Original WWII German 2nd Model Kriegsmarine Naval Dagger by Carl Eickhorn with Lightning Bolt Scabbard - Post 1941 Trademark

Original Item: Only One Available. We just purchased this Kriegsmarine dagger at a large military show. It is a fine Solingen-Produced totally original WWII German 2nd Model Naval Dagger by the legendary firm Carl Eickhorn, complete with the original gilt "lightning bolt" style brass scabbard. This is a very good condition used example, which looks to have seen light to moderate use in service during the war.

This example was almost certainly purchased by a high ranking officer during the early war period, as the pommel fittings gilt brass, not the plated alloy they would be towards the end of the war. It has very deeply inset wings and an impressive vault wreath. The crossguard is the standard Eickhorn type, very well executed and heavily hand-enhanced. The gilding is worn on the contact points of the grips, and we can see a good amount of the brass in those areas, which now shows a lovely mellow patina.

The grip is in very good condition, still showing the original ivory color, without any of the discoloration that we usually see. It shows just a bit of wear and some dirt in the grooves, as well as some scrapes on the reverse, where there is also a small crack right by the cross guard. The twisted brass wire wrapping is in very good condition. There is little wear to the grip overall, so it does not appear to have been handled often. The scabbard locking button is present with an intact spring, however the catch is not functional, probably having cracked and slid too far into the cross guard long ago.

The blade is a typical unplated example, with an excellent fouled anchor etch on both sides of the carbon steel blade. It is in very good condition, still bright and shiny in most areas, though we can see some signs of past polishing and cleaning. There are some swirl marks from cleaning and the scabbard, but overall it's really in great shape, with a nick free edge and intact needle tip. There is a bit of fading to the dark background in the etching.

The blade's ricasso is stamped with the post 1941 Eickhorn simplified trademark: a seated "regardent" squirrel looking backward over its shoulder, with the firm's name and location, ORIGINAL / EICKHORN / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, and were particularly desirable even among other Solingen producers. Their "Field Marshall" series of officer's swords are all highly collectible. 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 lightning bolt scabbard is in very good condition, and does show some light denting  from use, but still looks great. The original gold wash is most worn away, still retained in more protected areas, with the balance now displaying a lovely aged brass patina. The scabbard is stamped with well-defined palmettes around the bands and lightning bolts, ermine feet and acanthus leaves down to the chape. The bands feature overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The ring ferrules are the triple serrated type, and the rings are still present. The throat is retained by "dome-head" screws on the narrow sides, which are both still present. The finish overall is still very nice, with a lovely patina.

Overall a lovely service used example of a hard to find dagger by the most famous of all Solingen makers, complete with the original scabbard! A worthy addition to any knife collection. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Overall length: 15”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 11 1/4”