Original German WWII Army Heer Officer Dagger with Scabbard – Unmarked Blade Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Army Officer’s Dagger, complete with the original scabbard. The blade on this example is unmarked, but this is not unusual, as many smaller outfitters would purchase finished blades and blade blanks from major factories, and then fit the blades themselves. The zinc alloy pommel of this dagger is in good condition, showing only light wear, though it has either lost all of the original plating, or was produced without any. It now displays a gray oxidized zinc finish, and the standing oak leaves and acorns on the sides are crisply detailed and have good backgrounds.

The zinc alloy cross guard is in a similar condition, showing a lightly oxidized zinc finish with no traces of plating, and it also still shows the original cleaning marks on the exterior. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are very good throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross). The grip ferrule is plated steel, and it actually still has visible silvering.

Unlike most we see, the celluloid grip on this dagger has not faded from the original ivory color, and really looks great! These very often fade to orange or even brown due to light exposure over the years. It does show some staining in the grooves as well as a few cracks, and there is an area near the pommel that shows long term wear from a strap or something similar. The hilt is a bit loose on the blade, and it feels like the pommel nut feels like it may be stripped, so it cannot be tightened. The original blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the guard.

The very good condition blade is mostly bright with a few spots of wear and oxidation. The original factory final grind cross grain is visible throughout the blade, something we do not often see. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is some wear from cleaning, as well as the usual runner wear. There is also some scattered staining that was cleaned away, making the grain faint. The tip is still intact, and while most of the blade is not sharpened, it is a bit sharp near the end of the blade. We are not sure if this was done post war, or just how this maker made the blades.

The scabbard is a fine straight example with no major dents or bends, and is made from steel with what looks to be nickel plating, which is very well retained. There is some of the plating missing, which has allowed the steel to oxidize, and over all the scabbard has a lovely lightly used look. This scabbard has very crisp, finely grained panels. The zinc alloy carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, but also show some wear and oxidation. The throat is the thinner style, and has a single “flush mount” securing screw on the reverse.

A very nice example of an Army Officer Dagger, complete with an original scabbard and 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.