Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition German Army Officer's Dagger, produced by Richard Abr. Herder AG, Stahlwarenfabrik, of Solingen, Germany, complete with its original scabbard and portepee sword knot. The fittings on this dagger look to be nickel plated zinc alloy, which now has matured to a lovely lightly tarnished patina. The alloy pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing only light wear with most of the original plating still intact, with just a bit missing around the edge. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed and have good backgrounds.

The plated crossguard is in similar condition, with a lovely color, showing only light use from service, and the leather blade buffer is still present. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The plated steel grip ferrule looks great, with the plating mostly intact, with a bit of light oxidation. The celluloid grip is in good shape, with a lovely "caramel" orange color. It shows some light staining and dirt, and does have some cracking near the cross guard. Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It definitely does show wear, with the aluminum bullion exterior having worn away in some areas, especially near the ball on the end.

The blade is in very good condition, mostly bright throughout and having much of the factory final polish grind original cross grain visible. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The blade does show signs of overall cleaning, probably from light staining and oxidation, which has made the cross grain faint overall, except near the ricasso. The needle like tip of the dagger is intact, and the edge is correctly unsharpened, with no dents or other damage.

The ricasso of the blade on this example is marked with the early style "Double Arc" trademark logo of Richard Abraham Herder AG, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware Factory) of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. This early marking has the address in two arcs surrounding their "four pointed star diamond" logo:

RICH. A. HERDER
(DIAMOND LOGO)
SOLINGEN

The Herder name is well known in Solingen, and this branch originally registered in 1884 as a steelware maker. As time went on they specialized in Drop Forging, and supplied blade blanks to Erfurt Arsenal and other companies. During the Third Reich period, they continued to make their own edged weapons, as well as supply blades to smaller makers. The earlier "double arc" trademark had been used on WW1 98/05 bayonets, and was specifically used on early production Army Officer daggers such as this example, per J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The scabbard is a fine example, and is steel with what looks to be nickel plating, much of which is retained. This straight scabbard has very crisp, finely grained panels. The plated zinc carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, and show very little wear. The throat is the thinner style, and has flush head screws on the thinner sides of the scabbard, one of which is missing. The plating is still mostly bright on the scabbard, giving it a great look!

A really good example of this model of dagger, from a rare Solingen maker and complete with portepee & scabbard. 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.