The German Army (Heer) first carried a dagger beginning in 1935. The weapon was worn in lieu of occasions not demanding the wear of a 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 swastika. 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, i.e. a decorative tassel wrapped about the grip.

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1.  AOD #27179C Aristocrats Personalized Army Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

   This beautiful Army dagger is a most exciting piece. It belonged to an aristocrat who may have been a Knights Cross winner as well as an Army General, but we will get to this in a minute. The dagger itself is a choice-conditioned example which rates mint throughout. The fittings on this dagger are the early 2nd style. The early 2nd style cross guard is slightly different from what I show in my Army book on Page 25, being a progression of the 1st style which is shown on Page 24. The cross guard itself depicts a choice eagle design with breast checkering, which is slightly finer than Page 25, but, yet not as fine as Page 24. This is the prime difference between these eagles. The eagle, though, is in fantastic condition and clutches a wreathed raised out swastika. Even the talons have been hand-enhanced on this bird. The pommel is a fine 2nd style type having 12 oak leaves around the perimeter. The ferrule is the 2nd type, being exactly like I show on Page 25. The grip of this example is a beautiful darker orange color and the tones are the same throughout. This grip is in totally perfect condition.

   Now we want to get to the engravings that present themselves on this choice dagger. At the pommel top, taking up almost the complete surface is the engraved family crest of this original owner. The crest is in a shield shape being split into four quadrants. Two of the four quadrants each depict the same scenes and are positioned opposite each other. At the ten o?clock and four o?clock quadrant are depicted what appears to be two powder horns. The backgrounds of these depictions have been nicely lined for a shaded effect. On the other two quadrants which would run from two o?clock to eight o?clock, there is a scene of a prancing stag with a good set of racks. The backgrounds here have a series of random pebbled designs to give them relief. It is quite rare to see a family crest on the top of a pommel. On the reverse of the cross guard is a beautifully engraved five-point crown. Beneath the crown are the letters ?v.N-W.?. These initials and crown belong to the aristocratic family of ?von Nostitz-Wallwitz?. Unfortunately, there is no first initial in this personalization, so it is difficult to determine which of the von Nostitz-Wallwitz family members owned this dagger. There has been research conducted which accompanies the dagger. The research shows five members of the von Nostitz-Wallwitz family who could have owned this piece. One of them was in the foreign service, so it probably would not be him. Two other younger members were both First Lieutenants and it is doubtful that the dagger belonged to either of these two. The two oldest members of the family ?Eckhard von Nostitz-Wallwitz? and ?Gustav Adolf von Nostitz-Wallwitz? were the two oldest and likely one of these was the owner of the dagger. Eckhard was a First Lieutenant in 1936 and went on in the war to be associated with a Panzer regiment. He was killed in Russia in 1943. Gustav Adolf, on the other hand, was a First Lieutenant in 1930 and became a Major in 1937. 1937 would most likely be the date that Eickhorn produced this 2nd style variation cross guard, so there is a good chance that when Gustav Adolf von Nostitz-Wallwitz achieved this rank, he purchased the dagger. After this, he became a Lieutenant Colonel with an artillery regiment in 1940 and in 1941, became a Panzer commander, winning the German Cross in gold. In 1942, he was in Russia and was involved with the Stalingrad fiasco. In 1944, he was with Panzer Artillery Regiment 89. At this time, he won the Knight?s Cross and was promoted to General Major. In 1945, he was killed on 31 May. So, there is a better than even chance here that this personalized dagger belonged to a Wehrmacht General and Knight?s Cross winner. It would be up to the next owner to conclusively prove this ownership. This is a very exciting piece, indeed.

   Getting to the rest of the description, the scabbard is a standard 2nd style Eickhorn example, having good pebbled surfaces. The scabbard shows just hints of frosting in the protected areas around the carrying bands and the throat area. The thicker throat is retained by a center placed screw in the reverse. The blade of this example is as nice as they come. It has a full mirror mint surface with 100% of the original graining. The needlelike tip is in place and this dagger blade easily rates in full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the 1935-41 squirrel design. The original small brown leather washer is in place protecting this fine blade. This is a grand opportunity to obtain an outstanding dagger. If the original owner was indeed the Knight?s Cross winner, this dagger could be worth far more than its advertised price. If he was not, it is still a fantastic piece which would be the highlight of most collections. It is very rare to find an Army dagger with this aristocratic family Wappen along with the crown and family name. Very rare offering here and guaranteed original dagger.

   Mint. $5,995.00

2.  AOD #26064C Army Officer Dagger Presented to Afrika Korps Panzer Commander Oberst Johann Mickl - PD Luneschloss

   This Army Officer?s dagger has all-silvered fittings and they are the generic ?B? variety, being identical to the style I show in my Army book on Page 99. The pommel is the usual type we see with the ?B? generic cross guard, being the style with threaded stem inside, and having 14 leaves running around its perimeter. The cross guard eagle is an extremely good-looking example, having noble head, excellent breast and wing feathering, fine detail to the wreath and a highly-vaulted swastika. The grip is a beautiful egg-yolk yellow type, being in perfect condition. There is a 42 cm portepee in the proper tie wrapped about the hilt. The scabbard is a standard generic variety being identical to Page 120. The blade of this example is in pristine, mint condition, having the standard sword-piercing-helmet, double ellipse trademark, used by the P.D. Lüneschlöss firm. However, all of this is of little consequence, as it is the presentation appearing between the scabbard bands on the reverse that is of astounding nature. It is interesting to note the engraver removed the pebbled surfaces of the paneled area between the bands so that the four-line engraving could be easily read. This engraved dedication is ?UNSEREM KOMANDEUR/OBERST J.MICKL HERZLICHEN/GLÜCKWUNSCH ZUM RITTERKREUZ/DIE STOLZEN 155 er?. This dedication basically translates to ?TO OUR COMMANDER COLONEL J. MICKL WITH HEARTFELT BEST WISHES ON THE KNIGHT?S CROSS AWARD FROM THE PROUD 155 er?. Oberst Mickl was one of Rommel?s Panzer commanders and was instrumental in Rommel?s fight against Tobruk in North Africa. He won the Knight?s Cross for his outstanding leadership, and as the Allies were soon to learn, Rommel and his Panzer generals were huge adversaries despite their smaller numbers. Mickl went on to win the oak leaves for operations in Russia on 6 Marz 1943. At that time, he was the commander of the 25th Panzer Greniedere regiment. He was later killed on 10 April 1945, while commanding the 392nd Croatian Infantry division. At that time, he had been promoted to General Leutnant and had been wounded five times. This dagger was owned by one of the great German Panzer commanders who, to this day, were responsible for the reputation which will live on through history of these fantastic trained troops. He was a career officer, having served in both wars. This is a grand opportunity to own a dagger in which a whole display could be built around. This dagger comes with a large dossier detailing Mickl?s career. It is a wonderful artifact and would make even the most advanced collectors in our community smile. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

   Mint Minus. $9,995.00

   
   

3.  AOD #31258C Personalized Army Officer Dagger belonging to Panzer Grenadier Regiment Commander - E. & F. Hortster

   This Army example is a fairly early made piece by E & F Hörster. This early dagger looks very much like the piece that I show in my Army book on page 38 and it also has a larger logo as is shown on this piece. The fittings are beautifully silver-plated. The pommel is the style that has fourteen standing oak leaves with alternating acorns. The rim of the pommel is nice and smooth and the top portion shows just the most modest signs of carrying wear. The silvering has nicely patinated and is in perfect condition. The same is true of the crossguard eagle. This eagle is a very early type having close graining to the breast. The head has a hand engraved eye and beak. This bird carries a well defined wreath also having handwork and a mobile swastika raised out of the center. An extremely good looking crossguard. The ferrule is also an early type nicely matching the two hilt fittings The reverse of the crossguard has the name of its original owner banged into the surfaces. It appears to have done with single die stamps and most likely by the original owner himself. The name is “A. V. UNCER”. This name belongs to a panzer officer and we will get to this in a minute but I want to finish the description of the dagger. The grip of this example is one of the early slant type. It is a real beauty throughout and other than a small fleck of material which has come off between the separators of the sections on the center reverse the grip is perfect. It is a very pleasing popsicle orange color. Decorating the hilt is a fine portepee. This portepee has the regular size cording and other than age has no fraying at all. A very fine hilt here!

   The scabbard is also a real beauty. This scabbard is straight throughout and has fine pebbled panels. It has excellent early style carrying bands featuring overlapping oak leaves which all seem to have small amounts of hand enhancing especially on the areas at the ends where the casting flaws were. This scabbard is identical to the example that is shown on page 38. The throat is the same width as the book piece and it is retained by two dome head side screws in the same manner. These screws do not look like they have ever been touched. A beautiful mint scabbard with patina matching the hilt fittings. It is also worth noting that this early Hörster dagger has matching numbers stamped throughout its internal hilt parts. The number “14” is stamped on the lower pommel rim on the front of the grip under the ferrule, and on the lower portion of the grip it is notched on the right side with one notch and on the center with four notches which of course equates to 14 and on the crossguard beside the tang clearance hole on the lower end it is stamped and also on the tang obverse. Hörster always like to stamp their fittings and although you don’t see it on later pieces these number systems were often used on their early examples especially naval daggers. The blade of this example is also a real killer. It is extremely bright throughout and has almost all of its crossgraining and needlelike tip. This beautiful mint blade is etched on the reverse with the larger double ovals. We seldom see this trademark on army officer daggers. The firm’s name and location is retained between the two ovals, “E&F Hörster Solingen”. Inside is a large “H” letter and inside of the letter is a smaller “H” and “S” with a sword piercing through the center. The original small brown leather blade washer is in place.

   A really beautiful dagger here with lots of interest with the piece in itself but as promised from above in the description this original owner has been mildly researched. The research for the most part indicates that Major Alfred von Ung was the commander of the 2nd battalion, Schützen panzer grenadier regiment 128. Unfortunately he was killed in action on 27 August 1942. He was posthumously promoted to Oberstleutnant. There is a dossier that goes with this officer that explains more about his career and about the panzer grenadier regiment that he was affiliated with. There is also lots of work that still could be done on this man. As an example, it would be nice to have a picture of this officer. Either way though this is an opportunity to own a really terrific dagger in itself but also to acquire the ability to further research its brave owner, one of the victims of the second World War. As an example you could find out what awards Unger won and maybe acquire good examples of them and display the dagger with these awards. Lots of collectors have done this over the years and it makes for a very effective presentation. This is an outstanding dagger and I hope that the right person will elect to purchase it. It is reasonably priced considering its pedigree and the condition and rarity of the dagger type.

   Mint Minus. $2,895.00

4. AOD #33612C Army Officer Dagger - Rudolf Büchel

   If you collect Army Officer Daggers by type, you will know that the Rudolf Büchel trademark is extremely rare. This example is a later made piece and all mounts are done in plated nickel finish. The plating is absolutely perfect throughout all of the mounts and scabbard. The hilt fittings are the generic “A” variety. This variety crossguard can be seen my Army Book on page 78, as well as page 79. The pommel is a fine example, having a good crisp rim and very smooth top surface. The 12 standing oak leaves are nicely detailed and have good veins. The ferrule is a matching nickel plate showing overlapping oak leaves throughout its circumference. The crossguard eagle is completely crisp with full details to the bird’s eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika. These fittings are in mint condition throughout. The grip of this example is a very seldom seen “glass” type. Instead of the usual amber color, this glass grip is a very attractive yellow color. It is about the tone of an ear of corn. The grip is in perfect condition, except on the lower rib at the reverse there is a hairline and a little resultant discoloration. It does not show from the obverse and would easily cover if a portepee were put on the dagger. A very beautiful grip none-the-less. The scabbard has matching nickel plating, being completely mint. This scabbard has very crisp panels and the bands are the type that are slightly rounded. The scabbard is identical to the Büchel example I show on page 102. This scabbard has a thin throat that is retained by a center placed headless screw. The blade of this example is absolutely factory-new. It has its needle-like tip and 100% of the crossgraining is there on this mirror bright blade. The reverse ricasso is etched with the seldom-seen trademark. It is a single oval which has the firm’s name and location capital block lettered around the circumference, “RUDOLF BÜCHEL, SOLINGEN-MERSCHEID”. In the center there is a number of geometric figures put together, and in the center are the initials “RBS”. The original new-like small style brown leather washer is in place. A real beauty here and a great dagger for those that are interested in “types”. This is extremely rare.

   Mint. $1,495.00

5. AOD #33614C Army Officer Dagger - Tiger

   This Army Officer Dagger by Tiger is done in generic “A” hilt mounts with a standard generic scabbard. A dagger with the same hilt as this example can be seen on page 83 of my Army Book. These generic “A” mounts have a very fine silver plating and they are in choice condition, having desirable dark patination. The pommel cap has a crisp brim with smooth upper portion. The 12 standing oak leaves go around the perimeter of the pommel’s edges. They are very crisp with good veining. The ferrule matching nicely with its overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The generic “A” crossguard is also a beauty, having outstanding detail to the eagle’s brow, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika. The grip of this example is a “glass” type, having a beautiful amber color. It is in near perfect condition having only a couple of hair-liners at the lower right edge, and also one at the upper reverse edge. There is no material missing, however. This grip is quite beautiful and is rare to see. The scabbard is identical to the generic variety I show on page 120 of my Army Book. This scabbard is completely straight, having fine crisp panels throughout. The bands have good detail to the oakleafing. There is one tiny “lift” spot near the lower portion of the scabbard toward the right edge. Other than this, the silvering is mint throughout. The scabbard thin throat is retained by a single headless screw mounted in the center reverse. The blade of this example is nice and bright with 100% crossgraining and needle-like tip. This blade has a couple of extremely minor traces of age, but not enough to take it from the mint category. A beautiful blade here! The reverse ricasso is stamped with the tiger making his way down toward the blade tip. This cat has full detail to his eyes, mouth, ears, stripes, tail, and feet. Behind the cat, in large capital letters, is the firm’s name “Tiger” located above the name of the manufacturing city, “Solingen”. The large size mint conditioned brown leather washer is in place. A very fine desirable make dagger here, with amber “glass” grip.

   Mint Minus. $1,295.00

6. AOD #33613C Army Offer Dagger - Zeitler – Wien

   This later made Army Officer Dagger is extremely rare, having the marking of the Viennese producer Zeitler on the blade. The mounts of this example are all the generic “B” variety and, most likely, were purchased by Zeitler and assembled in their factory. Zeitler did make Austrian daggers and was indeed a manufacturer, not just a distributor. The fittings are the same as those I show in my Army Book on page 100. The pommel is the style that has a threaded stem inside. It features 14 standing oak leaves separated by acorns going around the edge of its circumference. The rim is completely crisp with a totally perfect upper pommel portion. The ferrule exactly matches, having the overlapping oak leaves and acorns throughout its circumference. The generic “B” crossguard could not be nicer. It features full details to the bird’s brow, eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised mobile swastika. These generic “B” fittings are as nice as you will find and they are all done in the later nickel-plated version. The matching nickel-plated scabbard is identical to the color picture that I show on page 155 of my Army Book. In fact, the crossguard and ferrule in the picture are also identical to this dagger. This scabbard is completely pristine mint. Its thin throat is retained by a flush mount headless screw in the reverse center. The blade of this dagger is a beauty being completely bright, having 100% of its crossgraining and having a needle-like tip. This beautiful blade is in full mint condition. The obverse ricasso is neatly etched in block letters, “ZEITLER – WIEN”. The positioning of the letters on the blade is past the swastika of the crossguard. The original brown leather blade washer is a large size and in new-like condition. An extremely rare dagger here and a great acquisition for the “type” collectors out there.

   Mint. $1,595.00 (#013012)

7. AOD #33587 Late Army Officer Dagger - AES (Arthur Evertz)

   This Evertz produced Army Officer Dagger has been done in the late gray finish. The finish is all there, however, and really looks nice positioned against an amber color “glass” grip. The fittings are the generic “A” variety and are identical to the Evertz piece that I show on page 85 of my Army Book. The pommel is crisp throughout the rim and has a fine upper top area. The 12 standing oak leaves are nice and crisp throughout the circumference. The ferrule exactly matches, having its overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The generic “A” crossguard could not be nicer, having full detail to the bird’s eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika. The gray fittings really highlight the bright and rarely seen amber colored “glass” grip. This glass is a beauty, having no flaws on its surfaces. The color is an extremely rich orange. These “glass” grips have a sheen to their surfaces that is different from the celluloid, and most collectors will recognize them immediately from across the room. Decorating this fine hilt is an original Army Officers aluminum bullion portepee. This portepee has the thicker style aluminum cord and is nicely set in place in the army tie. There are no frays or problems with this portepee. It remains in mint condition. The scabbard is the generic type, having a matching gray finish. It is the same as the example shown on page 85. This scabbard is straight throughout and has very crisp panels. There is virtually no age shown on this scabbard. The throat is a nickel variety that is retained by a headless flush mount single screw in the reverse center. The bands have excellent detail to their oak leaf and acorn depictions. The blade of this piece is outstanding. It is a high quality nickel-plated example, reflecting complete mirror-mint finish. The blade is as nice as you will see. The reverse ricasso has an etched square that contains the firm’s initials “AE” placed over the “S”, for the location city of Solingen. The original new-like small style brown leather washer is in place. A very interesting dagger here. Despite its gray late finish, it still has great looks to it. Especially featuring the extra cost blade and grip. Evertz marked pieces are very difficult to find.

   Mint. $1,295.00

8. AOD #33622 Monogrammed Army Officer Dagger - E. & F. Hörster

   This Hörster Army Officer Dagger is fairly early. The hilt mounts appear to have a brass base and the pommel is the style with 14 oak leaves, similar to the example I show on page 38 of my Army Book. The crossguard is the same as the example shown on page 43, upper. These mounts have excellent silvering and a good patination throughout. The pommel rims are still nice and crisp with no hits, and the top only shows normal carrying signs. As indicated previously, the pommel has 14 oak leaves that run around its circumference. The detail is excellent to these leaves, and there is also pebbling in between. The crossguard is the same as I show on page 43, but the eagle is in slightly better condition than the book piece. This bird still has very crisp features to its eye, beak, crisp breast checkering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised mobile swastika. The silvering is still 100% on this crossguard. The reverse has a professionally done monogram of its original owner. The letters appear to be “TCO”. The engraver who did this work was quite talented, as these letters are really fancy. I don’t know whether there’s enough here to research this dagger but, if not, just owning it and looking at the monogram should be pleasure enough. The grip is an outstanding pumpkin-orange color, being in totally perfect condition. The original-to-the-piece portepee is in place. This portepee is tied in the 1st Style, and it does have some fraying where the cord comes out of the knot. The other areas of the portepee, though, are still in pretty good shape. The stem and slide also have a little bit of wear, and the lower ball is still in fine condition. The scabbard of this example is really an interesting one. It has a thinner look to it, with very fine crisp pebbling. The carrying bands are also beautifully done, having much hand enhancement to be seen on the veins of the overlapping oak leaves. As a final interesting item, though, the throat is a thinner type and it cantilevers over on both sides further than I have ever seen. It really looks great! This throat is retained by a single placed dome shaped screw in the center reverse. A really great scabbard here! The blade is also a beauty still being nice and bright and, other than runner marks, is easily in near full mint condition. Most of the crossgraining is still in the surfaces. The reverse ricasso is etched with the double ovals that contain the firm’s name and location, “E. & F. Hörster, Solingen”. Inside is a large “H” letter, having the two letters “H” over “S” inside of the large “H”. There is a sword that pierces the center of this logo. The original brown leather blade washer is in place, being in excellent condition and looking slightly thinner than most we see. This dagger really has some interesting traits about it that should attract “type” collectors out there that like to study these small nuances. This dagger is very collectable!

   Near Mint. $1,395.00

9. AOD #33419C Late Army Officer Dagger - Unmarked WKC

   This Army Officer Dagger, despite the fact that it is unmarked, is a classic WKC example. Most likely a number of these daggers were ordered directly by the army through WKC and probably other producers, and as was the practice, there was no maker-mark put on them. This dagger is done in the all-gray late finish. It is in choice condition throughout and does not look to have really ever been worn. The fittings are identical the examples I show in my Army Book on page 66 and page 63, left. The pommel is a pristine example throughout, with good crisp rim and no sign of wear on the top surfaces. The 12 standing oak leaves and acorns are still crisp throughout. The ferrule, with its overlapping oak leaves and acorns, exactly matches the other gray finished mounts. The crossguard is a beauty featuring the “tomahawk” beak. This bird has outstanding detail to its head, eye, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised swastika. The original gray finish is easily 100%. The grip of this example is a white one, which is most likely plaster filled. I don’t like to look inside of these, as one never knows when the plaster could be sticking to the metal of the pommel, and during the unscrewing process becomes broken. Take it from me, though, this grip is totally in perfect condition throughout, having toned slightly to a pleasing ivory color. The scabbard is absolutely straight and crisp throughout the pebbled panels. The bands have fine overlapping oak leaves and are still nice and crisp. The throat is a thicker variety and it is retained by one flatter head screw on the right side. The throat has the typical oval-like opening, being textbook WKC. The blade of this example is as nice as you will find them. It is mirror bright with 100% crossgraining and retaining its needle-like tip. This blade is easily in full mint condition. The brown new-like leather washer is the large type used by this maker. A fine example here, if you are collecting army daggers by “types”. This example is a “got-to-have” to add to your assemblage.

