Original Cold War Era East German DDR Volksmarine (‘VM’) General Officer’s Brocade Dress Belt, Buckle, & Dagger Set With Presentation Case Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of an East German Volksmarine “People’s Navy” (VM) Officer’s Belt, Buckle, and Dagger with the correct scabbard, hanger, and presentation case. The generals/admiral daggers of the DDR were adopted for wear in 1960. They made their first public appearance during the May Day Parade of 1961. The majority of these daggers are identical in appearance, being of lacquer-coated polished brass. However, some presentation daggers were gold-plated and this one appears to be an example of one. This gold plating was discontinued after 1983.

The General Officer’s Brocade Belt With Buckle ia in fantastic condition, with the belt retaining some stiffness from sitting in a box in this exact position for so many years. The blade ricasso bears no manufacturer marking but does have the serial number 1303 present. The sword hanger is also in stellar condition. In a sense, these daggers have dual history showing how hard it was for people to recover after the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of Germany. The box is in great shape with a red exterior and a blue cloth interior.

This is a fantastic complete set with belt, buckle, dagger, and the original hanger which allows the entire set to display together. A lovely example ready for further research and display.

Some of the gold dagger scabbards were engraved and some were not like this example. The only two types of engravings now known to be legitimately documented and accepted for DDR daggers are “Presented by the Minister for National Defense of the DDR”. Regular officers’ daggers are also documented as having these same presentation inscriptions from the minister of defense. Some of these were engraved after the collapse of the DDR.

The overall condition is quite nice and definitely displays in the case quite nicely with great contrasting colors. The case itself measures approximately 24” long, 6⅝” deep, and 1⅞” tall. Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4″
Overall length: 14 1/4″
Crossguard: 4 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11”