Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of the typical German WW2 Army Officer dagger with belt hanger and portepee, made by the Solingen-based firm of Max Weyersberg, Waffenfabrik. The pommel of this dagger is in nice condition, showing some wear around the rim but nothing bad, with a nice patination on the plating on the end and sides. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed, with minimal wear.

The crossguard also shows most of the original plating, and has a fine dark patination. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The grip is has faded to a nice orange color, typical of celluloid grips from this period. This grip is in almost perfect condition throughout, with just a bit of staining and wear. Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It is in very good condition, with a small amount of fraying in areas.

The scabbard is a fine example, with a great patina and most of the original plating intact, which is now oxidized. This straight scabbard has very crisp, finely pebble-grained panels. The carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are worn from age. There is some wear on the rest of the scabbard, but no real rust or corrosion where the plating is missing. It also is dented/pinched in on the very tip of the body. The throat is the thinner style and is held in place by two dome-head screws on the sides. The throat is very tight, so removing the dagger takes some effort.

Attached to the scabbard is a very good condition belt hanger, with functional pebbled spring clips with a great dark patina on the plating. The buckles and keepers are engraved with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger, and are marked DRGM on the rear. The hanger straps show light wear, with a bit of fading on the bullion side, however the velvet on the reverse is almost completely intact.

The carbon steel blade is nice and mostly bright, with small areas of staining. It still has almost all of the original factory final polish crossgrain, with the expected runner wear. The needle-like tip is still intact, however there are a few nicks on the edge, though all are minor. The large leather blade washer is still intact and in place in the cross guard. The reverse ricasso is maker marked:

Max Weyersberg, Waffenfabrik was located at Katternbergerstrasse 176 in Solingen Germany, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. The firm was founded in 1920, and registered with authorities in 1933 as a maker of cutlery, hunting/sporting knives, and edged weapons. WMW WAFFEN was their main trade name, and was originally pierced with a sword. However later in the period the WMW / WAFFEN marking with the enlarged "M" was used.

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.