   Mint. $750.00

10. AOD #33128 Early Army Officer Dagger - Robert Klaas

    This very early Army Officer Dagger is quite an interesting example. The Klaas firm made some pieces and often bought other pieces. This example appears to be initial production, as the scabbard is definitely a brass base and the hilt mounts appear to be also. These mounts are actually the generic “B” type, and you can see identical ones on a Voos piece pictured in my Army Book on page 107. The early pommel has the 14 standing oak leaf depiction, and it has the stem thread inside. Its heavy weight, though, suggests that it is a brass base. The silvering is outstanding across this mount, having a very black patinated finish. The rim shows a couple of minor carrying signs, as does the top surfaces of the pommel. But, overall, it is still in nice condition. The ferrule nicely matches the hilt fittings and is the same as depicted in the book piece. The crossguard is a very choice eagle, looking nearly identical to the one on page 107. This bird has outstanding detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised mobile swastika. The patination is also very dark, matching the pommel. The grip really looks great on these dark fittings. It is a dark pumpkin-orange color, still being in near-perfect condition. There are a couple of extremely minor hairliners on the right edge, but they hardly show. There are also some slightly lighter sections on the grip where it was once covered by a portepee. A fine hilt here! The scabbard of this example is also outstanding. It is the early type that has very close grain pebbling. There is a little bit of rippling toward the tip where there was some minor squeezing, but it is not bad. There are also a couple of edge “dings” on the left side, but again, they are not bad. The silvering is still 100% throughout this fine scabbard and it is black patinated, matching the hilt. The bands are extremely well done, having fine accent lines to the leafing. These bands do not have the accent marks on their ends, but there is still nice handwork covering the casting marks. The throat is also a very interesting part, as it not only cantilevers on both sides, but the edges of the throat are beveled downward towards the scabbard. As we know, the throats are usually squared off. This is a great looking touch here, and something we would only see on early pieces. Lots of workmanship on this scabbard! The throat is retained by a flush mount headless screw positioned in the center reverse. The blade is also an outstanding extra-quality example. This blade is completely mirror bright, being a high quality nickel-plated example. There are a couple of tiny nicks where there may have been some swordplay somewhere along the line, but they are extremely minor. The original needle-like tip is still there, and aside from these tiny nicks, this blade remains in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the kissing cranes, having the firm’s name and location beneath in capital letters, “ROBERT KLAAS/SOLINGEN”. The new-like small style brown leather washer is in place. A very fine dagger here, for those who are into early quality and superb workmanship.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $995.00

11. AOD #33549 Army Officer Dagger – Unmarked Alcoso

    Despite the fact that there is no maker-mark on the blade of this dagger, it is a textbook Alcoso example. The dagger has been recently cleaned, and the silvering all looks nice and bright. The hilt fittings are the same as I show in my Army Book on page 21 and 23, right. The pommel is the “flared” type that we see used by this firm. The rim of the pommel shows some mild usage, as do the top surfaces. The oak leaves are extremely well done, being the 12-leaf variety. The veining is hand enhanced and the two leaves that fall on the casting flaws have been hand worked. The ferrule nicely matches the rest of the dagger. The crossguard features the 3rd Style bird and, as is usually the case, there is some minor wear to the head, but the details to the eye and beak are still visible. The breast feathering is still pretty good and the wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika are excellent. The silvering throughout these fittings is perfect. They are beautifully enhanced by a deeply toned pumpkin-orange grip. This grip is just a tone darker on the reverse than it is on the obverse. A nice hilt here. The scabbard is a typical Alcoso, being the same as the book piece on page 22, upper. This scabbard has good pebbled panels showing some minor surface wear, and there are a couple of wearing hits that are just noticeable along the edges. The bands have good detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The throat is retained by two flatter head side screws having the small bore, typical of Alcoso. The blade of this example is still nice and bright throughout, having a needle-like tip. There are a couple of “scars” left in both sides of the blade where the runners left a moisture mark. It is not bad and, possibly, could be worked out a little better with some semi-chrome. Overall, though, this is a nice blade easily grading at excellent plus, plus. The leather washer is the large style and is firmly in place. A decent army dagger here that has a few flaws, but it is priced accordingly.

    Excellent. $695.00

12. AOD #33141C Late Army Officer Dagger with Hangers and Portepee - WKC

    This fine WKC Army Officer Dagger is in choice condition, probably only worn a couple of times, if at all. The hilt fittings have a nice silver plating throughout. They still have lots of the original frosting and the factory protective lacquer across their surfaces. These mounts are the same as I show in my Army Book on page 63 left, and page 66. The pommel still retains its crisp edge and shows little-to-no usage across the top areas that are still mostly frosted. The ferrule is the proper example, having good detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The WKC hatchet- beak eagle crossguard is as nice as you will see. It has full lacquer and silvering with superb crisp detail to its beak, eye, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika. The grip is a very pretty deep orange color, being in complete perfect condition. Wrapped about the hilt, in the earlier style, is a most beautiful original portepee. This portepee has substantial thicker-style cording, but it is of highest quality. The stem and slide are the type that are decorated with gold “V” weave, which really shows up great against the aluminum bullion background. The lower ball is of yarn-like bullion weave. This portepee is in completely perfect condition. The scabbard is a typical textbook WKC. It is in the later gray finish, but still has quite a bit of the original frosting along the edges. The panels are nice and crisp, and the detail to the overlapping oak leaves on the bands is exceptional. The thicker throat is retained by a side mount flatter head style screw. The throat has the typical oval opening, being textbook WKC. Attached to the scabbard rings is a most beautiful set of army hanging straps. These straps have all of the original silvering across the hardware. To see this amount of silvering on army straps is very rare. The upper closed clip features raised oak leaves and acorns, and the top bar is stamped “D.G.R.M.”. The oval oak leaves and slides below are decorated with overlapping oak leaves. The lower snaps are the deluxe variety, having oak leaf and acorn decoration with “push-up” snap devices. The reverse of both is marked “D.G.R.M.”. The brocade straps have beautiful bright texturing to the aluminum and they show no age or soiling. In fact, these straps are still stiff. The box clip is retained to the straps via black leather tabs. An outstanding set of army hangers here. The blade of this example is mirror bright, still retaining its fine tip. The blade has all of the crossgraining in its surfaces. There are a few extremely minor stains which can be seen in a couple of places, keeping this blade from a stone-mint category. They are very minor, however. The reverse ricasso is etched with the knighthead logo, and beneath is the initials of the firm and the location, “WKC, Solingen”.

    Mint Minus. $995.00

13. AOD #33265 Early Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Early Army Officer Dagger is composed of the 2nd Style hilt fittings and scabbard used by the Eickhorn firm. If you are the type of person who is only going to be buying one army dagger, and you are looking for the best, this example should fill the bill. This dagger is beautifully patinated throughout and is literally in perfect condition. I cannot find a flaw on this remarkable piece. The hilt fittings are the same as I show in my Army Book on page 25 and page 26. The pommel is absolutely perfect, having a beautiful coal-like luster to the silvering. The rim is perfect, as is the top surfaces of the pommel. The 12 standing oak leaves and alternating acorns also are beautifully placed with fine detail to the veining. The ferrule exactly matches the book piece with matching patina. The crossguard could not be any nicer. Although it has patinated, there is lots of frosting traces that still remain in the recesses. The beautiful bird is identical to the book piece on page 25. This bird has a high brow, nicely defined eye and beak, perfect breast feathering and wing feathering, detailed talons, wreath, and raised mobile swastika. Setting off this superb hilt is an outstanding deep orange grip. This grip is the just the slightest bit darker on the obverse. It is in totally perfect condition and has all the looks any collector would want to see. The scabbard exactly matches the patination and perfect silvering of the hilt. This 2nd Style scabbard retains its crisp pebbled panels. The carrying bands feature remarkable defined overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The upper portion of the scabbard has the silhouette of the lower portion of the crossguard and swastika. The throat is the thicker style and it is retained by one flatter head screw in the reverse center. This scabbard is stone mint. The blade of this example is just as you would imagine. It is completely mirror bright with needle-like tip and 100% crossgraining. This blade is in stone mint condition. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935 through 1941 Eickhorn squirrel. This squirrel holds a downward pointing sword, and above the animal is the word “Original”. Below is the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn, Solingen”. The original brown leather small style washer is in place. A fine army dagger that would be nearly impossible to upgrade.

    Mint. $1,395.00

14. AOD #33264 Early Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Carl Eickhorn Army Officer Dagger is quite beautiful having all 2nd Style fittings, and each mount, including the scabbard, has 100% perfect silvering with beautiful patination. The pommel has a very crisp rim with perfect surface at the top. The 12 standing oak leaves and alternating acorns are crisp throughout. The ferrule is the proper Eickhorn type, being identical to page 25. The 2nd Style crossguard is as good as they come. It is identical to page 25, having exquisite detail to the bird’s head features, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika. These fine patinated fittings are set off by a yellow candystick-like grip. Usually, the grips turn to a darker color. In the case of this dagger, the grip must have been protected from light over the years as it still has its original lemon-chiffon color. Other than a couple of tiny lifts in the edge of the grip where the pommel rests at the left edge, the grip is totally perfect. These “blemishes” are hardly noticeable and, of course, with a portepee they would completely cover. The scabbard is fantastic, having full silvering and crisp pebbled panels. The Eickhorn bands are as nice as they come with their overlapping oak leaf and acorn motif. The throat is a thicker type, being retained by a flatter head screw placed in the center reverse panel. The blade of this example is nice and bright and still has all of its crossgraining. There is just the slightest hint of age toward the bottom of the obverse tip. The reverse also has a smidgen of the same. Other than this, though, the blade is still in as nice a condition as you normally would see. Because of these slight flaws, though, this blade would not grade full mint. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935 through 1941 squirrel logo. This squirrel holds a downward pointing sword, and above the animal is the word “Original”, and below the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn, Solingen”. The original small style brown leather blade washer is in place. A very nice Eickhorn dagger here.

    Mint Minus. $1,195.00

15. AOD #33463 Army Officer Dagger - E. & F. Hörster

    This Hörster Army Officer Dagger was probably produced about the time of the start of the war. The mounts are not Hörster made, but rather are those of the E. Pack firm. They are the lightweight style and are identical to the mounts I show in my Army Book on page 55. What is interesting about this piece, though, is the fact that Hörster did the silvering of the mounts and, for once, the silvering is all there. It was doubtful that this dagger was worn or handled much when this amount of silvering is seen. The pommel has a good crisp rim with only minor wear to the top of the upper area. The 12 standing oak leaves are nicely detailed, having hand enhancing noticeable on the leaves that fall on the two casting flaws. The silvering is nearly 100% throughout this mount. The ferrule exactly matches the frosted silver look. The crossguard is identical to the Pack mount shown on page 55. It features good detail to the bird’s eye and beak, as well as the close checkering of the breast. The wing feathers, wreath, and mobile swastika are also nicely detailed. This mount has nearly all of the silvering intact. These mounts are set off with a deep orange colored grip. This grip is as dark as you will normally see them, being just a slightly lighter tone on the reverse. The grip is in totally perfect condition. The scabbard silvering exactly matches that of the hilt. This scabbard is straight and has excellent pebbled surfaces. The bands are very well detailed and the veining to the oak leaves has been hand enhanced. The throat slightly cantilevers over on both sides, and it is retained by a flush mount headless screw in the reverse center. The blade is as nice as you will see. It has outstanding mirror surface with 100% of the crossgraining. This blade is still in full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the double ovals of this firm. The ovals contain the firm’s name and location, “E. & F. Hörster, Solingen”. Inside is the large “H” letter with a smaller “H” and “S” in the center, being pierced by a downward pointing sword. The original small leather washer is in place. A nice army dagger here, in better condition than we normally see pieces form Hörster of this vintage.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $895.00

16. AOD #33125 Early Army Officer Dagger - F. W. Höller

    This early Höller Army Officer Dagger is a tough item to find. It has the same mounts as I show in my Army Book on page 35. These mounts are of earliest quality. This dagger does not look to have been cleaned since the war. The pommel is also a very early style, probably of brass construction. It features 12 standing oak leaves, having a find hand-done enhancing throughout. There is also some nice pebbling put between the leaves. The rim shows only mild usage, and the upper areas of the pommel top are in choice condition. This pommel is black patinated. The ferrule is the same as the book example with matching finish. The crossguard is a bird we do not see very often. It is the same as the example I show on page 35. This bird has excellent detail to the eagle’s head, beak, close breast feather checkering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised swastika. The silvering is all there under the patination. The dagger is equipped with a very pleasing dark orange grip. This grip is extremely toned, being almost red on the obverse and a slightly lighter tone on the reverse. This grip is still in fine condition with no cracks or chips. Decorating the hilt is the original-to-the-piece portepee. The portepee is still in its tie, being in the Early Style. This portepee shows only the most modest of wear just above the slide area but, otherwise, is in perfect condition. The stem and slide are the type where both parts are attached to the other. The lower ball is a yarn-like bullion with a textured bullion insert. A nice untouched hilt here. The scabbard is a matching patinated type. This scabbard is straight throughout and has very close Early Style pebbling. The pebbling shows some usage, but is still all there. The silvering is patinated the same as the hilt and is 100%. The bands show good detail to the oak leafing. The throat is a thinner style, having two domehead-style side screws. The blade of this example is a fine Early type, being of slightly larger proportion than we see on most blades. It is high quality construction and has good bright finish with needle tip. The blade has all of the crossgraining and shows almost no age. This blade remains in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the double ovals. The ovals contain the firm’s name and location, “F. W. Höller, Solingen”. Inside is the thermometer having two many digits to count. This early trademark has much more digits in the thermometer than is seen on later examples. The brown leather blade buffer is in place. A nice Early Höller dagger here, not seen very often.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $995.00

17. AOD #33029 Army Officer Dagger with Hangers - WMW Waffen

    This Army Officer Dagger has not been cleaned since the war and reflects a dark patination throughout. The mounts appear to be the style as used by the E. Pack Company and are the same as I show in my Army Book on page 55. The pommel is in nice condition having no hits to the rim, and the upper areas show little wear. The standing oak leaves are crisp throughout, being 12 separated by acorns. The ferrule matching the other parts and is the same as page 55. The crossguard has a very fine Pack eagle. This eagle has outstanding detail to his eye, beak, close checkered breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and mobile swastika. All of the silvering is intact on this crossguard. The grip is a nice orange color, being in perfect condition. The color of this grip is a nice medium-orange. The scabbard also appears to be a Pack type. It is identical to the scabbard I show on page 54 of my Army Book. This scabbard is straight throughout and has matching silvered patination. The silvering is all there. The panels are still fairly crisp, as too the pebbling. The bands are outstanding, having fine hand enhancing to each and every oak leaf. The throat is retained by two domehead side screws in the Pack manner. These screws are untouched. Attached to the scabbard rings is an interesting set of army hangers. These hangers have been shortened by the original wearer, and only measure a little over 6 inches in length. This type of shortening appears to me as though they were made for purposes of wearing with the army greatcoat. Often, hangers were attached below the flap of the coat and, therefore, did not require a long length. Despite there shortness, the hangers are still in nice condition, having deluxe fittings. The closed clip at the top is decorated with raised acorns and oak leaves, and on the upper bar is stamped “D.R.G.M.”. The oval buckles and slides are equipped with overlapping oak leaves. The snaps are the deluxe type, having oak leaf and acorn decoration on the front surfaces with “push-up” style catches. The reverse of each snap is marked “D.R.G.M.”. The brocade is still in excellent condition, still being bright and showing little age. The reverse of the straps has the usual high pile field-green velvet. An interesting set of hangers here, being original-to-the-piece. The blade of this army dagger is as nice as they come. It is completely mirror bright with needle-like tip and full 100% crossgraining. This blade is easily in full mint condition. It is stamped on the reverse center ricasso segment horizontally, “WMW/Waffen”. The original larger size brown leather pebbled washer is in place. A very nice Early Dagger here.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $995.00

18. AOD #33015 Early Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This early Carl Eickhorn Dagger has the 1st Style crossguard and scabbard with the 2nd Style pommel. The dagger is heavily patinated and does not look to have been cleaned since the war. The pommel, despite the 2nd type styling, appears to be of ultra-early workmanship because each and every oak leaf has had hand enhancing to the veins. They are beautifully done, being the 12 standing type. The rim shows just the slightest of usage, but is still in good condition. The same is true of the pommel top. The ferrule is the early type, being the same as I show in my Army Book on page 24. The crossguard is also an early example. This guard is identical to the book piece, having good detail to the bird’s eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised mobile swastika. An early crossguard like this is always exciting to see. The grip is also a very fine example. This grip is in perfect condition and has a very pleasing dark yellow-orange color. It is just slightly lighter on the reverse. A very fine hilt here! The scabbard is the 1st Style. It is a beauty, not being brass, but being of steel. It has absolute perfect pebbling and is straight as an arrow. It is equipped with the more curved-style bands, exactly as is shown on page 24. Each of the bands has fine enhancing to the oak leaf veining. The scabbard throat is retained by a centered placed flatter screw on the reverse. There are also frosting signs around the throat area and around the bands where they protected this finish. A beautiful perfect scabbard here. The blade is a fantastic conditioned initial production example. It is the wider style and has the tapered style tang. You can see the difference between the early tapered style tang vs. the later example shown on page 16 of my Army Book. This beautiful blade retains its mirror finish and needle-like tip. It has 100% of the original crossgraining. The reverse ricasso is etched with the 1933 through 1935 Eickhorn trademark. This trademark consists of double ovals that trap the firm’s name and location, “Carl Eickhorn, Solingen”. Inside is a seated squirrel that holds a nut in his paws and has a serrated tail. The etched darkening in the logo is the same as it must have been when brand new. This beautiful blade is protected by a small-style brown leather buffer. This is a great opportunity to acquire an initial production Carl Eickhorn dagger. These early pieces are very tough to come by. This is a great example to put away and save as an investment.

    Uncleaned Mint. $1,795.00

19. AOD #30985C Early Army Officer Dagger with Portepee

    This Army Officer Dagger was probably made about a year or so after initial production. It is in choice condition throughout and reflects some early style parts and some later types. The crossguard is the early Eickhorn type and is identical to the example shown on page 24. The ferrule is also the early type per the same page. The pommel is the second style which was later adopted and used for the rest of the period. This pommel shows no carrying time and has a fine patination being extremely crisp. The crossguard is as nice or even better than the book piece. This crossguard has lots of frosting which remains throughout the upper areas as well as on the reverse. The reverse center area has some scratching that appears to be a tic tac toe sign or possibly a sloppy letter “H”. I do not know what it really represents. The grip is also a beauty. This grip is an extremely dark orange on the obverse being just the slightest bit lighter on the reverse. It has much eye appeal and is in perfect condition. Enhancing the hilt of this example is what appears to be the original 42 cm portepee. This portepee is in complete pristine condition matching the rest of this dagger hilt. The scabbard is a second style hilt being identical to the example shown on page 26 of my Army book, right. This scabbard is completely crisp throughout the pebbled panels and the oak leaves on the carrying bands have fine relief. The thicker style throat is retained by one center placed screw having a slightly flat head. This scabbard has 100% silvering and has much original frosting remaining throughout the upper portion where the throat is protected and also the edges. It is rare to see a scabbard in this fine condition! The blade is no disappointment. This blade is as nice as you will see. It is mirror bright having its original needlelike tip and also it has full 100% crossgraining. This blade is full mint. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The mint blade is protected by an in place new-like brown leather washer. If you are looking for an extremely nice Eickhorn army dagger you can not go wrong with this example.

    Mint. $1,395.00

20. AOD #31919 Army Officer Dagger with Deep Orange Grip – Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger has extremely nice second style fittings and scabbard, exactly like the exapmle on page 25 of my Army book. The pommel is the standard type having twelve leaf design and good rim showing a little usage. The crossguard is as nice as the eagle in the book. This bird has full details throughout its eye, beak, breast feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. These fittings have 100% of the silvering. The ferrule is also the same as the book piece. These fittings have a fine black patination appearing as though they have not been cleaned since the war. But what really sets this piece off is the deep, deep orange grip. This grip is so orange it almost looks brown. It is about the deepest toned example I have seen to date. The reverse is just slightly lighter but this also is a very dark orange color. This dagger must have been exposed to light for most of the time since the war in order to bring the color out like this. I know there are collectors out there that like these really deep tones so now is your chance! In addition to the beautiful colors the grip is in perfect condition. The second style scabbard has excellent plating and is straight throughout. There are a couple of wearing signs just along both edges but it is very nominal. The obverse and reverse are in perfect condition. The scabbard bands have good detail to the oak leaves. The throat is the thicker variety and it is retained by a center placed reverse screw. The blade is still nice and bright having a fine needlelike tip. Almost all of the crossgraining is visible throughout and other than just the slightest signs of some age this blade is really in near full mint condition. It is a fine example. The reverse ricasso is marked with the 1935-41 squirrel etching. The original brown leather washer is in place. A very nice army dagger with much appeal to those out there that like dark grips.

