Original German WWII Heer Army Officer Dagger with Scabbard, Hanger, and Portepee - Excellent Unmarked Blade

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition Army Officer's Dagger, complete with the original scabbard, belt hanger, and portepee knot. 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. This dagger looks to have been fit with cast zinc, which was fully silver plated. It does not look to have seen much use or wear, which has allowed the plating to tarnish and oxidize naturally for decades.

The pommel of this dagger is in very good condition, showing wear and light scratching around the edge, as well as a spot of wear through on the bottom. The standing oak leaves and acorns around the sides are crisply detailed and have good backgrounds, and the pommel shows a lovely dark blue overall. The cross guard is in similar condition, and the details throughout the characteristic eagle are very good throughout the head, breast and wing feathering, talons and wreathed mobile swas (hook cross). The grip ferrule is plated steel, which is still bright and shiny, having been covered by the portepee.

The celluloid grip on this dagger has faded a bit to a nice amber color, showing some wear in areas. One side is a bit darker than the other, so that was probably exposed to light more. The grip is in very good condition, showing some small scratches, and checking, but no cracks or chips. The grip is still tight on the tang, and the original blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the guard. Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion thread portepee (sword knot), tied in the Heer fashion. It is in very good condition, looking to have been fitted to the dagger for quite some time. There is some fraying in areas, but no major loss of bullion or exposure of the underlying cords.

The blade is in excellent condition, one of the best we have seen in some time, with the original factory final grind cross grain retained throughout the blade surface. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is just a bit of light wear on the blade flats from the scabbard runners, as well as just a bit of scattered staining, including some on the very end of the blade. The tip and edge are fully intact, making this a truly great example that would be very hard to improve upon!

The scabbard is a fine steel example with what looks to be silver plating, which has tarnished overall, giving it a great dark blue color overall. The scabbard body is still straight and dent free, and retains its very crisp, finely grained pebbled panels. The alloy carrying bands have an excellent pattern of overlapping oak leaves and acorns, which are nicely enhanced, but also show some wear on the edges. The throat is the thinner style, and is retained with a single flush-mount screw on the reverse.

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, which look to be made from zinc alloy, while the buckles and box loop are alumium. The original plating on the clips is still partly retained, while the aluminum components are still bright. The scabbard clips are all marked with the "barred A" trademark, of F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, a large maker of belts, buttons, and other accouterments. 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.

An excellent example of an Army Officer Dagger with a great blade, complete with an 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 3/4“
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. These daggers are often encountered with an aluminum portepee.