Original German WWII Army Heer Officer Dagger by E. & F. Hörster with Factory Lacquered Hilt & Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good example typical German WWII Army Officer dagger with the correct scabbard and portepee, made by the by the well-known Solingen firm of E. & F. Hörster, Waffenfabrik (weapons factory). Unlike most that we see, this example had lacquer applied at the factory to the fittings, protecting them from oxidation and wear. This is very well retained, and has faded over time to a lovely golden yellow color, only achieved after decades! Definitely a great looking example!

The lacquered and plated pommel of this dagger is in good condition, showing a bit of wear around the rim, and some bubbling / peeling of the bottom plating due to corrosion of the alloy base metal. The standing oak leaves and acorns on the sides are crisply detailed and have good black backgrounds. The cross guard also shows much of the original plating and lacquer, with wear through to the base metal on some of the corners and on the reverse. The details throughout the eagle are good throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas.

The celluloid grip of the dagger has faded to a caramel pumpkin color, more pronounced on one side than the other. This degradation is prompted by light exposure, which is why this happens. This grip is in good condition throughout, with just a few small scratches and some dirt in the recesses, without any major cracks or chips. The steel ferrule is intact, and in very good shape with the lacquer and silver plating well retained.

The carbon steel blade is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish, with some areas of past staining and speckling and oxidation that were cleaned away. This has unfortunately made the factory cross grain faint in areas. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The edge has correctly not been sharpened, and the needle like tip is still fully intact. The leather blade washer is still intact and in place inside the crossguard.

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 dent-free silver-plated steel example, with a great golden color and almost all of the original plating and lacquer intact. The sides have very crisp, finely pebble-grained panels. The alloy carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, with hand enhancing evident on each of the leaves. The throat is the narrow style, retained by a single dome headed screw on the reverse.

Overall a very nice example of a German Heer Officer’s Dagger with scabbard by a well-known maker, with a rare factory lacquer coating present! 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. This early war version is quite nice, and in great shape.