    Near Mint. $1,350.00

21. AOD #30999 Early Army Officer Dagger with Distributor Mark - Alcoso

    This Army Officer Dagger is a great example for the “type” collectors out there. It is not only equipped with the extremely rare second style Alcoso crossguard but it also has a distributor on the blade. This army dagger is identical to the example that I show on page 126 in my Army book having the same maker and same distributor. First off the mounts are extremely early brass types having rich silver-plated surfaces. They are nicely patinated and very attractive. The pommel is the style that flares out as it goes upward. It has the fourteen leaf depiction running around the outside and each and every one of these leaves has hand enhancing to the veins. The top of the crossguard shows only modes carrying time and also has great black patination. The crossguard is identical to page 21 upper. This eagle has a dramatic upward sweep to the bottoms of this wings making this bird a unique design and making it very attractive to type collectors. We very seldom see this eagle design used as Alcoso did not make many pieces with it. The firm also used this same eagle for the crossguards of their popular three quarter size army miniature letter openers. This crossguard has excellent silvering over the brass base. The head details are still good as are the open wings, the talons, the wreath and the raised mobile swastika. The center of the bird’s chest has a little rubbing to the weave but that is understandable. The ferrule is also the same as the book example. This dagger has a beautiful lighter color tangerine grip. The grip is evenly toned throughout and is most attractive. This grip is in a full mint state. An outstanding hilt here! This scabbard is also nicely patinated and exactly matches the silver tones of the hilt. This scabbard is a first style early Eickhorn type. Perhaps Eickhorn sold some of these to Alcoso early on. This scabbard is identical to the example shown on page 24. It is straight throughout and has fine crispness to its pebbled panels. The bands are the convex type having really great oak leaves with hand done veining being identical to the way the book shows except the bands of this piece are in better condition than the book piece. The throat is slightly thicker and is retained by a flathead screw in the center reverse. This scabbard is in near full mint condition. The blade is probably one of those “tapered tang” types that were used early on as this dagger is really heavy. This blade is nice and bright throughout and still retains its needlelike tip with full crossgraining. There are a couple of very minor smudge marks in the obverse and the reverse but the blade still easily grades in near full mint condition. There is no maker mark on the blade but it is obvious that this piece was made by Alcoso. The piece on page 126 of my Army Book is identical to this example. Etched onto the reverse center blade segment is the distributor, “Albert Kuhl, Münster I/W.- ESSEN”. This particular supplier had a retail shop in Essen as well as one in Münster. They no doubt made a deal with Alcoso to produce daggers for them so that they could sell them with the newly introduced German officer’s uniform. The original large sized leather blade buffer is in place. A great dagger here and an especially nice piece for the type collectors out there.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $1,495.00

22. AOD #30748 Army Officer Dagger - Puma

    This Army Officer Dagger is equipped with good silvered fittings which do not look to have been cleaned in many years. They have turned a black patination tone. The crossguard is the generic “B” style. This guard shows some minor wear to the bird’s head and breast feathering but the wing feathering, wreath and swastika are still in excellent shape. The matching pommel has good oak leaves which run throughout the edges and the pommel shows some mild carrying time. The ferrule appears to be the same as the Puma piece shown on page 92 of my Army book, left. The grip is a very appealing tangerine color orange having some graining in the surfaces giving it a really nice look. This grip is in perfect condition. The scabbard of this example is nice and straight and has matching patination. The panels have good pebbling and the bands are in excellent condition showing overlapping oak leaves and acorns. This scabbard appears to be identical to the example on the Puma shown on page 92, right. The screws are flush mount side screws having no heads. This scabbard probably was made by Pack as we know that Puma did not really make anything. It is also interesting to note that there is a silhouette of the wreath on the lighter part of the scabbard patination. The blade of this example is outstanding. It is completely mirror bright and has all of its crossgraining with a needle tip. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the small Puma cat head. This trademark does not have the diamond around it and is identical to the example shown on page 93, right. Beneath the cat is the firm’s name and location, “Puma Solingen”. The original new-like large leather blade buffer is in place. I took a look at the tang on this piece and it is the early tapered tang style which goes with the early trademark. I show the difference between these early tapered tangs and the later tangs with shoulders on page 16 of my Army book. If you have never looked at this you should as it is an important thing in determining vintage of a dagger. We do not see too many Pumas so this one is a good one for the type collectors out there. I brought this dagger from the family of a veteran along with a model 89 infantry sword. A pretty neat example here with a grip you will admire as well as a really fine blade.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $895.00

23. AOD #30718 Uncleaned Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This uncleaned Carl Eickhorn Army Officer Dagger has very dark patination completely over all of its surfaces and it does not appear to me as though these silvered fittings have been cleaned since the war. The mounts are the second type produced by this firm. The hilt fittings are the same as I show on page 25, 26 and 27 of my Army book. These fittings although they are deeply patinated also show some mild amounts of frosting evident here and there. The pommel shows some mild usage but there are no serious hits to the rim and the twelve leaves spaced around the pommel are all nice and crisp. The crossguard eagle is in perfect condition having a nice crisp presentation to the bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. The reverse of the crossguard has the original owner’s name lightly scratched into the center surface, “Stark”. The grip is a real beauty having turned a deep pumpkin orange color. This grip is in perfect condition and has great eye appeal. This scabbard is also a textbook second pattern type and it too has never been cleaned and has lots of frosting in the protected areas around the throat and also the edges and the tip. The bands are the typical Eickhorn type having good detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The throat is the thicker style and it is retained by one center placed flatter head screw. This fine scabbard is in mint condition. The blade is also quite nice. It is still bright throughout and is in a near mint state. It appears as though a very light cleaning was done with a piece of steel wool or something to this effect as the blade is not in full mint but it is not bad either. This blade still grades in a very near mint state. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn squirrel trademark. The original small brown style leather washer is in place. A nice army dagger here if you’re looking for the untouched type with nice silver fittings.

    Near Mint. $1,195.00

24. AOD #31588C Army Officer Dagger with High Lift Crossguard – Alcoso

    This High Lift crossguard Army Dagger is a classic Alcoso. It is identical to the example that I show in my army book on page 22. The pommel is the Alcoso flared out type and for once it really has excellent silvering. In fact, the silvering appears to be 100% throughout and has a nice patination. The standing oak leaves are excellent examples each with some hand enhancing. The crossguard features the wings which are stepped out considerably from those that we see on ordinary guards. The eagle is identical to the book piece. It has outstanding definition to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The silvering nicely matches that of the pommel. The ferrule is also a fine example matching the book piece. This later made dagger is equipped with an all white grip. The grip appears to be the type that has a wood base. It is in excellent condition throughout having nice age tones to it and there are a couple of surface cracks in the center ribs on the reverse and a small hairliner on the obverse center area. A nice grip though and I would not consider these hairliners flaws as they add to the daggers overall classic appearance. The scabbard is a generic variety having the same patination. This scabbard is in perfect condition having excellent silvering throughout and being straight as an arrow. The bands are nicely detailed. The thinner throat is retained by a headless center placed flush mount screw. This scabbard is the same as page 120. The blade of this example is nice and bright and appears to have all of its original crossgraining. This blade is a mint example retaining its needlelike tip. The ricasso is the sideways variety having the scales with the firm’s initials, “ACS” interspersed. To the right of the scales is the firm’s name written in script, “Alcoso” over the firm’s location, “Solingen”. This blade is protected by a large size in place leather washer. A nice High Lift piece.

    Near Mint. $1,195.00

25. AOD #31043 Army Officer Dagger - WMW

    This Army Officer Dagger is equipped with generic “A” fittings, and it is identical to the example shown on page 81. The pommel has a gray finished late war silvering, but it is still in good condition having fine detail to the standing oak leaves. The crossguard appears to be a standard silver finish type but the plating is peeling on the reverse and the upper areas, but the obverse still looks pretty good. The ferrule appears to be also identical to the one shown on page 81. The grip of this example is a fine off-white color and it really has an ivory look to it. It is, however, a plaster filled type, but really has good eye appeal. The scabbard is one of the generic varieties. This scabbard has deeply toned silvering and appears to be in perfect mint condition beneath the patination. The bands have outstanding detail and the thinner throat is retained by a single flathead screw. This scabbard is the same as the one I show on page 120. It is interesting to note that there is a silhouette of the crossguard left on the upper scabbard face. This is caused by the crossguard being in place, preventing the air from oxidizing as quickly under the crossguard as around it. The blade of this example is bright throughout. It has a couple of really minor smudges, more on the obverse than on the reverse, but the blade still rates in near full mint condition, still having its crossgraining. This blade is stamped on the reverse horizontally, “WMW/Waffen”. It is the same as I show on the piece on page 82. The small style new-like brown leather washer is in place. A maker mark not seen very often. It is a shame that there is some peeling to the crossguard, but it is priced accordingly.

    Excellent. $650.00

26. AOD #30910 Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger by Carl Eickhorn is an extremely nice piece having very choice silvered fittings. These fittings are the second type produced by Carl Eickhorn and are the same as the piece I show on page 25 of my Army book. These fittings have turned completely black and they do not look to have been cleaned in many years. The pommel is a beauty showing little to no wear and still having a crisp rim about its circumference. This pommel displays the twelve oak leaves all having excellent detail running around the pommel’s edge. The crossguard is the same as the example shown on page 26. This bird shows virtually no wear at all. The details to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika are perfect. There is also some frosting there and there on this beautiful crossguard. The ferrule is the same as the book piece and also nicely matches the other fittings. The grip on this example is a rarely seen nice lemon yellow color. It has the look of an old-fashioned candy stick. This color is not seen very often and is probably the original color these grips were when these daggers were produced. As we all know when light is subjected to the celluloid plastic it turns the color darker. This grip is in perfect condition except for a tiny hairliner about a 32nd of an inch long just at the reverse bottom. A very fine hilt here! The scabbard is also in first rate condition. It is straight throughout having good crisp pebbled panels and perfect silvering. There is also frosting to be seen in the protected areas around the throat and the scabbard bands. These bands have outstanding detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The throat is the thicker style traditional with this producer and it is retained with a single flatter head center mounted screw in the reverse. A great scabbard here. The blade of this piece is as nice as you will see. It is mirror bright and has all of its crossgraining with needlelike tip. This blade is a quality example throughout. The reverse ricasso is dark etched with the squirrel logo of 1935 through 1941. The leather blade buffer is the small type and is in place. If you are looking for a fine Eickhorn dagger this example should please you.

    Mint Minus. $1,195.00

27.  AOD #30461 Personalized Army Officer Dagger

    This personalized Army Officer Dagger, despite the fact that it has an unmarked blade, is of high quality fittings throughout. The hilt fittings are the beautiful generic “A” variety and are identical to the examples that I show in my Army Book on page 78 and 79 upper. These fittings have formed a very nice patination and do not look to have been cleaned in a number of years. The pommel is a fine example showing only minor usage around the rim. The upper plain area is still nice and smooth. The oak leaves and acorns around the pommel circumference are crisp and have a good dark background. The crossguard has a fine crisp eagle having outstanding detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised mobile swastika. The ferrule is the same as the piece on page 78. The grip is a fine popsicle orange color maybe being just a slightly darker orange tone on the reverse. This beautiful grip is in perfect condition throughout. It has some signs of graining in the celluloid which is also nice to see. The reverse of this crossguard is professionally engraved with a very jazzy signature. The name is “Schumann”. However the name is done in signature form on a slight racy angle going upward and then on the last letter there is a downward slung line which ends in a fine curl. This is a great signature and shows the good solid ego of the officer behind it. Unfortunately Schumann is a fairly common name and it would be difficult to research this man. The scabbard is a choice matching silvered example which also is beginning to have a nice patination. This scabbard remains crisp throughout, has 100% silvering and is also straight. The bands are nicely formed having lots of handwork to the veins and the throat is retained by a single flush mount headless screw in the reverse center. A nice scabbard here. The blade of this example is also a real beauty. This blade is a quality made example having precise center segment and good formed double edges. Its tip remains needlelike and all of the crossgraining is visible in the surfaces. This blade is in full mint condition and has been protected by the in place small style brown leather washer. A really nice personalized piece here which would go great in any collection.

    Near Mint. $1,395.00

28.  AOD #30713 Army Officer Dagger by Siegfried Waffen - E. Pack

    This Army Officer Dagger is a textbook Pack and it appears to be identical to the example I show in my Army book on page 54 and 55. This dagger has the lighter weight hilt fittings which Pack frequently produced. The silvering usually doesn’t stick too well on these and this is somewhat the case here with these fittings. The pommel is the same as the book piece having a little bit of the silver worn out on the very top peak and also a little bit along the ridge. The oak leaves are still nice and crisp running around the circumference. The crossguard is also identical to page 55. This silvering is also thinning on the edges and the highpoints but overall it is about 98%. The bird has good detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika. The ferrule is the same as in the book. This dagger is equipped with a grip which has several tones of yellow and orange the obverse being the darker orange tone. It is pretty obvious where there once was a portepee on this grip as that area is also slightly lighter at the top and bottom. This grip is in perfect condition. The scabbard is also identical to the book example being nice and straight and having all of its silvered finish. This scabbard has good detail to the bands being the same as the book and the throat is retained by two dome head screws which are positioned fairly low –a typical Pack trait here. This scabbard is in near full mint condition. The blade is also a fine example. It has mirror bright surfaces and has all of the crossgraining. This mint blade also has a needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is etched with the large Siegfried Waffen trademark, the same as is shown on page 54. Collectors always seem to like this trademark. The washer is in place being the smaller leather type.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $795.00

29. AOD #33555 "High Lift" Army Officer Dagger - Alcoso

    This Army Officer Dagger has the late “High Lift” design many collectors enjoy adding to their collection. For those of you that may not be familiar with this variation you can see a good example on page 22 of my Army Book. The hilt fittings on this piece are beginning to flake just a little bit but the flaking should be contained if the piece is kept nice and dry and looked after properly. This is a classic “high-lift” example. The pommel has the flared out style we see on Alcosos. It portrays fourteen well enhanced leaves which go around its perimeter. On the very top there are no hits but a little bit of the silvering has flaked from the center area and a little along the edges. Where the silver is in place though it is nice and patinated. The crossguard has the good flare to the top of the wings giving it a look as though this bird is ready to fly off of his perch. He has good detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. There is a nice patination throughout this design. The reverse of the crossguard has a little bit of lifting in the center are but the rest of the areas are still in good condition. The grip is a later plaster filled type and it has toned to a very beautiful ivory color. If there were graining in this grip you would swear it was a genuine ivory one. The grip is in perfect condition though and really sets this hilt off. The scabbard is a typical fin Alcoso type having good pebble design in the panels. The carrying bands are also excellent and they are the same as I show in the illustration on page 22. The throat is retained by a single center placed headless flush mount screw on the reverse. This scabbard has good plating throughout and has a nice patination. The blade of this example is mostly bright throughout. It does have a little bit of age noticeable as smudge in a couple of areas but it is not bad. The blade retains its original needlelike tip. This blade is etched with the last trademark used by this firm. It has the sideways positioned scales and the firm’s new initials, “AWS” interspersed. Next to the scales is the firm’s name in script over the city, “Alcoso Solingen”. This blade grades in excellent plus, plus condition. It is protected by a large style in place leather washer. A pretty nice example here if you are looking for the “High Lift” variation.

    Excellent. $795.00

30. AOD #33554 Late Period Army Officer Dagger - Robert Klass

    This later made Army Officer Dagger has the nickel-plated style generic “B” hilt fittings. These mounts are in excellent condition throughout and are the same as I show on page 100 of my Army book. The pommel cap is the style that has the threaded center stud and it features fourteen oak leaves around its perimeter. The detail is not as good as the earlier silvered pieces but it still looks OK. The upper pommel top shows a little bit of usage but no bad dings. The crossguard has the same detail as is shown on page 100. The bird looks outstanding having good breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and swastika. The ferrule is the same as page 100. The grip is a good example being a fine tangerine color. This grip remains in perfect condition. The scabbard is a silvered version. Occasionally we see silvered scabbards mixed with later nickeled hilt parts and this is primarily because existing stores were being used up by blade companies hoping to complete pieces. This scabbard is an outstanding example having excellent silvered surfaces and good detail to the bands. There is no asterisk on this as I doubt that the Klaas firm really finished the scabbard. Chances are it was purchased from a generic firm or another blade firm down the street. The thinner throat is retained by two flathead side screws. The blade of this example is a fine nickel-plated type which Robert Klaas is famous for. This blade is nice and bright throughout and other than just the tiniest of plating lifts on the center segment of the obverse it is in mint condition. It has a good needle sharp tip. The reverse is stamped with the kissing cranes trademark over the firm’s name and location, “Robert Klaas Solingen”. The thin style brown leather washer is in place. A nice later dagger here.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $895.00

31. AOD #33553 Early Personalized Army Officer Dagger - Unmarked F.W. Höller

    This This Army Officer dagger, despite the fact that the blade is unmarked, is definitely of F.W. Höller pedigree. This dagger is identical to the example I show in my Army book on Pages 33 and 34. The pierce does not look to have been cleaned since the war. The pommel is an outstanding example, having the 12-leaf configuration running about the perimeter of the fitting. These leaves all have fine definition. The top of the pommel is nice and smooth, showing almost no carrying time. The ferrule nicely matches and is the same as the book piece. The Höller cross guard is a beauty, being identical to Page 33. This bird has outstanding detail to his beak, eye, breast feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. The wingspread is impressive on these Höller examples. This eagle shows no wear and is very, very impressive. The reverse of this cross guard has the owner’s original initial “H” engraved onto the middle area. The engraving was done by one of those machines that makes little dots. These engravings are never very impressive, but, nonetheless, it is an original example. The grip of this piece is in perfect condition, being a light orange color on the obverse fading to yellow on the reverse. Obviously, the original color was yellow and as we know, light tended to affect the color tones of this early celluloid material. The scabbard is a typical Höller also, having good straight surfaces and fine pebble pattern in the panels. The bands look to be the same as Page 34 or 35, having good detail to the overlapping oak leaves. These leaves are also hand-enhanced with veins in the center. The thinner throat is retained on this early scabbard with two flatter head side screws. This scabbard has full silvering throughout. The blade of this example is mirror mint and is as nice as you will see. It has all of its cross graining and retains the needlelike tip. It is protected by an in-place leather washer. Apparently, Höller sold this piece to perhaps a retail store who did not want the logo of the Höller firm on the blade. A very fine original early example.

    Near Mint. $895.00

32. AOD #33556 Early Army Officer Dagger - Alcoso

    This early example has the same fittings that I show in my army book on page 21, lower. The pommel and crossguard are high quality examples having good silvered finish. There is a little bit of freckling on the reverse of the crossguard but the pommel is still in choice perfect condition. This pommel is the flared out type that we normally see produced by Alcoso. It has outstanding oak leaves amounting to fourteen in total and each and every one has hand done accent grooving. The crossguard eagle is the third type used but it is interesting to see that the eye and beak area still have the details, something which lacks on many Alcoso crossguards. The bird also has good detail to the breast checkering as well as the wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. The ferrule is the early type being the same as page 21, lower. The grip is really an attractive example. The reverse of the grip is so dark that it is almost a red color. The obverse is a pumpkin color. Many collector’s love to see these drastic color tones which happen in this early celluloid. This is a great example and it is in perfect condition throughout with no cracks or chips. A fairly nice hilt here. The scabbard is one of the early types having very fine pebbling. The later types do not have this extremely fine pebbled surface. The pebbling is the same as is shown in the top photograph on page 20. The scabbard is straight as an arrow and it has good silver plating except there is some lifting on the edges as well as the bottom chape area but the silvering is intact. The bands are also nicely hand enhanced showing outstanding oak leafing. The throat of this example is retained by two side screws being the style with small bore. The blade is a really fine example. It is an early quality blade which has the tapered tang. If you don’t know what I mean by this you can see these early tangs compared with the later tangs on page 16 of my Army Book. This early tang has rainbowed from the extensive grinding that was done to shape it to fit the grip. This is the reason that producers went to the traditional shoulder style tang as it took only a small amount of grinding. The blade of this example is nice and bright throughout having a quality polished finish. The graining is still there and this blade retains its needlelike tip and is still in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the scales trademark having the letters, “ACS” interspersed. Above the scales in an arch shape is the block lettered name of the firm, “Alcoso”. Beneath is the location town of “Solingen”. The large style leather washer is in place protecting this piece. It is difficult to find these early pieces.

    Excellent Plus. $895.00

33. AOD #33540 Army Officer Dagger

    This Army Officer Dagger is equipped with generic “A” fittings. These hilt fittings are identical to the examples I show on Page 78 of my Army book. The pommel and cross guard have outstanding silvering and they are beginning to develop a nice patination. The pommel top is perfect, as are the edges of the rim. The oak leaves running about the perimeter are finely detailed, and have a nice black background giving good accent. The cross guard is in outstanding condition, having perfect detail to the noble eagle’s head, checkered breast, wing feathering, wreath and raised out swastika. This cross guard is a beauty. The ferrule is identical to the one shown on Page 78, and this fitting also matches perfectly. The grip is a beautiful candy stick-looking type, having a darker egg yolk color but also having some brown subtle swirls in the tones. The grip is slightly darker on the reverse than the obverse, and, I must say, it is quite beautiful throughout. Other than two very tiny hairline cracks at the obverse left and reverse right, this grip is in pristine condition. A fine hilt here. The scabbard is the typical generic type, being identical to Page 120. This scabbard is straight throughout and has good silvering with only the most modest of age visible anywhere. The pebbling is still crisp. The bands feature good looking oak leaves and the throat is a thinner type, having a center-placed flush mount headless screw retaining it. The blade is nice and bright, having a needlelike tip. This blade is a high-quality example, having a bright nickel finish. The plating is perfect, and the blade easily rates in mint condition. It is protected by an in-place leather washer. It is the type of washer that is too big for the blade shoulders. (We see these, for some reason, used all the time). The age and pressure against the leather apparently keeps it in place against the recessed cross guard. I am sure Army type collectors have also seen these type of original leather washers. A fine example here, and a good one for someone looking for a nice display dagger.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $795.00

34. AOD #33541 Army Officer Dagger - Alcoso

    This Army Officer Dagger, despite the fact that it has an unmarked blade, is definitely an Alcoso product. It is a classic Alcoso throughout, to include the hilt fittings and the scabbard. The cross guard is the same as I show in my Army book on Page 21, lower. The pommel is the flare-out style typically seen with this producer. This pommel portrays the standing oak leaves throughout its perimeter, each one having fine, hand-done vein enhancement. The silvering is beginning to wear along the edges of the pommel and around the rim. The top of the pommel, though, still has all the silvering intact. The cross guard also shows some minor surface wear to the silvering, but it is just on the sharp edges. Overall, the silvering is still about 95%. This bird shows good detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika. The ferrule is the same as the book piece on Page 21. This grip is a pumpkin color orange on the reverse. On the obverse it is a slightly lighter tone orange. The areas at the top of the grip also are light, which is usually an indication of a once present portepee. This grip is very nice looking and is in totally perfect condition. The scabbard of this example matches perfectly and is the same as the one I show on Page 23. The Alcoso scabbard is readily identified, as it is slightly thinner than most other producers and it usually has the two flatter head, small bore side screws. This one has all of this. The details to the pebble panels and to the oak leaves of the bands are excellent. This scabbard shows just the slightest of age in the silvering but, all in all, it is still in excellent condition, being nice and straight throughout. The throat is a thinner type and as stated above, is retained by the two side screws. The blade of this example is a choice, unmarked type. It is mirror bright and has 100% of the original cross graining with a needlelike tip. This blade is in mint condition and has been protected by the large size leather washer. A good, solid dagger here showing some mild age, but also having some extra nice features.

