Original German WWII Army Heer Officer Dagger by E. & F. Hörster of Solingen with Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition German WWII Heer Army Officer’s Dagger, made by the well known Solingen-based firm of E. & F. Hörster GmbH. It has a lovely lightly worn look showing that it saw real service during the war. The zinc alloy pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, Though it has most almost all of the original plating, now displaying an oxidized dull blue gray color. The oak leaf side panel is still fully visible and well executed.

The plated crossguard is in somewhat better condition, still showing a love of the original silvering / plating on the sides and top, with wear through on the edges as is typical. The details throughout the eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross). The leather blade buffer is still present in the recess of the guard, which is still tight on the blade.

The steel grip ferrule is also silver-plated, and is in good condition with some light oxidation. The grip is has faded to a nice light caramel color, typical of celluloid grips from this period. This grip is in very good condition throughout, though it does have cracks on either side due to age. The celluloid degrades over time and can become very sensitive to temperature changes.

The blade is in good condition, still showing traces of the original factory final polish grind cross grain, in areas. For the most part however, it shows a somewhat dull steel finish from light oxidation staining and past cleaning. There look to be some rust / water stains near the tip, which is also slightly bent. The edge is still nice, with no major chips or dents, and has not been sharpened, which is correct for dress daggers such as this.

The reverse ricasso of this dagger is acid etched with maker name E. & F. HÖRSTER / SOLINGEN in an oval “lozenge” around the company’s trademark downward pointing sword piercing interlocking HHS initials. E. & F. Hörster & Co Gmbh, is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons. Originally founded in 1850 as “Friedrich Hörster” in 1850, the company was renamed to E. & F. Hörster in 1870 at the behest of Friedrich Emil & Fritz Hörster. The firm lasted long after WWII, finally being declared insolvent in 1996. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

The scabbard is a fine example, and is silver plated steel, with a mottled look due to plating loss and oxidation. This straight scabbard has very crisp, finely grained panels, with only a few small dents and no bending. The carrying bands look to be made from nickel alloy, and have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, though they do show wear. The throat is the thinner style, retained by a single dome-headed securing screw on the rear.

A very nice example from a well-known Solingen maker, ready to research and 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.