Original German WWII Era Miniature Hirschfänger Stag Handle Etched Forestry Dress Cutlass Letter Opener Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. In use for centuries, the German Hirschfänger (Deer Catcher) long hunting daggers have always made lovely display pieces, as well as military sidearms. Many of the early bayonets used by the various German States were based on the Hirschfänger design, which is both simple and elegant, almost a short sword in practical terms.

The Hunting and Forestry organizations under the German monarchy were often controlled by aristocrats and well-heeled businessmen. They were generally not organizations inhabited by the common man. The purposes were generally formed for the conservation of game and forestry. Elaborate hunts were great occasions for the well-heeled, while the ladies used the hunting lodges for match-making and gossip. The cutlasses of these Imperial organizations were often extremely ornate, or they could also be utilitarian, made to perform the final killing thrust on game. Both types were often owned by a single individual. Many examples were used strictly for dressing up the beauty of a hunting/forestry uniform.

During the period of NSDAP control, the many Hunting and Forestry associations were one of the last areas to be taken over by the NSDAP. Even as WWII loomed, the The German Hunting Association (Deutsche Jägerschaft), headed by Reich Hunting Master Hermann Göring, still did not have absolute control.

This is a very nice example of a “Miniature” WWII Era German Hirschfänger Stag Handled Shooting Cutlass, which we have not seen the like of before! Often referred to as “salesman samples”, there is definitely debate over the purpose of these miniature knives, which are quite useful as letter openers as well. They are constructed much as the full size examples, but the idea of a miniature to be used as a sample by sales staff seems somewhat suspect, as the real thing isn’t excessively large.

The hilt is fit with nickel plated brass, with a slightly curved stag horn grip, and it has a lovely “S” shaped crossguard with the form of opposed Deer’s hooves, very commonly seen on these shooting cutlasses. There is also a scallop shell guard on one side, much like those seen on earlier “hunting sword pistols”, which in this case actually looks quite like an actual scallop. The plating on the hilt has oxidized in many places, giving it a great broken in look.

The handle bears an NSDAP Deutsche Jägerschaft (German Hunters) D J insignia on the handle, with a Swas between the antlers of a buck. This is one of the organizations that officially took over for the Forestry associations during the period. It may have been added at some point after 1933.

The blade has lovely etched panels on both sides, showing floral engraving as well as animals in the forest. These are very well executed and preserved, with just a bit of oxidation on the plated blade, which is also missing the blade washer, though we do not know if it originally had one. There is no scabbard included.

A lovely German WWII Era Hirschfänger Forestry Association miniature dress cutlass. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 6 3/4″
Blade Style: Hirschfänger w/out Fuller
Overall length: 10 3/8”
Crossguard: 2 1/4”