    Excellent Plus. $795.00

35. AOD #33542 Early Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This is a very fine Army Officer Dagger produced probably about 1936 or 1937. It has all first style mounts and scabbard, with the exception of the pommel, which is the second style. The fittings throughout have a very fine patina and they also have lots of frosting noticeable almost everywhere. The pommel cap shows little to no usage around the rim and the upper surfaces. This second style cap features the standing oak leaf and acorns, being the same as I show on Page 26 of my Army book. The matching cross guard is the first style, being identical to that shown on Page 24. This bird shows no wear at all, having beautiful detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised out swastika. The frosting still evident throughout this cross guard must be about 85%. The matching first style ferrule is the same as Page 24. The grip is a most beautiful orange color, being quite deep and even colored throughout. There is a tiny chip at the upper portion of the reverse grip and also at the bottom of the grip near the ferrel. We added a brand new portepee to cover these flaws and the dagger looks fantastic. A very fine hilt here! The first style scabbard is the same as Page 24. This scabbard is a steel base type and it is in choice, mint condition. It also has frosting evident throughout the surfaces and shows little to no wear. This scabbard is in mint condition. The carrying bands are the convex variety, having nice detail. The throat is the fairly thick variety and it is retained by a single flatter head screw in the reverse center. There is also lots of lighter colored frosting in this area. The blade of this piece is mirror bright, having choice needle tip. This blade has easily 100% of its cross graining. The reverse ricasso is very deeply etched with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The rodent holds a sword pointing downward. This mint blade has been protected by an in-place brown leather small style blade washer. An extremely nice dagger which would rate mint were it not for the minor chip in the grip.

    Near Mint. $1,095.00

36. AOD #33543 Early Army Officer Dagger

    This is a high-quality, early produced Army Officer Dagger having the generic “b” style fittings. These fittings are the same as I show in my Army book on Page 99. The pommel and cross guard have never been cleaned and have a fine, black patination. The pommel has good formation throughout, showing little carrying time to the edges. The standing oak leaves are the 14 variety type and this pommel is the style which will have the threaded stem in the center. This style pommel seemed to always come as a set with the generic “b” cross guard. This guard is as nice as the one that is shown in the book. It has outstanding detail to the bird’s noble head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika. The silvering is perfect and nice and black. The ferrule is the same as the book piece, also having good patination. Contrasting beautifully with these dark fittings is a tangerine color orange grip. This grip is in perfect condition throughout and is just a tad lighter on the reverse. A beautiful, high-quality hilt here. The matching scabbard also has all the silvering and it appears as though whoever produced this piece purchased this scabbard from Carl Eickhorn. This is a 2nd style Eickhorn scabbard, but since the black patination exactly matches that of the hilt, there is no question the scabbard has always been together with the dagger. The pebble pattern is still crisp and the scabbard shell is straight as an arrow. The throat is the thicker style and it is retained by one center-placed reverse screw. A mint scabbard here. Taking the dagger out of the scabbard is also a treat, as the blade is a high-quality nickel plated type. This blade has a mirror finish throughout with needlelike tip. It is easily in full mint condition. It is most impressive and has been protected by an in-place, small size tan leather washer. A fine quality army dagger here, despite the unmarked blade.

    Uncleaned Near Mint. $850.00

37. AOD #33544 Untouched Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This untouched Army Officer Dagger by Carl Eickhorn was recently purchased from a veteran source. The cross guard and fittings are the 2nd Style. This dagger does not appear to have ever been apart, nor has it been cleaned. These fittings have a nice patination which extends throughout the hilt and scabbard. The pommel cap is an outstanding example, showing no damage to the rim and beautiful silvering throughout. The standing oak leaves are crisp and impressive. The ferrule nicely matches. The cross guard is the same as is shown as on Page 25 of my Army book. This cross guard portrays a fine mobile eagle looking to the viewer’s left with full detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised mobile swastika. There is a little bit of bubbling just at the left quillon, but no loss of silvering. There is also some minor freckling on the reverse of this cross guard, but again, the silvering is all in place and the very dark patination covers these flaws. The grip is an extremely dark example. This grip is as dark as a pumpkin and is in nice condition throughout. It is slightly lighter on the reverse and maybe in the areas where a once-present portepee was around the upper and lower sections of the grip. A nice looking hilt here. The scabbard is also a fine example, having perfect silvering and being identical to the ones I show on Pages 226 and 227. This fine scabbard has crisp pebbling and the bands are nicely done. The throat is the thicker variety, having a center-placed flatter style screw in the reverse upper area. The blade of this example is still bright, having all of its original cross graining and needlelike tip. There are a couple of extremely mild spots, but still, the blade easily rates in near mint condition. The reverse ricasso has the stamped 11935-41 squirrel trademark. This stamped mark is identified as 1940 wartime vintage. The blade is protected by an in-place, small style leather buffer. A nice army dagger here, and especially if you like the untouched pieces.

    Untouched Near Mint. $1,095.00

38. AOD #33545 Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger does not look to have been ever cleaned and it has a very choice dark patination across all of the silvered fittings. It is the 2nd type fittings and scabbard and is identical to the example I show in my Army book on Pages 25 and 26. The pommel has one tiny usage sign around the rim, but the upper portion is perfect and flawless. The oak leaves which run around the circumference are crisp and shiny black. The same is true of the ferrule below. The Type 2 cross guard is a real beauty, having great definition to the bird’s head, eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering and wreathed swastika. The reverse of this cross guard shows just the slightest of freckling in the surfaces, but the patination covers it for the most part. There is also frosting evident in the areas around the ferrule. The grip is a very beautiful light orange color. This color is just the slightest bit darker on the reverse. This grip is in completely perfect condition. The 2nd style scabbard is also a beauty. It has 100% silvering, crisp pebbling and is completely dent-free. The overlapping oak leaves on the bands are crisp. The thicker style throat is retained by a center placed, flatter head single screw. Beautiful scabbard here! The blade of this choice example is as nice as you will see. It is mirror bright and has all of the cross graining. It is in mint condition and is darkly etched with the 1935-41 squirrel. This squirrel holds a downward pointing sword. The leather washer is in place. An extremely nice, untouched Army Officer dagger.

    Mint Minus. $1,195.00

39. AOD #32081 Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This early Army Officer Dagger is of initial production, the fittings and scabbard being of brass base silver-plated finish. The silvering still remains perfect throughout this piece and, in fact, there is even some frosting remnants here and there around the crossguard. The beautiful pommel shows a little bit of true wear time, but not much. It is the early fourteen-leaf type identical to the example I show in my Army Book on page 61. This choice pommel is nicely patinated and has hand-enhancement to each and every one of the oak leaves. The oak leaves which fall along the two casting flawed areas are both works of art. The plain areas above the leaves have been hand peened. A great pommel here! The patination exactly matches that of the crossguard and the scabbard. This crossguard reflects the initial eagle motif used by this prestigious company. It is identical to page 61 having all details to the intricate breast feathering, eye, beak and head areas of the bird. The vaulted swastika looks great within the hand rendered wreath. The crossguard silvering is 100% and has the initials of its original owner lightly scratched into the reverse, "WD". The fine grip is a deep pumpkin orange type being in perfect condition. This beautiful deeply toned grip is just the slightest bit lighter on the reverse. There is an original 42 cms aluminum portepee which looks like it has always been with this piece. It is in the Army tie and other than just a little fraying where the cording comes out above the left crossguard arm, it is perfect. The scabbard is nice and straight throughout showing just the slightest of usage signs. Given that it is a brass-based type, though, it is remarkable it has survived in this fine of a condition all these years. This choice scabbard is the same as the one I show on page 61. It has very fine pebbling which is different from the later vintages. The throat is retained by two flathead screws as WKC did in the beginning. (Later they went to just one.) The bands also reflect handwork to the oak leafing. A great scabbard here! The blade is the best you will see. This early blade has mirror bright surface and easily 100% crossgraining. It retains its needlelike tip and is mint. The reverse ricasso is deeply etched with the knighthead over the firm's initials and location, "WKC Solingen". The original large style brown leather washer is in place protecting this great artifact. A very choice early WKC and perfect for the Army type collectors out there.

    Near Mint. $895.00

40. AOD #29197 Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger has fine silvering throughout its 2nd Style parts. The pommel has quite a bit of patination throughout. The rim shows a couple of spots where there were hits while the dagger was carried. The standing oak leaves around the perimeter are crisp and in good condition, numbering 12. The crossguard and ferrule are the same as is shown on page 25 of my Army Book. This crossguard has some dark areas matching the pommel and also some of the areas on the silvering are lighter in tone. The eagle is crisp throughout being exactly like page 25. The grip of this example is a pleasing amber orange color. The grip is nearly perfect having just the tiniest of sliver missing from the reverse edge where the upper grip goes in to the pommel. This flaw is hardly noticeable however. A nice looking color tone to this grip. The matching 2nd style scabbard is also in excellent condition having good silvering. The pebble patterns are still nice and crisp, and the scabbard is totally straight except for a very tiny “pinch” just at the end shape. This is hardly noticeable however. The bands are the typical Eickhorn overlapping oak leaves having good hand done detail to the veining. The scabbard throat is a thicker style being retained by one reversed center placed flathead style screw. The blade of this example is nice and bright throughout easily being in near full mint condition. There is just the slightest of age noticeable in a couple of places but not enough to really take away from a mint rating. The blade’s tip is still needlelike. All of the crossgraining is still present on this fine blade. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 squirrel. The original small style brown leather washer is in place protecting this fine blade. A good army officer’s dagger here.

    Excellent, Plus, Plus $995.00

41. AOD 29165 Army Officer Dagger - Alcoso

    This Army Officer Dagger is in an untouched, uncleaned state. I purchased it from the daughter of the Bronx veteran who brought the dagger back. This example is of 1941 vintage. It has the 3rd style fittings being exactly as I show in my Army Book on page 21 and page 23. These fittings have all patinated to a coal black color. The pommel is the flared out style that this company normally used. Although it is completely blackened there is a little bit of beveling at the top of the pommel and resultingly a small amount of flaking to the silvering has occurred around the rim area. 95% though of the plating is still all there. These pommels feature fourteen standing oak leaves around the perimeter. The crossguard and ferrule are the same as page 21. They are in choice condition having 100% silvering and all detail is visible to the eagle’s head and breast feathering. This bird is in the identical condition of the pictured piece. Even the small hand done eye and beak area are still visible. A good-looking Alcoso crossguard here. The grip is an off-white celluloid over plaster filled variety. It is in perfect condition contrasting nicely with these dark patinated fittings. The scabbard is a classic Alcoso being identical to page 23, right. This scabbard is coal black and has 100% silvering. The bands have fine detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The slightly thicker throat is a little bit lighter than the rest of the scabbard due to the protection provided by the in place crossguard. This throat is retained by two flatter head side screws being the small bore type used by this producer. Even the carrying rings are nice and black. A nice mint scabbard here! The blade of this example when I acquired it had lots of old dried up grease spread across its surfaces which as most of you know is really a blessing as it seals in the preservation for us collectors to enjoy after using a little bit of acetone and oil to soften up the old grease. This blade has 100% of its original crossgraining as well as a fine needlelike tip. It is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso still has its darkly etched logo. It is the logo used about 1941, being the sideways type having the scales with the firm’s initials, “ACS”. To the right of the scales is the firm’s name and script over, “Solingen”. The written script has the look of Alcosa, but it is Alcoso, just having a fancy line extending past the ending O giving it this look where many mistakenly call it, “Alcosa”. The large size leather washer is in place protecting this choice blade. This is a great dagger here and if you are collection “types” it really is a classic Alcoso. It is a pleasure to see an untouched example like this as the blackening is really quite beautiful over the silver fittings

    Untouched Near Mint $895.00

42. AOD #29027 Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger has the 2nd Style fittings throughout. The dagger looks to have been cleaned not too long ago and has a nice bright silver finish throughout. The pommel is a beauty having perfect rim and good detail to the standing oak leaves. The top area also is in choice condition with no hits. The crossguard and ferrule are the 2nd style being exactly as is shown in my Army Book on page 25. The silvering here is also in perfect condition. This bird has very fine detail throughout his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised mobile swastika. The grip is a pretty lemon yellow color, an indication that this dagger has not been exposed to much light over the last fifty years. The grip is in perfect condition on the obverse and on the reverse there is one minor chip in the second from top rib separator but it is really not anything detractive. A good-looking hilt here. The 2nd style scabbard is the same as is shown on page 26, right. This scabbard is in perfect condition being straight and having 100% silvering. The bands are nicely detailed showing overlapping oak leaves and acorns. The throat is the thicker style and it is retained by one center placed screw in the reverse. A fine mint scabbard here. The blade of this example is also a nice one still being bright and having most of its original crossgraining. There is a tiny bit of age smudge in the surfaces here and there but overall this blade still grades at near mint condition. The tip is still needlelike. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The original smaller style brown leather washer is in place. A good-looking army dagger here.

    Mint Minus $995.00

43. AOD #32891 Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This Army Officer Dagger is a mint conditioned beauty, still having much of the original frosted finish spread around below the desirable patination on the areas where the frosting has lifted. The pommel is a textbook WKC example, as is the crossguard and scabbard. This pommel is in choice condition throughout, showing just the modest of usage at the upper portion, and a small amount around the rim. It is still in outstanding condition, however. The standing oak leaves are the 12-count type and they are in crisp condition. The crossguard is the “hatchet” peak, used exclusively by this producer and is identical to the fine example I show on page 79, lower. This crossguard shows no wear and is a high relief example. The detail is extraordinary throughout the head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised swastika. There is much frosting around the upper portion of the crossguard, as well as around the curls of the quillon ends. There are also traces on the eagle. The ferrule is identical to the book example, and this also has minor traces of frosting. The dark patina really sets off the most attractive Popsicle-orange grip. This grip is even toned throughout and is in perfect condition. The scabbard is straight as an arrow, having outstanding pebbling to all of the panels. The scabbard has much of the original frosting still clinging to the edges, and it is nearly intact around the area above the upper carrying band. It is interesting to note that the original owner scratched his name into the lower edge of the scabbard, just between the two bands. It is not noticeable at first, as it appears to be patina in the frosted areas. But a close look reveals the name appears to be “Jerke”. I think that this guy was anything but a jerk, but that is the German name that is on the scabbard. Perhaps he could be researched, as this is not a common surname. The throat of this example is retained by a flatter head WKC screw inserted at the right upper area. The bands are deeply hand accented to the veins of the oak leaves. The rings nicely match the patina throughout. The blade is the best that you will see. It has its full factory brightness with original needle-like tip, and outstanding 100% crossgraining throughout its surfaces. This mint condition blade is dark etched on the reverse with the knighthead logo. The armor is situated over the firm’s name and location, “WKC/Solingen”. The original large size brown leather washer is new-like and still in place. If you are looking for a WKC that you will not have to bother upgrading, this example should easily satisfy your demand.

    Full Mint. $1,495.00

44. AOD #32885 Army Officer Dagger with Distributor - Alcoso

    This Alcoso Army Officer Dagger is a very early example, which would have been purchased through a retail store rather than from a factory salesman. The dagger is identical to the example I show in my army book on page 126. This dagger does not appear to have been cleaned since the war. It has lots of patination built up throughout, but there is also quite a bit of original frosting still beneath the factory lacquer. The pommel is the Alcoso variety that flares outward. It is identical to the examples I show in my army book on page 22 and 23. The pommel top is nice and smooth throughout with signs of frosting around the protected inner areas. The rim of the pommel is still excellent, showing only mild usage. There are 12 standing leaves that run around the circumference and each one has hand done veins. The crossguard is the common early one we see, being the same as page 21, lower. This bird still has good detail to his eye and beak, something not seen on many Alcoso pieces. This is a good sign that this dagger was not worn much. The breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised swastika are also still crisp. The ferrule is the same as the book piece. The grip is an Egg yolk-yellow color. It is a solid celluloid type and it is in perfect condition, showing a little bit of dirt and usage, but nothing that wouldn’t clean up. The scabbard is a typical earlier Alcoso variety. It is the same as the example shown on page 23, right. This scabbard is completely straight on the obverse, having a tiny ding on the reverse down near the chape area. It is possible that this ding could come out. The pebble pattern is the thinner type we see on earlier scabbards and it is still crisp throughout each of the panels. The edges of the scabbard still reflect some frosting. There is no lifting here and the scabbard is in perfect condition. It is interesting to note that there is a silhouette of the crossguard wreath appearing on the obverse scabbard face below the throat. It is also lighter in this area, where it was protected. The bands show excellent hand detailing, and the thinner throat is retained by two Alcoso small bore flatter head side screws. The blade of this example is a nice one. It is bright throughout and has all of its crossgraining and needle-like tip. There is just the slightest of age that appears along the obverse segment and a little on the reverse left segment, but really not enough to take the blade away from a mint rating. What is really interesting about this blade, though, is the fact that it has its original retail store name etched on the obverse center segment. In capital letters it is etched, “ALBERT KUHL, MÜNSTER I/W. – ESSEN”. This distributor, Herr Kuhl had two stores, one in the town of Münster, and one in the town of Essen. The reverse ricasso has the early 1937 through 1939 Alcoso trademark matching etched. It features the scales logo with the firm’s initials, “ACS”, interspersed. Above the scales in capital letters formed in an arch is the firm’s name, “ALCOSO”, and below the location town of “SOLINGEN”. The large size brown leather washer is in place. This is a neat dagger for the “type” collectors out there. The Kuhl firm must have sold a lot of daggers for Alcoso in order to induce this producer to etch their name on the blade. This example has the look that it might not be in good condition, but that is not the case. It is just patinated after years of never being cleaned. I’m sure that this dagger will easily to near mint condition.

    Excellent Plus. $1,095.00

45. AOD #32743 Army Officer Dagger

    This unmarked Army Officer Dagger is a fairly early piece and it has high quality fittings and plating throughout. It also has a fine grip which we will discuss later in the description. This fine army dagger has hit fittings that are the generic “A” variety. They are the same as is shown on page 78 of my army book. These fittings are deeply patinated and do not look to have been cleaned since the war. The pommel is in choice pristine condition, having entirely crisp rim and no sign of wear to the fine smooth top surfaces. The standing oak leaves are hand engraved to the veining and they are also very crisp. The matching crossguard displays a high relief generic “A” eagle, having full details to the bird’s eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised swastika. The reverse of the crossguard is also in fine smooth condition. The ferrule is the same as the book piece, having matching patination. The grip on this example is an off-white type. It appears to be a solid celluloid variety, not the usual plaster filled type. It has a nice slight age to the surface tones, and the grip remains in completely perfect condition. The original portepee is still in the army early tie. This portepee is the style with the larger type aluminum cords. It shows just the slightest fray at the reverse area where the dagger rubbed against the original wearer’s tunic. This does not show from the front where the knot really talks to you. A very fine hilt here! The scabbard is the typical generic type, the same as page 78. This, too, has outstanding silver plating. It, too, has patinated to match the hilt. The pebble patterns to all of the panels are still crisp. The bands are the generic style with good looking oak leaf detail. The throat is the thinner type we usually see with these generic scabbards, and it is retained by a headless flush mount screw in the center reverse. The blade of this piece is of extreme high quality. It is easily in full stone mint condition. At first it looks like a plated blade because its mirror finish is so fine. But looking closely at it, it is possible to see that it is a polished type blade as it still has all of its crossgraining. A really fine example here of a quality blade. More than likely, an early piece like this with an unmarked blade was probably available through a retail store or a distributor. The original pebble style leather blade washer is in place. A very fine untouched Army Officer’s dagger.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $795.00

46. AOD #31137C Early Army Officer Dagger with Hangers and Portepee - Robert Klaas

    This Klaas Army Officer Dagger would be one of the earliest examples we have seen. It is identical to the example I show in my Army Book on page 45. The fittings are very heavy brass base throughout having choice silver plating. The dagger does not look to have been cleaned in many years and has a very fine patination evenly spread throughout the hilt and scabbard mounts. The pommel has fine oak leafing extending around its circumference with acorns alternating between the leaves. The pommel rim is still crisp and the upper plain area has no carrying signs. The crossguard eagle is a real beauty and is very rare to see. This eagle has a fine head and beak with excellent depiction and the breast feathering below is very closely checkered. This breast feathering shows just the most nominal of wear. The wing feathering is excellent as is the detail to the talons, wreath and mobile swastika. This crossguard is the same as page 45. The grip of this example is also a stunner. It looks like a butterscotch candy stick and it is also an early “slant” style. It is really quite beautiful and remains in perfect condition. This grip is an indication that the tang below will be the early tapered type. The ferrule is also the same as page 45. The hilt is decorated with a fine aluminum portepee. It is the style with more narrow type cord and it remains in excellent condition showing no fray just some mild age. A very fine hilt here! The scabbard is the same as is shown on page 45. This substantial example is extremely handsome being totally straight throughout with the exception of just a tiny bb style dent at the bottom obverse but it is nothing. The pebbling is the early close grain type and the bands have fine added detail to the veining. The silvering throughout this scabbard is in perfect condition. The throat is retained by two dome head side screws which are unbuggered. Attached to the scabbard rings is an early set of army hangers. These hangers show some age and a little bit of fraying but they are equipped with the rarely seen all brass hardware. This is to include the oak leaf over buckles and slides as well as the lower push-in style pebbled snaps. It is rare to see all brass hardware on these straps. The blade of this example is also a very substantial one. It is wider than most having a very strong center section. It has 100% of its original crossgraining and still retains its needlelike tip. The obverse is stamped with the kissing cranes logo. The birds are placed over the firm’s name and location, “Robert Klaas Solingen”. The original small leather new-like washer is in place. This blade is in near full mint condition. A very nice dagger here and a very unusual example. Klaas did not make many early daggers. A great one here for the “type” collectors out there.

