Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Army Officer’s Dagger, complete with scabbard, hanger, and portepee, making a nice complete rig. 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 pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing wear and scratching around the edge, with some loss of plating. The plating elsewhere is almost entirely present, with a great lightly aged patina. The plated crossguard is in similar condition, with almost all of the plating intact, and wear on the edges. The details throughout the eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross). The grip ferrule is also plated, and is in good condition with some wear, having been protected by the portepee.
The grip is a great ivory color, and has not turned orange over the decades. This grip is in very choice condition with some minor imperfections. Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It is in good condition, and definitely shows oxidation. It also has damage close to the end ball, where one side tore through, and then was stitched and wrapped with thread.
The very good condition blade is mostly bright throughout, showing much of the original cross grain. The tip is still intact, with no bending, just some light wear. Overall finish does show some speckled staining and oxidation in a few places, though the edge is still nice, with no major chips or sharpening. There is the usual runner wear on the blade surface, however this is present on just about every dagger out there.
The scabbard is a fine example, and is plated steel, with a slight bend to the body that does not interfere with sheathing the blade. It has very crisp, finely grained panels. The carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, though they do show light wear. The throat is the thinner style, and has a single flush securing screw on the rear of the scabbard. It is silver or nickel plated, and has a lovely look. There is just a bit of flaking on the tip of the scabbard, making this a great example.
Attached to the scabbard is a very good condition belt hanger, with functional pebbled spring clips with a great patina. The buckles and keepers are engraved with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger. On this example all of the hardware is aluminum, except for the spring clips, which look to be plated zinc. The straps are in good condition, with very little wear to the bullion side. The rear however does show wear, with most of the green felt material worn off of the back. There are no signs of any type of repairs on the hanger.
A very nice example, 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.