steel. This scabbard has very crisp, finely pebble grained panels, and the carrying bands have a very nice overlapping oak and acorn motif, a common design seen on German edged weapons. The throat is the thinner style, and has a single "cheese head" securing screw on the rear of the scabbard. The finish looks to be silver or nickel, and is in great shape, with a lovely dark patination of age. The top of the throat is still lighter in color, having been protected by the cross guard.

Attached to the scabbard is a very good condition belt hanger, with functional pebbled spring clips with a great patina. The end clips are the more complex and desirable sliding type. The buckles and keepers are engraved with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger. The hardware is marked D.R.G.M., indicating that these were registered in the German trademark office. The straps are in great shape, showing moderate wear to the bullion thread. The velvet is well retained on the reverse sides.

A fantastic example from a legendary maker, complete with a hanger and portepee! This is the full setup!

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. This early war version is quite nice, and in great shape.