    Mint Minus $1,595.00

47. AOD #32135 Personalized Army Officer Dagger – WKC

    This Army Officer Dagger is in exceptional condition and has much appeal. It is a textbook WKC piece and the hilt fittings are identical to the examples I show in my Army book on pages 63 and 66. These fittings have an outstanding patination throughout and do not look to have been cleaned in many years. The pommel is in fine condition, having a perfect, smooth surface at the top and showing a few signs of usage around the rim but no bad hits. The standing oak leaves number twelve and they are all in crisp condition. The ferrule is the same as the example I show on page 62. The cross guard is the style with the “hatchet beak” eagle. This cross guard has outstanding detail throughout with very close checkering to the breast of the eagle. The eagle’s wings show fine detail as do the talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The really interesting part about this dagger though is the applied personalization. The letters “tp” appear on the reverse cross guard and they are cut out of brass by a jeweler and applied via pins through the cross guard. The style of the letters is a very high art-deco and they really are striking. It is possible that the monogram is also “pt”. The next owner can be the judge in which initial represents the surname. The grip of this piece is a most beautiful orange celluloid. It is a fine, rich pumpkin color and is in complete, perfect condition. The dagger has a fine 42cm aluminum portepee which shows only normal age but no fraying at all. A really great looking hilt here and if you are looking for an unusual personalized piece, this one should really please you. I show applications similar to this with applied cut out brass on page 204 of my Army book in color. The scabbard is a textbook WKC. It is an earlier version, having fine pebbling to all of the panels. The oak leaf decorated bands have hand enhancing throughout their veins. The scabbard looks identical to the one I show on page 62 but this scabbard is in better condition than the book piece. This fine, straight scabbard has matching patination. The throat is a fairly thick variety and it is retained by a flat head screw on the right edge, typical of WKC. The blade of this example is extremely nice, being fully mint except for a little bit of age at the tip. It is nothing, though, and the blade easily grades in mint condition despite the minor amount of age. All of the cross graining visible and the surfaces are mirror bright. The reverse ricasso is deeply etched with the knighthead trademark positioned over the firm’s initials and location “WKC Solingen”. The large style brown leather washer is in place deep within the cross guard recesses. An outstanding personalized dagger here with beautiful workmanship shown to the monogram.

    Mint Minus. $1,495.00

48. AOD #32427 Army Officer Dagger – WKC

    This Army Officer Dagger is a textbook WKC example. It has a nice patination throughout and does not appear to have been cleaned since the war. The fittings and scabbard are identical to the piece I show in my Army book on page 63, left. The pommel is in fine condition, showing no hits to the rim and good, smooth top. The standing oak leaves are nice and crisp throughout. The ferrule is the same as the book example. The cross guard features the “hatchet beak” typical of this producer. The bird has outstanding detail to his eye, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and swastika. The reverse cross guard still has all the silvering but shows just a little minute age in the surfaces but there is no lifting whatsoever. The grip is an egg yolk yellow color and the tone is about the same on both sides. There is just the slightest of a hairliner on the bottom reverse segment but it is very hard to see. There is also a small one on the right edge where the grip goes into the ferrule. Again, this would easily be missed by most and both of these would easily cover with a portepee. Other than these two hairliners, the grip is in perfect condition. The scabbard is nicely patinated, matching the hilt fittings. The scabbard is a classic WKC, being identical to the book piece on page 63. Like we see with a lot of WKCs, there is still a lot of the original silver frosting which remains throughout the length of both edges. The pebble pattern to the panels is a darker color making for a nice contrast when the scabbard is turned to the eye. The bands are highly detailed, featuring overlapping oak leaves all with hand done veining. The throat is a thicker variety and it is retained by one flatter head style screw on the right side. The blade is the only shortcoming on this piece. This blade shows a little bit of gray in the surfaces but might clean up with a little work and some semichrome. The blade has no pitting, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to bring out a better finish. I can still see some of the cross graining in it and the tip is not needlelike but it is still sharp. This blade grades at about excellent to excellent plus. The reverse ricasso is deeply etched with the knighthead trademark positioned over the firms’ initials and location “WKC Solingen”. The new-like large leather style blade washer is in place. A good, sound example here.

    Excellent Plus. $695.00

49. AOD #32060 Personalized Army Officer Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

    This Carl Eickhorn Army Dagger is a classic 2nd Style example. It does not look as though it has ever been cleaned and if you like the black tarnish look, this example should fit well into your collection. The fittings and scabbard are exactly like the ones I show in my Army book on page 25. The pommel is in excellent condition, having a good, smooth top and showing some minor frosting remaining around the center area. The rim shows a little bit of usage but no hits. The 12 standing oak leaves with alternating acorns are nice and crisp. The ferrule is the same as the book example. The cross guard features the great looking Eickhorn eagle. This bird is raised high off the surface and has outstanding detail to its brow, eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and mobile swastika. The cross guard also has quite a bit of original frosting which is around the swirls of the quillon arms above the eagle and also around the center portion of the upper cross guard where it is protected by the grip. The reverse of the cross guard also has the original owner’s monogram. It is a stylized gothic letter “B”. The engraving is not very deep but it does look to be professionally done. There are some tiny “dots” in the scribe lines that may have been part of the engraving or possibly they are a small lift from underneath. It is hard to tell, even with looking through a loop. An interesting monogram here. The scabbard is the typical 2nd type and it is a beauty throughout. It is patinated the same as the hilt fittings. The pebbled panels are nice and crisp and the edges still have some of the original frosting clinging around the carrying bands as well as the throat area. This mint scabbard has the thicker throat usually seen on this firms’ product. This throat is retained by a flatter head screw in the center reverse. The blade of this example is mirror bright. It has all of its cross graining and still has a fine, needlelike tip. There is just the slightest bit of smudge on the surfaces near the lower area. Possibly, this could be cleaned out with a little work because, other than this, the blade does grade in a mint state. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The original, newlike small leather washer is in place. A very nice, untouched, monogrammed army officer’s dagger.

    Excellent Plus Plus. $995.00

50. AOD #32428 Army Officer Dagger – WKC

    This Army Officer Dagger is a class WKC, and it does not appear to have been cleaned since the war. The fittings are the same as is shown in my Army book on page 63. The pommel is this example is in excellent condition with no hits to the rim and the upper area shows some age but no lifting. The oak leaves and acorns which go around the pommel perimeter are crisp with good black backgrounds. The ferrule exactly matches that show in the book example. The cross guard is the “hatchet beak” style used exclusively by this firm. This cross guard has outstanding detail to the bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The reverse of the cross guard is also nice and smooth with full patinated silvering. There are some signs of frosting remaining in the curls of the quillons as well as around the ferrule area where it has been protected. The grip is a very desirable deep pumpkin orange color. The color is just the slightest bit lighter than the reverse. This grip is in totally perfect condition. The scabbard is a beauty, being straight throughout and having good, crisp pebble patterns. This scabbard is a classic WKC and it also has much of the frosting remaining throughout both edge sides as well as the area around the throat which would have been covered by the cross guard. The scabbard throat is the thicker type and it is retained by one flatter head screw in the right edge. The blade is as nice as you will see. It is mirror mint and has 100% of the cross graining. The blade also has a fine needlelike tip. This mint blade is etched on the reverse ricasso with the knighthead trademark. Beneath is the firm’s initials and location “WKC Solingen”. The original large leather blade buffer is in place. An exceptionally nice WKC dagger here in “as-found” untouched condition.

    Near Mint. $895.00

51. AOD #31719 Army Officer Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger has the second style fittings and scabbard used by Eickhorn. The pommel rim shows very little carrying time. The standing oak leaves number twelve and they are all in good condition. The crossguard is the typicalvsecond pattern type and is identical to the example I show on page 25. This crossguard also has some silvering noticeable around the upper areas where it meets the ferrule. The ferrule also nicely matches. The details to the eagle’s eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and swastika are excellent. This crossguard exhibits 100% silvering. The grip is an orange example on the obverse turning slightly to a tangerine color on the reverse. The grip is in good condition throughout having a couple of flecks that are missing on one of the section dividers but it is nothing. The scabbard is nice and straight on the obverse and on the reverse there is just the slightest ripple just below the second band but it is nothing. The pebble pattern is crisp and the oak leaves are well done on the carrying bands. This fine scabbard has a thicker style throat which is retained by one center placed screw in the reverse. The blade of this example is nice and bright throughout retaining its needlelike tip. The crossgraining is still visible in the surfaces. There is just the slightest of age noticeable in a couple of places but overall this blade easily grades in near full mint. The reverse ricasso is etched with the trademark used from 1935-41. The original small size brown leather washer is in place. A very nice untouched Eickhorn dagger here with a nice patination.

    Near Mint. $1,195.00

52. AOD #32050 Army Officer Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger is equipped with the second style fittings throughout. The fittings are identical to the ones that I show on page 25 of my army book. These hilt fittings have developed a nice patination throughout. The pommel is nice and crisp showing little carrying time and the standing oak leaves are also nicely done. The crossguard depicts the same eagle as the book picture having excellent detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The ferrule also nicely matches. These hilt fittings have 100% silvering. The grip is a yellow orange color and it is in perfect condition. The scabbard is straight throughout being the second type produced. This scabbard has crisp pebbling throughout its panels, it’s straight as an arrow and has good detail to the leaves of the carrying bands. The thicker style throat is retained by a single center placed flatter head screw in the reverse. The blade is still quite bright throughout having just a tiny bit of smudge appearing in a few places. The blade though still grades easily at near mint having a fine needlelike tip. The 1935-41 squirrel trademark is darkly etched on the reverse ricasso. The original brown leather washer is in place. A good army dagger here in fine collectible condition.

    Excellent Plus. $995.00

53. AOD #31479 Early Army Officer Dagger – Carl Eickhorn

    This early example features the first style fittings throughout. These fittings are identical to the piece that I show on page 24 of my army book. The pommel is the second style which we sometimes see used on earlier fittings. This was simply a matter of using up parts. Comparing the pommel to the crossguard it is obvious from the patination and also the frosting remaining that these two parts were always together. The pommel shows good detail throughout and little carrying time. The first style crossguard is a beauty retaining full detail to the bird’s head, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The early style ferrule also nicely matches and is the same as the book piece. The grip is a very pleasing orange color. This grip is in perfect condition throughout. The scabbard is the first style but is not the brass base being steel. The panels are still mostly crisp and the silvering is still 100% also with some frosting remaining in the protected areas around the bands and the throat. The scabbard bands are the early type having good detail and hand enhancing to the oak leafing. The throat is of a medium thickness and it is retained by a center placed flatter style screw. The blade of this example is outstanding. It is an early tapered tang type and is nice and bright with 100% of the crossgraining. The tip is still needlelike. This blade has a couple of tiniest signs of age but nothing that would not clean off if somebody wanted to do it. This blade is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is deep etched with the 1935-41 squirrel logo. The original brown leather washer is in place. A very nice early Eickhorn dagger here.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $1,195.00

54. AOD #31509 Army Officer Dagger with Simulated Ivory Grip

    This Army Officer Dagger is a private purchase example, having very high quality generic “A” fittings and other features which we’ll get to further in the description. The pommel, crossguard and ferrule are the same as I show on page 78 of my army book. These mounts still have much of the original lacquer and frosting throughout their surfaces. The pommel upper area has about 80% of the frosting while there are also frosting signs around the sides and pedestal of the pommel. The oak leaves are nicely done with fine detail. The crossguard features a beautiful eagle having fine detail to his head, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and mobile swastika. There is also maybe 50% of the original frosting on this mount. The ferrule is the same as the book piece and also has matching frosted finish. The grip is quite beautiful and at first glance, especially from the rear, really looks like genuine ivory. This was a simulate effect that was offered at extra cost. This grip is in perfect condition throughout and if you can’t afford or can’t find an original ivory example maybe this one would look good in your collection for now. The scabbard is also a high quality example having frosting throughout the protected areas and perfect silvering. This scabbard has outstanding detail to the oak leaf bands. We see this style scabbard many times with a no maker marked etched blade. It is the type of scabbard that has the throat retaining screw mounted on the center obverse instead of the reverse. This screw is the headless type. An exceptional scabbard here in choice mint condition. The blade of this example is also especially nice. Although it is unmarked it is high quality all the way having a beautiful nickel-plated finish instead of the usual polished style. The blade is completely mirror bright and other than just a small spot on the reverse tip it is easily in full mint condition. This blade is protected by a large style in place leather washer. A very fine dagger here and the first simulated ivory grip I’ve had to offer in a long time.

    Near Mint. $1,295.00

55. AOD #31709 Army Officer Dagger – Arthur Schüttelhöfer

    This Schüttelhöfer Army Officer Dagger is a rarely seen maker mark. The dagger is fitted with nickel-plated generic “A” hilt fittings. These fittings are the same as we see on page 78 of my army book. The dagger though appears to have the identical fittings and scabbard as is shown on the Schüttelhöfer dagger on page 88. The pommel is in good condition showing some minor usage signs but also having a nice patination with a never cleaned surface. The standing oak leaves are crisp around the circumference. The crossguard is in excellent condition throughout having exceptional detail to the bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The ferrule exactly matches the fittings. The grip is an off-white color which is probably a plaster filled variety. If you look closely you can just see a small crack which has developed on the depths of the first rib. This flaw is hardly noticeable however. The scabbard has a good matching patination with the exact bands as is shown on page 88. These style bands are usually associated with the Pack firm. These surfaces have never been cleaned and the silvering seems to be still all there. This scabbard is also nice and straight. The thin throat is retained by two dome head screws which are located slightly lower than most – another sign of Pack construction. The blade of this example is quite nice. It is bright throughout and has just the slightest of smudge mainly towards the lower end of both sides. The crossgraining though still appears to be all there and the tip is needlelike. This blade in spite of the smudge grades at excellent plus, plus to near mint. The reverse ricasso is etched with the seldom seen trademark which consists of an oval design. The firm’s name and location is lettered throughout the inner circumference, “A. Schüttelhöfer & Co. Solingen-Wald”. Inside is a pair of crossed hobby horses and beneath the horses is the abbreviated name, “Asso”. The larger size leather washer is in place. A good untouched dagger here for the type collectors out there.

    Excellent Plus. $750.00

56. AOD #31181 Army Officer Dagger – Siegfried Waffen

    This Pack example Army Officer Dagger is complete with generic “A” style hilt fittings. These fittings are the same as I show on page 78 of my army book. The pommel is in outstanding condition showing no carrying time and 100% silvering. The same is true of the crossguard. The bird has outstanding detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The ferrule nicely matches the rest of the mounts and is the same as page 78. The grip is a most beautiful lemon color on the reverse and turns to more of a grapefruit color on the obverse. A very pretty combination here with these excellent silvered mounts. The scabbard is a good straight silvered example. It has excellent pebbled patterns and has the Pack style bands the same as is shown on the dagger on page 54. These bands have excellent detail to the oak leaves and acorns. The throat is a thinner type and it is retained by two headless flush mount side screws. The blade is a fine mirror example having 100% of the original crossgraining. This blade retains its needlelike tip and is in full mint condition. This blade really looks nice coming out of the scabbard especially when the viewer is treated to the dramatic Siegfried Waffen trademark. This large trademark has the Siegfried Waffen on either side of the horseshoe shape in the center. The horseshoe contains the firm’s factory details and inside is the hammering Siegfried figure. The original brown small style leather washer is in place. A nice dagger here.

    Near Mint. $895.00

57. AOD #31175 Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger by Carl Eickhorn is composed of 2nd Style mounts. These mounts do not appear to have been cleaned since the war and have developed a nice patination throughout. The hilt fittings are the same as I show in my Army book on page 25 through 27. The pommel has the twelve oak leaves which go around the pommel circumference. They are nicely detailed. The rim has a couple of small wearing taps and the same is true of the pommel top but nothing serious here and the patination shows that these wearing signs go back to the period. The crossguard is the same as page 25. This eagle really looks great showing little to no wear. The bird looks to the viewer’s left and has great detail to his brow, eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. There is even a little bit of frosting that can be seen around the ferrule and around the quillon twirl areas. The ferrule is also the same as the book piece. Setting these nice dark fittings off is a beautiful popsicle orange color grip. This grip is in perfect condition throughout and is even toned on both sides. The scabbard is also the same as page 25 being the 2nd style. It is nice and straight throughout and has good patination matching the hilt. This scabbard has some mild age signs which show through the patination but they are hardly noticeable and if the dagger is left in its uncleaned state this will be the best treatment for these flaws. The bands are in excellent condition having good detail to the oak leafing. The throat is the thicker type often seen used by this firm and it is retained by a center placed flatter head style single screw. The blade of this example is outstanding. It is mirror bright and still retains all of its crossgraining and needlelike tip. This blade is in mint condition. It has a very dark etched trademark on the reverse ricasso. The trademark consists of a seated squirrel holding a sword pointed downward. Above the squirrel is the German word for original, “original”. Below the squirrel is the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn Solingen”. The small style leather washer is in place. A very nice army dagger here in near full mint condition. This dagger was recently purchased from the family of a veteran.

    Mint Minus. $1,095.00

58. AOD #31259C Army Officer Dagger - Clemen & Jung

    This Army Officer Dagger is identical to the example on page 95 of my Army Book. We do not see many Clemen and Jung pieces so this is a good example to acquire an excellent conditioned example if you are a “type” collector out there. This hilt, just like the book example, is equipped with generic “A” style fittings. The fittings are nicely patinated and have all of their silvering intact. The pommel is a fine twelve leaf style depiction and the rim and upper area are free of flaws. The crossguard has outstanding detail to the generic eagle’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and swastika. This fitting is in first rate condition. The ferrule also nicely matches and is the same as the book piece. The grip is a very pleasing deep orange color and it would be in perfect condition except there is a tiny hairliner at the first upper section obverse and also a small crack at the right edge which runs down two segments. These are nothing though and are not jeopardizing the grip’s integrity. The scabbard is also identical to the book example. This scabbard has good silvering and fine matching patination. The pebble patterns are good and crisp and the carrying bands show excellent hand engraving to the oak leaves, the same as the book piece. The rings of this scabbard are also slightly larger than most of the other army types we see. The throat is retained by a single flatter head style screw placed in the middle reverse. The blade of this example is still mostly bright. Clemen and Jung has a way of finishing their blades with the grade running lengthways instead of across the segments. This blade seems to have the lengthway grain and it is still shinier than most Clemen and Jung pieces. The blade has a good needlelike tip and does grade easily at excellent plus, plus. Clemen and Jung blades are also unique in that these early examples are marked with the firm’s name in block letters on the reverse, “Clemen and Jung / Solingen” and on the obverse are marked with a “Z” letter within a crown over a shield device. This is the only maker I can recall that has two identical methods on their blades. This is a rarely seen maker and a great dagger for those collecting the various “types”.

    Excellent Plus. $995.00

59. AOD #31252C Early Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This early Army Officer Dagger is produced of brass based mounts, having good silver plating. The mounts are the same as the example I show in my Army Book on page 61 and page 65. The heavy pommel has the fourteen leaf depiction and each and every one of the leaves shows some hand engraving. There is also some pebbling to cover the casting flaws. This pommel was not threaded very well so it does have a small gap where it meets the reverse of the grip but the threading appears to be factory so there is nothing that can be done about it. Nothing shows from the front though. The crossguard is identical to page 65. It has outstanding detail to the eagle’s head and close gaining to the bird’s breast. The wings have good detail as does the wreath, talons and swastika. A very fine crossguard here in choice condition. The ferrule matches the book example. Adding to the fine look of these early fittings is a slant grip. The slant grip has turned a deep orange color on the obverse being just the slightest lighter tone on the reverse. It is in perfect condition. This early grip of course covers an early tapered style tang. The early WKC scabbard is also exactly like the book piece on page 61. It is in choice straight condition having perfect silvering and brass base. This scabbard is straight as an arrow. The carrying bands have outstanding overlapping oak leaves each and every one has had hand enhancement. The throat is retained by two flatter head style side screws. This dagger was made earlier than the time WKC decided to go with only one throat screw. The blade is also a real beauty. It is mirror bright and appears to be perfect on the obverse side with just the tiniest bit of smudge on the reverse side. The blade still has its needlelike tip and is easily in near full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with a knighthead trademark having the firm’s initials and location below, “WKC Solingen”. The large style brown washer is still in place protecting this fine blade. An outstanding early WKC dagger here.

