Original German WWII Heer Army Officer Dagger by P.D. Lüneschloss of Solingen with Scabbard, Hanger, and Portepee

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautiful condition Army Officer's Dagger, produced by the well-known Solingen-based firm P.D. Lüneschloss. complete with its original scabbard, hanger, and portepee knot. The fittings on this dagger look to be plated alloy, probably zinc or aluminum, and the finish is very well retained, so we cannot say for certain their composition.

The pommel is in very good condition, showing just a bit of wear through around the bottom edge and on the very bottom. The standing oak leaves and acorns are crisply detailed around the pommel, and the original plating has oxidized and tarnished where it is still present, which is why the sides and bottom have a dark color to them.

The crossguard looks to be made in the same way, with plating over the alloy, which is still very well retained, but showing just a bit of wear on the sharp edges. The details throughout the characteristic eagle are exceptional throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas. The back of the guard does show some more advanced oxidation and plating loss. The plated steel grip ferrule looks great, with all the details still present, has had some of the plating wear off. The grip on this example is celluloid over a wood base, and has faded to a lovely amber color due to light exposure. It shows just a bit of antiquing in the grooves, and there are no dents, chips, cracks, or other damage. Really a great grip here!

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 excellent condition, still showing the factory final polish grind cross grain strongly throughout the blade. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. Aside from the usual runner wear, there is very little wear on the blade, though it does show spots of past oxidation staining on both sides close to the tip. The needle-like tip is still intact, with no bending, and the edge is still nice, with no chips or sharpening. The leather blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the guard.

The ricasso is etched with the P.D. Lüneschloss trademark oval logo, which is still very well retained:

P. D. LÜNESCHLOSS
(Roman Helmet & Sword Trademark)
SOLINGEN

The well-known P.D. Lüneschloss, Fabrik blanker Waffen (Factory of Bare Weapons) company was founded in 1810 by Peter Daniel Lüneschloss, and produced numerous edged weapons, both for domestic and foreign contracts. They manufactured many private purchase officer's swords and blades for the U.S. Civil war. This logo was particularly used during the Third Reich period, per J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The scabbard is a very good example, made from high quality nickel plated steel, and showing no dents or bends to the body. There is now oxidation and wear to the plating, particularly on the sides, which now show the steel base metal. This scabbard has very crisp, finely pebble grained panels, and the carrying bands have a very nice overlapping oak and acorn motif, a common design seen on German edged weapons. They look to be made from tombak alloy, only used on early examples, and they have lost some of their original plating and also show wear to the acorn design. The throat is the thinner style, and was originally secured with a single flush-mount screw on the rear 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 beautiful example from a well known Solingen maker, 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 7/8“
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 11"

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.