Original German WWII Heer Army Officer Dagger by Carl Eickhorn with Scabbard, Hanger, & Portepee - 1935-41 Trademark

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm Carl Eickhorn, complete with its original scabbard, hanger, and portepee knot. The alloy pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing light wear around the bottom edge. It looks to have been silver plated and then oxide coated, which originally would have had a lovely deep blue color overall, however it has been cleaned and polished, so now the fittings are mostly bright silver over a zinc alloy base. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed around the pommel, and there is just a bit of plating flaking around the edge.

The crossguard looks to be made in the same way, and now is mostly bright, with areas where the plating has bubbled off, very common with zinc alloy fittings. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The grip ferrule looks to be plated alloy, and matches the other fittings well. The celluloid grip has faded to a lovely dark pumpkin orange color, showing just a bit of wear and staining, and no damage we can see.

Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It shows a bit of light wear and fraying to the cord, but overall is in very good condition.

The blade on this example is in very good condition, still mostly bright and shiny, though there is definitely evidence of past staining and light oxidation that was polished away. The factory final polish grind cross grain can still be seen clearly closer to the cross guard, while it is fainter in other areas of the blade. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The needle-like tip is still intact, with no bending, and the edge is still nice, with no chips or sharpening, however it is a bit rough from past oxidation staining and cleaning.

The rear of the blade is clearly etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and the firm's name and location, Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers. The original leather blade buffer is in place within the recesses of the guard.

The scabbard is a fine example, and is made of high quality plated steel, which then had the same blue oxide coating applied as on the other fittings. which is now a bit worn. The scabbard body is straight and dent free, and still has finely pebble grained panels, which show only light wear. The plated alloy carrying bands have a very nice overlapping oak and acorn motif, a common design seen on German edged weapons. The throat is the thinner style, and has "cheese head" securing screws on the narrow sides of the scabbard.

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. The clips are the more desirable "sliding" type, both marked D.R.G.M. on the back, indicating it is a trademarked design. The original plating on the zinc alloy fittings is still partly retained, with some remaining bright, while other areas have tarnished. The straps are in very good condition, showing the bullion on the front well, and the velvet plush material on the reverse is well retained, showing light wear. There is some age to wear and fraying to the edges of the straps.

A lovely example from the most legendary of all Solingen makers, complete with its original scabbard, hanger, and portepee. This is the full setup! Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/16"

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.