    Near Mint. $1,495.00

60. AOD #30522C Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This Army Officer Dagger is a classic WKC piece and is exactly the same as the example I show on page 63, left in my Army Book. This dagger was cleaned not too long ago and is beginning to develop a nice patination. The pommel is a good example having fine silvering and showing just a small amount of wear time around the rim. The twelve standing oak leaves with alternating acorns are crisp and have a fine background. The hatchet beaked eagle is a beauty having full details throughout the head, breast feathering, wings, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The silvering shows only the slightest of age but having no lifting or problems. The ferrule is the same as the book piece. The grip is a pleasing lighter egg yolk orange yellow having slightly darker tones to the right side of the grip as compared to the center and left side. The grip is in totally perfect condition. The scabbard is a typical WKC type being straight throughout and having crisp pebbled surfaces. The bands are identical to the example shown on page 63. The throat is a fairly thick type and true to form it is held in place by a single flathead screw on the right side. The blade of this example is as nice as you will find. It is bright and has all of its crossgraining retaining a needlelike tip. This blade is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the knighthead symbol having the firm’s initials and location beneath, “WKC Solingen”. The original large size brown leather washer is in place. A nice conditioned basic dagger here.

    Near Mint. $895.00

61. AOD #30527C Personalized Army Officer Dagger - Alcoso

    This choice Alcoso Officer’s Dagger does not look to have been cleaned since the war and it has developed an outstanding dark patination having a fine sheen to its surfaces. The hilt is the third style used and is the same as I show on page 21, lower of my Army Book. The pommel is a typical Alcoso type with a flared out top. This pommel has a fine smooth upper surface with only the slightest signs of some carrying time. The oak leaves and alternating acorns are in outstanding condition having much hand enhancing around the pommel. The crossguard is the same as page 21. It is even in better condition though than the book piece having distinct detail to the eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. The ferrule also exactly matches the book piece. These silver fittings are really an outstanding dark feature here. The reverse of this crossguard is professionally engraved in the Gothic style with the original owner’s name, “Gruner”. This is not too common of a name so the chances for research are pretty good here. I have not made any attempt to look up this officer so the next owner can have the fun of trying to find out this man’s career. The engraving is really stunning and is a work of art on its own. The grip of this example is also very pleasing to the eye. It is a darker lemon color on the obverse fading to a more grapefruit color on the reverse. It is nice to see a fine yellowy tone like this grip as most will normally tone an orange or egg yolk color. Beautiful grip here still in totally perfect condition. A very fine hilt! The scabbard is also a textbook Alcoso. This scabbard is identical to the example I show on page 22. This scabbard has the exact matching deep patination and it is straight as an arrow having 100% of its original silvered finish. The bands are highly detailed and the thicker style throat is retained by the two flatter head side screws being the type that have small bore. This scabbard is in mint condition. The blade of this example is also a real treasure. It is completely mirror bright and has 100% of its crossgraining still retaining a needlelike tip. The blade has the trademark used by this firm beginning in 1941. It is etched with the horizontally appearing scales having the firm’s initials, “ACS” interspersed. To the right of the scales is the firm’s name and location, “Alcoso Solingen”. The Alcoso is written in script and gives the look of ending in the letter “A” but this is just due to the extended line in the fancy signature. This beautiful blade has been protected by a large size in place brown leather washer. If you are looking for a choice textbook dagger also bearing a fine unresearched original officer’s name I highly suggest you consider this example. It is a beauty and left uncleaned in its current state it will only get more beautiful.

    Mint Minus. $1,495.00

62. AOD #30451 Army Officer Dagger - Siegfried Waffen

    This Pack produced Army Officer Dagger does not look to have been cleaned in many years. It is a fine example having textbook Pack fittings and scabbard. The fittings are identical to the examples I show on the piece on page 54. These fittings have a fine patination throughout. The pommel top surfaces show some usage signs and a little bit of peeling in the plating just at the very top but it is no big deal. The oak leaves and acorns which go around the pommel’s circumference are very interesting to study. Each of them has had quite a bit of handwork to give them their veins and shape. The ones that fell in the area where the casting flaws occurred have almost totally been engraved by hand. There are also pebbled areas in between the oak leaves which was hand done by this in house jeweler. A great job here and something that all admirers of German craftsmanship will enjoy looking at. The crossguard is identical to the example I show on page 55. This eagle has full details to his beak, eye, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swastika. Just about all of the silvering is still intact across this fine crossguard. The ferrule is the same as the book piece on page 55. The grip is an appealing tangerine orange color. It is interesting in that the rib areas have a little darker residue which separates them and they also have almost a serrated look in the grooves. I don’t remember seeing this look before and I must say it is quite effective if studied through a loop. An interesting grip here still in perfect condition. The Pack scabbard is identical to the example shown on page 54 and 55. It has excellent silvering throughout the surfaces and would easily clean up to full mint should someone want to do this. The bands of the scabbard are particularly nice showing lots of handwork here. The areas where the casting flaws occurred on each end of the bands has all hand done oak leafing veins. These bands are also the typical Pack type having the larger border area than most others. The throat is retained by two dome head screws also a Pack trait and true to form the screws are located lower than most others and they are the same as page 54. The blade of this example is a real killer. It is as good as you will ever see being totally pristine mirror mint and still having its original needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso has the same neat looking trademark as the one shown on page 54. It has the Siegfried Waffen lettering above and below the horseshoe arch shape which contains the firm’s details and in the center is the hammering Siegfried figure. This beautiful blade is protected by the large size in place dark brown leather buffer. A fine textbook Pack dagger here.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $895.00

63. AOD #30524C Personalized Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This personalized example is a classic WKC throughout and is in fine collectible condition not appearing to have been cleaned in many years. The WKC hilt mounts are identical to those that I show on page 64 and 66 of my Army Book. The pommel is in choice condition having a fine smooth top and no signs of carrying hits around the rim. The alternating oak leaves and acorns are beauties having outstanding black backgrounds. The crossguard has the “hatchet” style beak unique to this producer. This crossguard is identical to page 66. This “hatchet” eagle has perfect crisp detail to his eye, his beak, his breast feathering, the talons, wreath and also the mobile swastika. The silvering throughout this crossguard is outstanding. The reverse of the guard has the original owner’s monogram nicely engraved, “R.U.”. The letters are double script variety having nice shading in between. These letters are not fancy but they have a quality to their engraving. Obviously the initials “R.U” are not going to be enough to research this officer but they do give a nice quality to the dagger. The grip is a fine tangerine orange color. This grip is in totally perfect condition throughout. The original portepee is also in place. It is a 42 cm variety which is in good shape throughout except for a little bit of fray where the cord comes out of the original tie. If any thing though this gives character and the “fray” also “talks to you” as it is positioned exactly where the cord swings across the top of the crossguard quillon. A nice hilt here! The scabbard is the classic WKC style having one screw to retain the throat. This scabbard is the same as is shown on page 63. There are some signs of frosting clinging around the edges of the scabbard and also around the protected area of the throat. This thicker style throat is retained by the one flat screw on the right side. The bands all have hand done detail to the veins. A fine mint condition scabbard here. The blade of this example is also a beauty. It is mirror bright throughout and has its original needlelike tip. The graining is easily 100% throughout this mint blade and the reverse ricasso is etched with the knighthead logo and the firm’s initials and location below, “WKC Solingen”. The large style leather washer is in place protecting this blade. A fine personalized army officer’s dagger here.

    Near Mint. $1,395.00

64. AOD #30521C Army Officer Dagger with Issue Tag - WKC

    This beautiful WKC Army Officer Dagger is in untouched unissued condition having an outstanding patination. The fittings are the textbook WKC type being identical to the examples I show on page 63 and page 66. These deeply patinated fittings are in new like condition still having lots of frosting which sticks out from the patinated areas where air has gone beneath the lacquer. This is always a beautiful sight if you know what you are looking at. This pommel is a choice example having good smooth surface and frosting in the lower parts. There is also frosting around the standing oak leaves and acorns which are also crisp. The crossguard depicts the hatchet head style eagle having full detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. There is also lots of frosting around the protected area of the ferrule. The ferrule is identical to the book piece depicted on page 66. The later orange tangerine color grip is in perfect condition and has much eye appeal. The WKC textbook scabbard is straight as an arrow and has the edges with almost full frosting intact. There is also frosting at the bottom chape and around the protected throat area. This scabbard is as crisp as the day it was produced. The bands are also high quality examples having hand done engraving to enhance the oak leaves. The thicker style throat is retained by one flatter head style screw on the right edge. Attached to the upper ring is a WKC string issue tag. This tag is a gold color border having a red interior. On the obverse side it has the knighthead logo in gold color with the firm’s name and location above and below respectively, “WKC Solingen”. On the reverse is the guarantee of quality writing, “Garantie / für / Wertarbeit”. This guarantee is all in gold writing with red background. The string itself is also of a red silk like material. The blade of this example is a real killer. It is completely bright and has all of its crossgraining and retains its needlelike tip. This blade easily grades in full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the knighthead logo positioned over the firm’s name and location, “WKC Solingen”. The new-like brown leather large sized blade buffer is in place. If you are looking for a mint dagger to go in your collection along with the string tag you won’t do better than this one. If you happen to have a WKC issue sack this would even add to the fun. A fine example here!

    Mint. $1,495.00

65. AOD #30523C Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This Army Officer Dagger has all WKC fittings except for the crossguard which is a generic “A” variety. It all looks original to the piece so apparently WKC ran out of their stock guards and must have purchased one down the street. At any rate, the hilt fittings are in excellent condition throughout having good silvered finish. The pommel shows a little bit of age underneath the silvering but it is only slightly around the rim and all the silvering is still intact. The oak leaves and acorns are crisp going around the circumference. As stated above the crossguard is the generic “A” variety and it is identical to the example shown on page 79 of my Army Book. This crossguard has outstanding detail to the head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. Above the crossguard is the ferrule which is the same as the example shown on page 66. The grip of this example is a very pretty chiffon yellow color. It is in perfect condition and has an appealing sheen to the surfaces. The scabbard is a fine WKC type still having much of the original frosted finish along both of its edges. This scabbard is in choice condition and easily rates mint. The scabbard is the same as is shown on page 63, left. The blade of this example is as nice as they come. It is in full mint condition having needlelike tip and all of the crossgraining. The reverse ricasso is dark etched with the knighthead logo which is positioned above the maker’s name and location, “WKC Solingen”. The original large size leather blade buffer is in place. A very nice dagger here.

    Mint Minus. $895.00

66. AOD #30406 Early Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This early Army Officer Dagger is a very fine dagger having the first style fittings throughout except for the pommel which is a 2nd Style. The pommel is in excellent condition showing just a little bit of wear around the rim but has good silvering throughout the smooth top surface with no hits to the rim and good standing oak leaves and alternating acorns. The crossguard and ferrule are the first type they are identical to the examples that I show on page 24 of my Army Dagger Book. The eagle on this crossguard shows only the slightest of wear. It still has full detail to his eye, beak, close checkered breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised out swastika. The ferrule is also the same as page 24. The silvering throughout this area is in perfect condition. The grip is a real beauty also. This grip is a very rich deep orange color on the obverse and it is slightly lighter on the reverse, a testament that the dagger has been laying face upward for many years. A very fine hilt here! The scabbard is the first style also. It is straight throughout and is the steel type. The close knit pebbling is still quite crisp on this example and the convex style bands have excellent applied detail to the veining. The throat of this example is a relatively thin style considering that it is an Eickhorn dagger but it is retained by a flatter head single screw in the reverse center. This scabbard is in mint condition. The blade of this example is an early quality type. In fact, I took a look at the tang and the blade is the early tapered tang style the same as I show on page 16, left. This blade is still bright and appears to have most of all of its crossgraining and ends with a needlelike tip. There is some very mild traces of age in the blade but they are not bad at all and are only mild stains that most blades will eventually accumulate. This blade still easily grades at near full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The small style brown leather blade buffer is in place. A very nice early dagger here that has fine condition throughout and really shows well. This is the kind of dagger that is reminiscent of what people mean when they say the Germans built things with “quality”.

    PNear Mint. $1,095.00

67. AOD #26111C Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This Army Officer Dagger by WKC is a real gem being totally textbook throughout. The pommel and crossguard are the WKC variety. They have fine silvered finish and have patinated very nicely not having been cleaned in some time. The pommel is in nice condition throughout having no wear problems or hits to the rim and the top is nice and smooth. The standing oak leaves and alternating acorns are crisp throughout the pommel circumference. The crossguard has the fine hatchet head eagle used exclusively by this company. This bird is identical to the example that I show on page 79 of my Army book. The bird has outstanding detail to his hatchet beak, eye, close grained breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and swastika. The ferrule is the same as I show on page 64. The grip of this example is very appealing. It is still a beautiful yellow chiffon color and it is in totally perfect condition. It also has some graining in the ribs that give it an elegant effect. A very beautiful hilt here! The scabbard is also a real classic. It is the standard WKC type and as we often see with fine condition WKC scabbards the edges still have all of the frosting and the pebble patterns in the panels have a blue like tone to them. This has all of that and is very beautiful indeed. The reverse of the scabbard has a couple of black lines which look as though they were maybe caused by a rubber band but something of that nature but they will clean out if someone wanted to bother. Personally I would leave it alone as the scabbard is really toning nicely. The bands have good detail and are hand enhanced. The thicker style throat is retained by a single flat head screw in the right side. A beautiful mint scabbard here! The blade of this example is just as nice as the outside. This blade has good mirror finish with all crossgraining and needlelike tip. It is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the knighthead trademark which is positioned over the firm’s name and location, “WKC Solingen”. The new like large style leather washer is in place. If you’re looking for a choice WKC piece this one should fill your bill.

    Mint. $1,395.00

68. AOD #29545C Army Officer Dagger

    This Army Officer Dagger consists of a very choice conditioned dagger with a scabbard that has some flaking to the silver plating. If someone has a generic scabbard out there in good condition this particular piece would be a very good buy. The fittings are fine silvered type and they are the generic “B” type. They are the same as I show on page 99. The pommel is in excellent condition having just a little bit of age under the plating on the top of the pommel. The twelve standing leaves and alternating acorns though are in choice condition throughout. The crossguard eagle is identical to the one shown on page 99 of my Army book. This eagle has full original detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika. This crossguard is a real beauty here. The ferrule is exactly the same as the one shown in the book. The grip is a fine off-white color. It is probably one of the plaster filled types. This grip is a slightly darker tone on the obverse than it is on the reverse but it really has a lovely ivory color. The scabbard is the same as the one shown on page 99. It is nice and straight however there is some lifting to the silver particularly on the edges and a little bit on the surfaces of the top pebble pattern and also the lower pattern on the obverse. The bands are nicely detailed having some handwork to the veins of the leaves. There is just a little bit of brass showing through on these bands. The throat is a thicker type and it is retained by two headless side screws. The blade of this example is in outstanding condition. It has all of its crossgraining and it’s still nice and bright and in full mint. It is an unmarked example as it probably represented a contract order by the army from many different suppliers. The original pebbled leather washer is in place. Once again, a very good example here if you possibly have a better conditioned scabbard.

    Excellent. $675.00

69. AOD #29519 Untouched Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger does not appear to have been cleaned since the war. It is a classic Eickhorn having the 2nd style fittings throughout. The pommel is in choice condition having fine dark patination throughout. The rim shows no hits and the top part of the pommel is still smooth and pristine. It has the traditional twelve standing oak leaves with alternating acorns each having good hand treatment. The crossguard below is the 2nd style eagle. This bird has perfect detail to his brow, eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. Additionally there are subtle traces of frosting still in the protected recessed areas. The ferrule is also the 2nd type exactly matching the oak leaves of the bands. A beautiful tangerine grip accents these black silvered fittings and this grip is in complete perfect condition. An outstanding hilt here. The scabbard is also the 2nd style and exactly matches the patination and condition of the hilt. This scabbard is straight throughout having perfect silvering and much frosting is evident in the protected areas around the bands and the throat. The bands have outstanding overlapping oak leaves. The throat is the thicker style used by this firm and it is retained by a center placed flatter head style screw in the reverse. The blade is as nice as the rest of the dagger. This blade is in bright mirror condition having all of its original graining intact as well as its needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with a 1935-41 Eickhorn squirrel trademark. The original brown leather blade washer is in place. A very fine example here in untouched condition. This would be a fine dagger to add to a collection if you do not wish to have to look for an upgrade.

    Untouched Mint. $1,095.00

70. AOD #26064C Army Officer Dagger Presented to Afrika Korps Panzer Commander Johann Mickl - PD Luneschloss

    This Army Officer's Dagger has all-silvered fittings and they are the generic “B” variety, being identical to the style I show in my Army book on Page 99. The pommel is the usual type we see with the “B” generic cross guard, being the style with threaded stem inside, and having 14 leaves running around its perimeter. The cross guard eagle is an extremely good-looking example, having noble head, excellent breast and wing feathering, fine detail to the wreath and a highly-vaulted swastika. The grip is a beautiful egg-yolk yellow type, being in perfect condition. There is a 42 cm portepee in the proper tie wrapped about the hilt. The scabbard is a standard generic variety being identical to Page 120. The blade of this example is in pristine, mint condition, having the standard sword-piercing-helmet, double ellipse trademark, used by the P.D. Lüneschlöss firm. However, all of this is of little consequence, as it is the presentation appearing between the scabbard bands on the reverse that is of astounding nature. It is interesting to note the engraver removed the pebbled surfaces of the paneled area between the bands so that the four-line engraving could be easily read. This engraved dedication is “UNSEREM KOMANDEUR/OBERST J.MICKL HERZLICHEN/GLÜCKWUNSCH ZUM RITTERKREUZ/DIE STOLZEN 155 er”. This dedication basically translates to “TO OUR COMMANDER COLONEL J. MICKL WITH HEARTFELT BEST WISHES ON THE KNIGHT’S CROSS AWARD FROM THE PROUD 155 er”. Oberst Mickl was one of Rommel’s Panzer commanders and was instrumental in Rommel’s fight against Tobruk in North Africa. He won the Knight’s Cross for his outstanding leadership, and as the Allies were soon to learn, Rommel and his Panzer generals were huge adversaries despite their smaller numbers. Mickl went on to win the oak leaves for operations in Russia on 6 Marz 1943. At that time, he was the commander of the 25th Panzer Greniedere regiment. He was later killed on 10 April 1945, while commanding the 392nd Croatian Infantry division. At that time, he had been promoted to General Leutnant and had been wounded five times. This dagger was owned by one of the great German Panzer commanders who, to this day, were responsible for the reputation which will live on through history of these fantastic trained troops. He was a career officer, having served in both wars. This is a grand opportunity to own a dagger in which a whole display could be built around. This dagger comes with a large dossier detailing Mickl’s career. It is a wonderful artifact and would make even the most advanced collectors in our community smile. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

    Mint Minus. $9,995.00

71. AOD #27179C Aristocrat's Personalized Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This beautiful Army Officer Dagger is a most exciting piece. It belonged to an aristocrat who may have been a Knights Cross winner as well as an Army General, but we will get to this in a minute. The dagger itself is a choice-conditioned example which rates mint throughout. The fittings on this dagger are the early 2nd style. The early 2nd style cross guard is slightly different from what I show in my Army book on Page 25, being a progression of the 1st style which is shown on Page 24. The cross guard itself depicts a choice eagle design with breast checkering, which is slightly finer than Page 25, but, yet not as fine as Page 24. This is the prime difference between these eagles. The eagle, though, is in fantastic condition and clutches a wreathed raised out swastika. Even the talons have been hand-enhanced on this bird. The pommel is a fine 2nd style type having 12 oak leaves around the perimeter. The ferrule is the 2nd type, being exactly like I show on Page 25. The grip of this example is a beautiful darker orange color and the tones are the same throughout. This grip is in totally perfect condition. Now we want to get to the engravings that present themselves on this choice dagger. At the pommel top, taking up almost the complete surface is the engraved family crest of this original owner. The crest is in a shield shape being split into four quadrants. Two of the four quadrants each depict the same scenes and are positioned opposite each other. At the ten o’clock and four o’clock quadrant are depicted what appears to be two powder horns. The backgrounds of these depictions have been nicely lined for a shaded effect. On the other two quadrants which would run from two o’clock to eight o’clock, there is a scene of a prancing stag with a good set of racks. The backgrounds here have a series of random pebbled designs to give them relief. It is quite rare to see a family crest on the top of a pommel. On the reverse of the cross guard is a beautifully engraved five-point crown. Beneath the crown are the letters “v.N-W.”. These initials and crown belong to the aristocratic family of “von Nostitz-Wallwitz”. Unfortunately, there is no first initial in this personalization, so it is difficult to determine which of the von Nostitz-Wallwitz family members owned this dagger. There has been research conducted which accompanies the dagger. The research shows five members of the von Nostitz-Wallwitz family who could have owned this piece. One of them was in the foreign service, so it probably would not be him. Two other younger members were both First Lieutenants and it is doubtful that the dagger belonged to either of these two. The two oldest members of the family “Eckhard von Nostitz-Wallwitz” and “Gustav Adolf von Nostitz-Wallwitz” were the two oldest and likely one of these was the owner of the dagger. Eckhard was a First Lieutenant in 1936 and went on in the war to be associated with a Panzer regiment. He was killed in Russia in 1943. Gustav Adolf, on the other hand, was a First Lieutenant in 1930 and became a Major in 1937. 1937 would most likely be the date that Eickhorn produced this 2nd style variation cross guard, so there is a good chance that when Gustav Adolf von Nostitz-Wallwitz achieved this rank, he purchased the dagger. After this, he became a Lieutenant Colonel with an artillery regiment in 1940 and in 1941, became a Panzer commander, winning the German Cross in gold. In 1942, he was in Russia and was involved with the Stalingrad fiasco. In 1944, he was with Panzer Artillery Regiment 89. At this time, he won the Knight’s Cross and was promoted to General Major. In 1945, he was killed on 31 May. So, there is a better than even chance here that this personalized dagger belonged to a Wehrmacht General and Knight’s Cross winner. It would be up to the next owner to conclusively prove this ownership. This is a very exciting piece, indeed. Getting to the rest of the description, the scabbard is a standard 2nd style Eickhorn example, having good pebbled surfaces. The scabbard shows just hints of frosting in the protected areas around the carrying bands and the throat area. The thicker throat is retained by a center placed screw in the reverse. The blade of this example is as nice as they come. It has a full mirror mint surface with 100% of the original graining. The needlelike tip is in place and this dagger blade easily rates in full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the 1935-41 squirrel design. The original small brown leather washer is in place protecting this fine blade. This is a grand opportunity to obtain an outstanding dagger. If the original owner was indeed the Knight’s Cross winner, this dagger could be worth far more than its advertised price. If he was not, it is still a fantastic piece which would be the highlight of most collections. It is very rare to find an Army dagger with this aristocratic family Wappen along with the crown and family name. Very rare offering here and guaranteed original dagger.

    Mint. $5,995.00

72. AOD #28553 Late Army Officer Dagger – C. Gustav Spitzer

    This Army Officer Dagger by Gustav Spitzer was purchased directly from the daughter of the Veteran that brought it home. The dagger is in the late nickel finish and it has not been touched nor has it been taken apart. It is what it is, and it has some interesting qualities about it for those of you out there that study these things and are “type” collecting army daggers. The hilt fittings are the generic “A” type with the exception that the pommel is not from this same late era. The pommel appears to be the type I show as “E” style on Page 115 of my Army book. This pommel is silver finished as opposed to nickel and it does have some lifting at the center area of the top as well as around the edges. It is a 12-leaf type and does show hand-rendering to the veins and to also the areas where there were casting flaws. But, at this late period, we have to think that any pommel would have done the trick. The pommel has never been off of the dagger and this is what came with it. The cross guard and ferrule are the typical later nickel style generic “A” variety. These fittings look very much like the ones shown on Page 89 of my Army book. They are in excellent condition throughout and have no flaws. The grip is an off-white plaster filled type. It gives a nice ivory look and is just slightly darker toned on the obverse than on the reverse. A good looking hilt here. The scabbard is also done in the nickel finish and it is straight throughout and in very fine, near mint condition. This scabbard looks to be the same as the one I show on Page 89, except that the screws are dome head on this piece and were flush mount on the book piece. At any rate, the bands appear the same, having excellent detail to the oak leaves and lots of hand-enhancing visible too. A very nice scabbard here. The blade of this example is installed with the reverse side upward. This blade is in full mint condition, having beautiful cross graining throughout and needlelike tip. The maker’s mark is the 2nd style trademark used by Spitzer. It is slightly smaller than the one I show on Page 60, but still has the same depiction. This trademark has a circle which encloses the prancing lion with flickering tongue and curved tail. Around the perimeter of the circle in block capital lettering is the name and location of the firm “C. GUSTAV SPITZER SOLINGEN”. It is also interesting to note that there are two newlike brown washers which separate the blade shoulders from the cross guard. This was probably the way pieces were made at this later period as the craftsmanship to fit them nicely may not have been there and this was an easy remedy. At any rate, these two washers are in place and have not been moved since the war. A good study here of an unaltered late period army officer’s dagger.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $695.00

73. AOD #28174 Army Officer Dagger with Early Oval Trademark - Carl Eickhorn

    This first style Carl Eickhorn Army Officer Dagger is the same as I show in my Army Book, on page 24. It has all-brass hilt fittings, as well as scabbard. The fittings have totally perfect silvering throughout. The pommel is the very early 14-leaf variety. Each of the leaves has hand enhancing, and at the areas where the casting flaws occurred, the leaves are virtually hand engraved. It is very rewarding to look at this kind of period art work! The pommel top shows a little bit of usage, and a few minor hits along the ridge, but the beautiful patination pretty much covers it. It still gives the viewer a small glimpse into this dagger’s history of wear. The crossguard is in choice condition, easily being as nice as the piece pictured in the book on page 24. The patination is also a coal black, and really gives the details of this bird a great look. The head, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath, and raised swastika are all finely detailed. The rest of the crossguard has a fine smooth surface. The ferrule is the early style, just like in the book piece. The grip is an outstanding pumpkin colored orange. It is really beautiful, having ribs that run downward from right to left. This grip is in perfect condition. It has one little period hit in the surface of the third rib up from the bottom on the reverse, but it barely shows, and again, is more of a record of this dagger’s history than any kind of a flaw. The scabbard is as straight as an arrow. It also has perfect silvering and a beautiful rich patination. It is rare to see one of these brass based scabbards in this condition, as the material is quite fragile. The pebbled patterns in the surfaces are still crisp, and on these early scabbards the pebbles per inch are much more intense than the later types. The bands are beveled, just like the book piece, and they have fine hand engraving evident throughout. The throat is a thicker variety, and it is so early that Eickhorn was still using two side screws to secure the throat. Eventually Eickhorn would go to the single reverse screw method of throat retainage. The blade of this piece is as nice as we could imagine. It has mirror-like surfaces, and all of its cross graining is still visible. The needle-like tip is there. This outstanding blade is the type that would have a tapered tang, and I’m sure the next purchaser would find this to be the case if he chooses to disassemble this dagger. To me, I would rather leave it just as it is. The reverse of the blade ricasso is etched with the early small oval trademark used from 1933 to 1935. These ovals trap the firm’s name and location, “Carl Eickhorn, Solingen”. Inside is a seated squirrel, having a serrated tail. The small style brown leather washer is in place. A truly great dagger here for the “type” collectors out there, or for someone wanting to add an early oval to a collection. These daggers are quite rare with this blade, and extremely rare in this fine condition.

    Mint. $1,495.00

74. AOD #27775 Double Etched Army Officer Dagger

    This Army Officer Dagger is the double etched variety that, if you can’t afford the Voos type, the unmarked blade variety is what you want. This is a classic example throughout and is of highest quality and choice condition. The fittings are early silver type and they are the generic “A” variety, the same as used by Voos. You can see these fittings on Page 132 of my Army book. The pommel has a fine upper area with good, crisp circumference around the top with no hits. The 12 standing oak leaves are all crisp, separated by upward pointing acorns. The backgrounds of the leaves have good patination, as does the upper portion of the pommel. The cross guard is the generic “a”, featuring a fine looking eagle with good, crisp definition to his brow, eye, downturned beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised mobile swastika. This bird is every bit as detailed as its counterpart shown on Page 78 of my Army book. The ferrule is the matching type and is also the same as Page 78. The grip of this example is an appealing lighter orange color on the obverse, fading just slightly on the reverse, but not much. As an added touch, there is some beautiful graining which appears in the lower rib sections of the obverse grip and runs up a little higher on the reverse grip. This graining gives the grip a look of ivory. It was caused by something natural though, as we don’t see it in most celluloid grips. This grip is in perfect condition throughout and has much appeal with this dagger. The scabbard is a good example, having excellent silvered surfaces throughout and also has fine pebbling throughout the panels. There are good looking carrying rings which have oak leaves running toward the rings rather than away. Sometimes we see this technique, and it is interesting to notice it when it occurs. The oak leaves are in choice condition throughout and have deep hand-done veining enhancement. The throat is a fairly thick variety and it is retained by two flathead style screws. These screws appear unturned, having a little bit of old cleaning polish still clinging to their sides. There are also signs of this old polish around the cross guard and pommel areas. People used to use a product called “glass wax” to clean things and quite often we see residue still left from this cleaner used years ago. This scabbard still is in near full mint condition and is straight as an arrow. The blade of this example is quite beautiful. It is of quality nickel plated construction and it is still mirror bright. The raised portions of the double etch are really spectacular because of their crispness. The frosting is also 100%, which adds to the fine creation of relief. The blade is laid out with a center panel on the obverse, having floral designs flanking it. The center panel features a raised out art-deco style eagle which shows no feathering and grasps a plain wreath with mobile swastika inside. The bird has sprigs of oak leaves under each wing. An absolutely beautiful design here, being identical to the blade etch I show on page 135 of my Army book. With this particular etch, the arrow ends the last panel but then there are two droplets which continue past the point. The reverse of the etch eliminates the center panel and is covered with the floral designs. This blade is in full mint condition and is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of even the most advanced collectors. There is no sign of any lifting of the nickeling here, which often we do see on these unmarked or Voos marked pieces. The blade has been protected by an in-place brown leather washer. The tang of this example is the style with the thicker type threads. I show this style tang in my Luftwaffe book on page 237. We only see this thicker style thread used on double-etch blades. The Luftwaffe blade with this style large thread also has the droplets after the point at the end of the etch. This is an outstanding textbook dagger of investment quality. If you have been looking for one that you don’t want to have to upgrade, this one should fill the bill.

    Mint Minus. $3,995.00

75. AOD #26779 Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This choice Army Officer Dagger is in an uncleaned state and remains in perfect condition throughout. The fittings are a very black tone from patination and there is also lots of frosting to be seen in the recessed areas. I recently purchased this dagger from a Detroit based Homeland Security officer. Chances are, he relieved a passenger of it. I don’t know, but it sure is a nice dagger. The second style fittings are the same as I show in my Army book on Pages 25-27. The pommel is in good condition, showing just the slightest signs of usage around the rim, but, overall, it still has good, crisp oak leaves and acorns. The cross guard is the second style, having nice detail to the eagle’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised out swastika. The ferrule is also the same as Page 25. The grip is one of those egg-yolk yellow types. It is slightly lighter at the top area and also the bottom area, as, at one time this grip must have sported a portepee. There is also some nice grains which appear in the surfaces if you really look closely. A nice hilt here! The scabbard is also the second style and it is nice and black throughout. The area which is protected by the in-place cross guard still has all of its frosting, providing a fine contrast with the coal black patination. The second style carrying bands show little to no usage and good, crisp oak leaves. The throat is the thicker type and it is retained by a single placed, flatter head screw in the center reverse. This scabbard is easily in full mint condition. The blade of this example is as nice as they come. It is mirror bright, has its needlelike tip and has all of its cross graining. This choice, mint blade is darkly etched on the reverse ricasso with the 1935-41 squirrel. The animal is holding a downward pointing sword. The smaller style brown leather washer is in place. This is a fine, uncleaned, near full mint example.

    Uncleaned Near Mint. $1,195.00

76. AOD #26755 Untouched Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This untouched Army Officer Dagger is patinated all black throughout the second style fittings and scabbard. These fittings have a very pleasing sheen to their surfaces and have much appeal. The pommel cap shows only the most modest signs of usage ad the blackness extends throughout the top smooth areas. The standing oak leaves with alternating acorns are in choice, newlike condition, but hard to make out they are so dark! The cross guard is a most beautiful second style, being identical to Page 25 of my Army book. The eagle’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika are still crisp. There is a tiny “x” mark made on the reverse cross guard just to the left of center. It is a scratch marking and most likely was put there by the original owner as the method he used to identify his dagger when it got checked, prior to seeing the Führer! The ferrule is also a beauty, being identical to Page 25. Setting these nice dark patinated fittings off, though, is a beautiful yellow candy stick-like grip. The yellow has just a little bit of darker tones in the bottom of the ribs which really gives the downward turning grip a striped look. This grip is in totally perfect condition and is the same even tone throughout. A most beautiful hilt here! The scabbard of this example is also a textbook second style Eickhorn. It is easily in mint condition and is deeply toned. The scabbard bands are nice and crisp and are slightly darker than the pebbled panels. The throat is the thicker type, having just a slight amount of frosting evident. This throat is retained by a center placed, flatter head screw in the reverse. The blade is just as nice as the outside of the dagger. It is mirror bright, has its needlelike tip and still has 100% cross graining. This blade is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the 1935-41 squirrel. The rodent holds a downward pointing sword. The leather washer is in place, being slightly larger than we usually see them, but the pressure from positioning on the throat easily has outlined this washer as original to this piece. An extremely nice, uncleaned, untouched example.

    Uncleaned. Mint. $1,195.00

77. AOD #26999 Army Officer Dagger - F.W. Höller

    This Army example has a great look about it, as do most Höller pieces. I personally think that their cross guard is the best looking of all the different designs. This example is the same as I show on Page 33 of my Army book. The pommel has exceptional silvered finish, having a good, black patination. At the smooth surface of the top it is also possible to see the frosting below the blackening. The 12 standing oak leaves are in choice condition, also having good black background. The cross guard eagle is very regal, looking to the viewer’s left and having great detail to his beak, brow, eye, breast feathering, wing feathering, claws, wreath and raised out swastika. Like the pommel, this cross guard also is loaded with frosting - in fact, it covers the entire reverse area. Beautiful fittings here! The grip is a fine example being a lighter tangerine color throughout. It is in totally perfect condition. This dagger is equipped with what appears to be its original officer’s portepee. This portepee is in the 1st style tie and has just a tad of fray where the tie comes out of the knot, but otherwise is choice, perfect condition. In fact, if anything, this knot really talks to you of the times it swung at the side of its Officer / owner. The scabbard exactly matches the fine silvering of the hilt fittings. This scabbard also has lots of frosting clinging on the edges of both sides. There is a minor flaw at the middle of the lower portion where it looks as though a dent was removed at one time. This looks like a professional job and may have been sent back to Solingen to have been done. At any rate, you have to look hard to see the flaw at all. The scabbard still remains in near mint condition. The scabbard bands are the same as the book piece on Page 33, having good detail. The throat is a thicker variety and it is retained by one center placed headless flush mount screw. The blade of this piece is as nice as they come. It has all of its cross graining and has a mirror finish with needlelike tip. This blade is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the double oval trademark. The trademark traps the firm’s name and location “F.W. Höller Solingen”. Inside is a thermometer having too many digits to ever count. The newlike large style brown leather blade buffer is in place. A very fine Höller dagger here. This dagger is in exceptional condition.

    Near Mint. $995.00

78. AOD #26982 Army Officer Dagger - Alcoso

    This Army Officer Dagger does not look to have been cleaned since the war. It has a fine, dark patination throughout and also is a classic textbook Alcoso dagger. The cross guard is identical to the example I show in my Army book on Page 21. This cross guard features a good looking eagle still having some detail remaining to his head and breast feathering. The detail is about the same as is shown in the book piece. The details are good to the open wing feathering, wreath and raised out swastika. The ferrule is also the same as the book piece. The pommel is the typical flared outward type which is well known by this producer. The standing oak leaves which run around the circumference are all highly detailed with acorns separating each of these 12 leaves. The rim of the pommel has little to no wear and the top is also in good condition. The grip of this example is a egg-yolk yellow color. It is in totally perfect condition and looks nice against the darkness of the fittings. The scabbard is also a classic Alcoso, being the same as is shown on Page 22, upper. This scabbard is straight as an arrow and has good pebbled panels. The bands are well-detailed and the throat is retained by two flathead side screws having the small bore dimensions. The blade of this piece is as nice as they come. It is mirror bright and has 100% of the original cross graining. The tip still remains needlelike. The reverse ricasso is etched with the trademark used from 1937-39. This trademark consists of the scales having the firm’s initials “ACS” interspersed. Above the scales in an arch shape, in block lettering, is the firm’s name “Alcoso”. Below this is the location town of “Solingen”. The large style leather blade buffer is in place. A fine dagger here.

    Near Mint. $895.00

79. AOD #27175C Early Army Officer Dagger

    This early Army Officer Dagger, despite the fact that it does not have a maker mark on its blade, has all E. Pack fittings. These fittings are the same as I show in my Army book on Page 55. The fittings of this example have all of their silvering and have taken on a fine, dark patination throughout. The pommel cap is a beauty, being one of the types with 14-leaf configuration. Each and every leaf has hand accenting to the veins. Additionally, the backgrounds behind the leaves have all been hand-pebbled with extra attention given to the areas where the casting flaw marks would have occurred. The cross guard features a tremendous noble eagle with grand detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised out swastika. He looks identical to the book piece, but perhaps in just slightly better condition. A beautiful cross guard here! The ferrule is also the same as the book piece. The grip is a most attractive deeper orange color being just slightly lighter on the reverse. This fine grip is in totally perfect condition. The scabbard is also a beautiful example. It is straight throughout and has 100% silvering with very fine pebbled surfaces. It is an early style scabbard. The bands have outstanding detail to the oak leaves. This scabbard is fitted with a thinner style throat and has a center placed flush mount headless screw in the reverse. This scabbard is easily in mint condition. The blade itself is a mirror bright example of highest quality. This blade still retains its needlelike tip and has a slightly wider center segment than we usually see. It is a very good looking example, being in mint condition. The original small style leather blade buffer is in place and has done a fine job protecting this blade over the years. A very fine dagger here in top-notch condition.

    Mint. $995.00

80. AOD #27068 Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger has the 1st Style cross guard used by Carl Eickhorn along with the 1st style ferrule. The pommel and scabbard are the 2nd style. Both of these types can be seen in my Army book on Pages 24 and 25. These fittings throughout are of absolute highest quality and are in extremely choice condition. All of the fittings to include the pommel, ferrule, cross guard and scabbard have matching silver frosting seen beneath the patination. The cross guard is identical to the one I show on Page 24. It has a good noble head to the eagle, showing no wear at all. The chest breast feathering is also nicely done with close checkered cuts. The wing feathering is outstanding, as is the detail to the eagle’s claws, wreath and raised swastika. The silvering is absolutely perfect throughout this cross guard. The pommel is the style with 12 oak leaves and alternating acorns which run throughout the perimeter. The rim shows no use at all and the upper portion is in nice condition, having frosting around the lower areas. The outside of this pommel also has frosting throughout the neck section. The ferrule also nicely matches. The grip of this example is in perfect condition and it is a nice grapefruit yellow color. This is a sign that the dagger has been put away somewhere all these years, not exposed to light. This would also account for the fine condition of the silvering. The choice scabbard is totally straight and still has crisp pebbling. There is frosting throughout the silvering, but it is particularly noticeable around the throat area and the edge areas and especially around the bands where the frosting is protected. The throat is not a real thick variety; a good indication this is an early made 2nd style scabbard. The throat is retained by a single placed flatter head screw in the center reverse. An outstanding scabbard here. The blade of this example is as nice as you will see. It is still factory fresh, having its needlelike tip and easily 100% of the cross graining is visible in the surfaces. This mirror blade is etched on the reverse with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The trademark is nice and dark also. The small size leather blade washer is in place. An outstanding, untouched dagger here for those out there who demand the best. A very fine Eickhorn, having everything we all like about this producer’s product.

    Uncleaned Mint Minus. $1,195.00

81. AOD #25531 Army Officer Dagger with "Over-The-Shoulder" Logo - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army example is a classic 2nd Style Eickhorn. The fittings throughout retain 100% silvering to also include the scabbard. There is much frosting which is spread throughout all of the fittings and scabbard. The lacquer still remains throughout this dagger and there are some areas where the silver has patinated due to air getting underneath the lacquer. This dagger has what we call the “palomino effect” in that it has frosted areas and darkened areas evenly spread throughout. This dagger is completely untouched, recently coming out of the woodwork. I personally purchased it from the son of the New Jersey Veteran who brought this piece home. The hilt fittings are identical to the examples I show on Pages 25 and 26 in my Army book. The pommel top has a complete, crisp rim with no carrying signs anywhere. The top surfaces are also in perfect condition having almost a half-moon look to the way the frosting and patination are placed. The standing oak leaves are also crisp throughout and the collar area beneath is frosted. The ferrule is also the Second style, the same as Page 25. It, too, is frosted. The cross guard is as nice as you will see, featuring the noble Paul Casberg developed bird. This bird has perfect detail to his brow, eye, beak and mouth areas. The same holds true to the breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. You will not see a better cross guard, and this guard is also graced with much frosted area. The grip is a egg yolk yellow type which is darker in the ribbed areas and also has a graining effect in the rib depths. A great looking grip here, which is easily in perfect condition. The Second style scabbard could not be any better. It has crisp, pebbled panels and outstanding overlapping oak leaves within the carrying bands. The edges of the scabbard both are nearly 100% frosted. The thicker throat is retained by one flatter style screw in the reverse. Instead of exactly in the center, it is slightly placed to the left which could be an indication of later construction. We know many of the Eickhorn employees were drafted into the war at the time this piece was made. As further proof of this, the blade has the seldom-seen mark of an over-the-shoulder squirrel. This logo was not used until 1941, and it is rarely seen on an Army dagger. Unfortunately, although the blade is still bright and does have the cross graining, there are a few rough spots in the finish. I have not tried to clean them off. It does look like a lot of these spots would come out, as they are still on the surface. Some of it, though, surely has penetrated the surface, marring this blade. It is still a good example, however, having needlelike tip and still retaining most of its brightness. This over-the-shoulder blade is in Excellent Plus condition. The original, new-like tan leather blade buffer is in place. This is a great dagger for the “type” collectors out there. Once again, it is a rarely seen variation and is Mint other than the few spots on the blade. Priced accordingly.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $995.00

82. AOD #26467 Army Officer Dagger - Umarked Alcoso

    Despite the fact that the blade is unmarked on this Army Officer Dagger, all fittings and scabbard are textbook Alcoso. The silvering throughout the hilt fittings is excellent. The pommel cap is the style which is flared outward, typical of this producer. This pommel cap has a few wearing signs along the rim edges, but it is not bad. The standing oak leaves are nicely done and have fine, pronounced veins and acorns in between. The cross guard is the third type used and is the most often seen. This cross guard appears on Page 21 of my Army book. As is often seen with this guard, most of the details are worn from the head of the eagle. The breast feathering, though, still remains as does the wing feathering, wreath and raised swastika. The ferrule nicely matches and is identical to the book example. The scabbard is the same as is shown on Page 121, far left. It is the thinner style used by this firm. The pebble pattern is still very crisp throughout the panels. The overlapping oak leaves are well done and have good hand-enhancing. The throat is retained by two flatter head screws, the type of which have a very small bore. The blade of this piece is nice and bright. It has all of its cross graining and would be in full mint condition were there not just a little bit of a ripple sign at the very tip. Other than this, though, this is a very attractive unmarked blade. The blade is protected by a large size leather washer. This dagger is absolutely all Alcoso and probably was produced for a specific run for the German army, thus the no maker mark.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $695.00

83. AOD #26343 Early Army Officer Dagger - Unmarked WKC

    This Early Army Officer Dagger, although having an unmarked blade, is definitely the work of the W.K.C. firm. The dagger has never been cleaned and has an all-black patination throughout. In fact, the dagger looks like it just came out of someone’s closet or cellar. The pommel is the early style, being a brass base type. It has fourteen oak leaves which run around its perimeter and there is lots of hand-enhancing to be seen on the veins of these leaves. The rim and upper surfaces of the pommel show some mild usage, but no serious defects. The cross guard is the same as the example I show on Page 65 of my Army book. This cross guard features a good-looking bird with very close-grained breast feathering. The detail is still there throughout his head, breast, wing feathering, wreath and raised out swastika. The silvering is also completely intact throughout this cross guard. The grip is one of the slant types. It looks very similar to the grip I show on the W.K.C. dagger on Page 64, right, or 63, right. This beautiful slant grip is a deep orange pumpkin color and could not look better. It is in totally perfect condition. Gracing the hilt of this nice piece, is the original portepee. This portepee is completely set in place in the Army tie. It shows some usage signs, but no fraying. The aluminum at the lower bullion knot is nice and tight and of good quality throughout. Nice portepee here! This is a very attractive early hilt! The scabbard is the same as I show on Page 63, right. This scabbard, though, has never been cleaned and therefore is quite dark. It has excellent silvering and finely grained stippled panels. The oak leaves on the scabbard bands also show hand-enhancing. The throat is at the thicker style and, like the scabbard on Page 64, right, it has two screws which retain it. Other than a tiny pinch at the very bottom of the chape, the scabbard appears in perfect condition. The blade of this piece is also a beauty. It is of high quality throughout and has choice 100% of the cross grain remaining. It has needlelike tip and great, bright finish. This blade is mint. It has the original tan colored new-like large style leather washer in place. A really great Early dagger here, despite the unmarked status.

    Untouched. Excellent Plus, Plus. $795.00

84. AOD #26084C Personalized Army Officer Dagger - SMF

    The SMF firm produced a lot of Luftwaffe etched weapons, but their Army production was very small. No one seems to know the reason for this, but it is a fact, and most collections are missing this particular brand. This dagger is identical to the example I show on page 56 and 57. It has some very nice extra work, which has been rendered throughout the crossguard bird, but I’ll get to that in a minute. The pommel is the early brass variety, having fine oak leaves running around the perimeter. There are 14 of them, and many of them show hand enhancing. The silvering is just beginning to thin a little over the upper areas, but at the lower points the silvering is fine. This pommel top also shows some mild usage. The crossguard bird is the same as page 57, with the exception, the tops of the wings (where they border) have hand done feathering. This is a nice touch, and gives a deluxe look to the bird. The unique bird has a very pointy beak, and the details to his head, cross-checkered breast, wing feathering, wreath, and raised swastika are still excellent. The reverse has been professionally engraved with the original owner’s surname. Unfortunately, it is quite a common name negating any research on this officer. It is, “Müller”. The lettering is the Gothic type, and is beautifully rendered. The grip is a pretty orange popsicle color. It is the early “slant” type, which we seldom see. The grip is nearly perfect on the obverse, having a hairliner, which runs down from the top along the right edge, and a little bit into the 4th and 5th rib. This hairliner is hardly noticeable, however. There is also a small one at the lower right edge, down by the ferrule. But from the obverse, none of this shows. The scabbard is also a textbook SMF type, being the same as page 56 and 57. The scabbard is straight throughout, but does have some mild age in the surfaces. The silvering is showing some wear, particularly along the edges. The oak leaf bands have good hand rendering throughout. The throat is retained by two flush-mount headless screws. The blade of this example is still mostly bright. It shows a little bit of smudge in the surfaces, which someone has mostly removed a while ago. The needle-like tip is still there, and all-in-all, the blade grades at about excellent plus. The reverse is marked with the well known seated king trademark. The king holds a sword pointing upwards, while he sits on the initials of the firm, “SMF”. Below, in an arch shape, is the location town of, “Solingen”. The large style leather washer is in place. A pretty nice example here, of a rarely seen Army type, and the personalization also makes it nice.

    Excellent, Plus. $995.00 (#120611)

85. AOD #26079C PERSONALIZED Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This good looking Army Officer Dagger example has the early style hilt fittings, all having good silvering throughout. These fittings are the same as I show on page 24 of my Army book. The pommel cap is the style having 14 leaf depiction. Each and every leaf has good hand enhanced veins throughout. The pommel top shows some usage around the edges, and a few taps into the surfaces, but if anything, it gives it a sense of realism. The crossguard is in perfect condition. It is the same as page 24. It has outstanding detail to the early bird head, close checkered breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath, and raised-out swastika. The reverse of the crossguard is nice and smooth, and new-like, having a fine patina finish. The grip still has a nice yellow look to it. It has a couple of lighter spots, where it has been protected by the in-place portepee. There are a couple of hairliners at the top right area, and also the reverse center area, but they are not threatening and are very small. The ferrule is the early type, the same as shown on page 24. The portepee is an aluminum 42cm variety, having just a little bit of slight fray, but hardly any at all. It is the thicker cord style, and is still in the Army tie. The scabbard of this example does not appear to be an Eickhorn type to me, but rather it is the Robert Klaas version, as it has the well-known asterisk carved into the ends of the bands. These bands really look neat, as they have well veined oak leaves, but the plating has worn from them, exposing the brass base underneath. It contrasts nicely with the silvering of the scabbard. The scabbard is nice and straight throughout, having a fine pebbled finish. The throat is the thin type, and it is retained by two flush-mount headless screws, however, one screw is missing on the right. (If you want us to put one in for you, please let us know, and we will do so for a small fee.) This Robert Klaas scabbard is similar to the ones I show on page 48. The blade is a mirror-bright example, having nice needle-like tip, and fine crossgraining in its surfaces. There are a couple of very tiny smudges in the surface, but they are not enough to keep it from its full mint rating, and I’m sure these would clean out with minor work. Scratched into the center segment of the blade obverse, is apparently the owner’s name and his original profession. It is engraved, “Otto Kahle Waffenmeister”. Apparently, Herr Kahle was a weapons maker, prior to being drafted into the Army. The scratching is very nicely done, but not particularly professional, but certainly neat and precise, considering the hardness of these blades. The reverse of the blade is etched with the 1935 through 1941, squirrel trademark. The small leather washer is in place. A fine example here, with some research possibilities.

    Near Mint. $1,295.00

86. AOD #26090C Uncleaned Army Officer Dagger

    This outstanding Army Officer Dagger has choice early silvered finish, which does not appear to have been cleaned since the war. The hilt and scabbard have developed a fine dark even patination. The hilt fittings are the generic “B” type, and are identical to the ones I show on page 99, in my Army book. The pommel cap is the style having 14 oak leaves around the perimeter, and the interior is the threaded-stem variety. The oak leaves have outstanding definition throughout. The crossguard portrays the mobile generic “B” bird, exactly like the book piece. The details to this bird are outstanding to his head, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath, and raised-out swastika. Beautiful hilt fittings here! The ferrule is the same as the book example. The grip is still the original nice lemon-yellow color. It has hardly experienced toning at all. It would be in perfect condition, except for a hairliner at the top obverse, and also at the reverse. They are nothing, however, and are mostly covered by the in-place 42cm portepee. This portepee is still in fine condition, remaining in its original tie. There is no fraying, and this knot looks very good, being the thinner cord variety. The scabbard is the same as the one I show on page 99. The pebble panels are still crisp, and the bands are outstanding, showing good handwork to the oak leafing. This mint conditioned, nicely toned scabbard is a pleasure to gaze upon. The throat is the thinner variety, and it is in a natural metal tone. This throat is retained by two domehead side screws, which are unturned. The unmarked blade is as nice as you will ever see. It is mirror bright, having beautiful needle-like tip, and full factory pristine graining. A mint conditioned example here! This blade has been protected by an in-place, larger style leather blade washer. A very nice, high-quality, dagger here.

    Mint, Minus. $795.00

87. AOD #27336 Army Officer Dagger - Richard Herder

    This is a classic wartime produced Richard Herder dagger. It is identical to the example I show in my Army book on Page 31. This example is textbook in every way. The hilt fittings are the late wartime nickel plated type. They are the generic “b” variety, being identical to the cross guard I show in full length on Page 100. The pommel is in good condition having intact plating throughout. It has one wearing hit on the rim edge, but it is nothing. This is the 14-leaf variety pommel that we normally see with the generic “b” cross guard. It is a style that has the threaded separate stem in the center inner area. The ferrule nicely matches the plating and texture of the pommel. The generic “b” cross guard is as nice as the book example. There is some minor age evident under the plating of both of these fittings, but this is almost a normal sight on these late-made fittings. The details are all there to the mobile bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised mobile swastika. Contrasting with these nickel fittings is a fine dark orange grip. This grip is as orange as a pumpkin on the obverse, turning slightly lighter to that of an orange fruit on the reverse. This grip is in totally perfect condition and really looks great. The straight scabbard is the generic variety, being identical to the one shown on Page 31. The late nickel plating exactly matches that of the hilt. The pebble pattern is still nice and crisp. These scabbards were the ones that the Spanish copied exactly on the army daggers made as reproductions in the 1970s. The bands on this example are in excellent condition; the upper one retaining all of the plating while the lower one has most of the nickel plating gone and is down to the gray metal. The detail, though, is still all there and this is something we see quite a bit on late produced pieces. The blade of this example is nice and bright and has all of its graining. This blade still has its needlelike tip and is in mirror bright, mint condition. The reverse has the double oval trademark, the same as is shown on Page 31. The ovals trap the firm’s name and location “Rich.Abr.Herder Solingen”. Inside is the diamond shaped logo used by this producer. The brown leather washer is the large type and it has a pebbled finish. A nice example of a late-produced, hard to find maker.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $795.00

88. AOD #27835 Wartime Army Officer Dagger

    This Army Officer was built during wartime and thus, has the nickel plated generic “a” fittings. These fittings are the same as I show on Page 87 of my Army book. The pommel has excellent detail throughout the standing leaves and the perimeter shows little carrying wear. The cross guard is a generic “a” variety, the same as Page 87. It has good plating throughout the obverse, with just a hint of age on the reverse, but nothing that wouldn’t come out. The ferrule nicely matches the hilt parts. The grip on this example is a solid off-white type which does not appear to be the plaster filled variety, as it looks very solid from the outside. This is a very fine grip, being in perfect condition showing some signs of age, fading and lightening in the finish. The generic scabbard is the same as the pictured example. This scabbard has perfect nickel finish with the traditional generic style carrying bands. The scabbard is in a full mint state. The throat is a thinner type being retained by a headless, flush mount screw in the reverse. The unmarked blade is as nice as you will see. It has mirror finish with 100% of the original cross graining. It is nicely formed and has fine, needlelike tip. This blade is in full mint condition. The washer is a lighter tan color and appears newlike. This dagger has never been apart. It was recently purchased from a gun dealer who found it in with a collection he purchased. This is a nice, good quality wartime piece.

    Mint Minus. $795.00

89. AOD #27830 Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger has all 2nd style Eickhorn fittings and scabbard, being the same as I show on Page 25 of my Army book. The pommel and cross guard are outstanding. The pommel still has the original frosted finish at the upper top area and there are no hits around the circumference. The standing oak leaves are in excellent condition, having black backgrounds. The cross guard also has choice silvering. There is a little residue from the old “glass wax” polish that was used by our mothers to clean windows and silver. This residue is throughout the recesses of the eagle as well as the under qullion areas, but it could be cleaned out easily enough if someone wanted to do it. I personally think it gives some nice character to the dagger. The ferrule is also nice and dark, being the same as Page 25. The grip, though, really sets this dagger off. The obverse is an extremely deep pumpkin color. It has very rich tones to it, being just the slightest bit lighter at the top and bottom where, apparently, there was a portepee worn with this example. The reverse is just a slightly lighter color orange but still a good, deep tone. The scabbard is straight throughout, having excellent pebbled finish. The scabbard bands have the overlapping oak leaf configuration. This straight scabbard is in mint condition, having patination matching the hilt fittings. The thicker style throat is retained by a center placed flathead style screw. The blade of this example, when I acquired it from the son of a Veteran, had lots of old, dried up grease on the surfaces. At first, I thought the blade was in mint condition, and it is all the way down to the tip area, but, underneath the old, hardened scum, there was some deterioration to the blade surfaces. These look as though they were water droplets or some type of moisture. Unfortunately, it spoiled the blade a little, but, still, 85% of the blade is in perfect, mint condition, being mirror bright and having all of the graining. The needlelike tip is also still there. The reverse ricasso is dark etched with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. This blade is protected by a small style leather washer. A nice Eickhorn army dagger here, not being perfect but it is priced accordingly.

    Plus. $895.00

90. AOD #25745 Army Officer Dagger

    This Army Officer Dagger dagger is in nice condition, having very fine silvered fittings. It features the generic "A" style fittings and these are the same as I show on Page 78 of my Army book. The pommel and cross guard are deeply patinated and perfectly match. This pommel has almost no wearing signs to the upper surfaces and has good detail to the standing oak leaves. The cross guard is an outstanding example, having perfect silvering The ferrule is the same as is shown on Page 78 and has matching patination. The grip of this example is a pleasing yellow color, being exactly like that of a grapefruit. The tones are even colored throughout the obverse and reverse and this grip is in perfect condition. The scabbard is one of the generic types also. This scabbard has perfect silvering and nicely matches the patination of the hilt fittings. It is straight throughout and has crisp, pebbled panels. The bands are particularly nice, having outstanding hand-enhancing to the oak leaves. This hand-enhancing is very well done and extremely noticeable. The silvering to this scabbard is in mint condition. The throat is retained by a single flush mount, center placed screw in the obverse. (Sometimes we see period obverse mounted screws on later scabbards.) A nice scabbard here! The blade is a fine, bright example, having all of the original cross graining. This blade is about as nice as you will see and it is in mint condition. It has been protected by an in-place large style leather washer. A fine dagger here.

    Uncleaned, Mint Minus. $695.00

91. AOD #25766 Army Officer Dagger with "High Lift" Crossguard - Alcoso

    This Army Officer Dagger is the desirable "High Lift" guard style. It is identical to the example I show on Page 22 of my Army book. The fittings throughout this piece reflect 100% silvering and really look good. The pommel is the typical flared style used by this firm. The upper areas of the cap show little usage. The sides reflect the standing oak leaves and acorns in relief. Each has deep accent veining. The cross guard features the bird with the upper wing area vaulted outward. It gives the look that the bird is about ready to take off from its position guarding the cross guard. This bird has excellent detail remaining to his head, breast feathering and open-wing feathering. The wreath shows a little bit of wear and the swastika is okay. The bird is identical to the depiction shown on Page 22. The ferrule also matches the photograph. This dagger is equipped with an off-white grip. The grip is in perfect condition throughout and is the type which is plaster-filled. The scabbard is nice and straight with the exception of a tiny stone type ding near the bottom. It is very minor, however. The silvering is perfect throughout the scabbard. The bands are the same as is shown on the piece on Page 22. The thinner style throat is retained by a reverse screw. There is no groove in the reverse screw as apparently it was removed when the factory originally fitted the dagger to this scabbard. The blade is nice and bright throughout, having a needellike tip. It also has all of the cross graining. There are a couple of small scars on the center blade edge where the runners were pressed up against the blade. Other than this, the blade is in full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the sideways style trademark. This was the last trademark used by this company. It features a set of scales with the firm's initials interspersed, "AWS". To the right of the scales is the firm's name written in script "Alcoso" over "Solingen". A large style leather washer is in place. A nice example here of a "High Lift" dagger.

    Excellent Plus, Plus. $795.00

92. AOD #23491 Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This early Army Officer Dagger is of initial production, the fittings and scabbard being of brass base silver-plated finish. The silvering still remains perfect throughout this piece and, in fact, there is even some frosting remnants here and there around the crossguard. The beautiful pommel shows a little bit of true wear time, but not much. It is the early fourteen-leaf type identical to the example I show in my Army Book on page 61. This choice pommel is nicely patinated and has hand-enhancement to each and every one of the oak leaves. The oak leaves which fall along the two casting flawed areas are both works of art. The plain areas above the leaves have been hand peened. A great pommel here! The patination exactly matches that of the crossguard and the scabbard. This crossguard reflects the initial eagle motif used by this prestigious company. It is identical to page 61 having all details to the intricate breast feathering, eye, beak and head areas of the bird. The vaulted swastika looks great within the hand rendered wreath. The crossguard silvering is 100% and has the initials of its original owner lightly scratched into the reverse, "WD". The fine grip is a deep pumpkin orange type being in perfect condition. This beautiful deeply toned grip is just the slightest bit lighter on the reverse. There is an original 42 cms aluminum portepee which looks like it has always been with this piece. It is in the Army tie and other than just a little fraying where the cording comes out above the left crossguard arm, it is perfect. The scabbard is nice and straight throughout showing just the slightest of usage signs. Given that it is a brass-based type, though, it is remarkable it has survived in this fine of a condition all these years. This choice scabbard is the same as the one I show on page 61. It has very fine pebbling which is different from the later vintages. The throat is retained by two flathead screws as WKC did in the beginning. (Later they went to just one.) The bands also reflect handwork to the oak leafing. A great scabbard here! The blade is the best you will see. This early blade has mirror bright surface and easily 100% crossgraining. It retains its needlelike tip and is mint. The reverse ricasso is deeply etched with the knighthead over the firm's initials and location, "WKC Solingen". The original large style brown leather washer is in place protecting this great artifact. A very choice early WKC and perfect for the Army type collectors out there.

    Near Mint. $895.00

93. AOD #27181C Army Officer Dagger - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger is in top condition throughout and is a textbook example. The dagger displays the 2nd style hilt fittings and scabbard, being the same as I show in my Army book on Pages 25 and 26. The pommel shows no hits along the rim and the upper area is also still in choice condition with full silvering. It features the 12 standing oak leaves which run around its perimeter. The cross guard is a beauty throughout. The silvering is perfect and there are frosting signs which are clinging about the ferrule area and also in the recesses protected by the swirls of the quillon arms. The cross guard eagle is in choice, crisp condition with fine detail to the brow, eye, beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised out swastika. The ferrule features the crossed oak leaves identical to Page 25. This dagger is equipped with an appealing grip, being the color of a butterscotch candy stick. This grip has slightly deeper tones in the recesses of the ribs, giving this candy-like look to the surfaces. A very fine hilt here which has a deep patination across its surfaces. The 2nd style scabbard matches the patination exactly. The silvering is totally perfect throughout and this scabbard also has frosting apparent around the edges, around the throat and also on the areas protected by the bands. The bands have excellent detail to the overlapping oak leaves. The thicker throat is retained by one center placed, flathead screw. A fine, mint scabbard here. The blade is also as nice as you will ever see. It is mirror bright, having fine needlelike tip. This blade has 100% of the original cross graining still in its surfaces. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the trademark used from 1935-41. It features the squirrel holding a downward pointing sword. The small style leather washer is in place. If you are looking to buy just one army dagger, this one should fill the bill. It really has everything!

    Mint. $1,295.00

94. AOD #26158 Army Officer Dagger - WKC

    This Army Officer Dagger is a fine example, being nicely patinated throughout and almost looking in unissued condition. There is lots of frosting still throughout the scabbard and hilt fittings. This is a classic WKC piece and is identical to the examples I show on Pages 64 and 66. The pommel rim is still crisp, and the upper part is in full silvered condition, having about 80% frosting. The standing oak leaves are crisp, having good black backgrounds. There is frosting evident throughout the pedestal of this pommel. The cross guard is the hatchet beak eagle, exactly as per Page 66. This bird has newlike, crisp detail to its head, eye, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and raised swastika. There is about 70% of the frosted finish remaining throughout this bard. The ferrule is the same as Page 66 and this also has frosting. The grip is a pleasing lighter orange color. There is a tiny sliver that is missing from the upper obverse segment, but it is nothing and is hardly noticeable. A portapee would easily cover this minor flaw. Other than this, the grip is in completely perfect condition. The scabbard is a textbook WKC. This scabbard has at least 95% of the original frosted look in the silvering. The panels are perfect and the bands are nicely detailed. As is the case with WKC scabbards, the throat is retained by a single flatter head style screw which is positioned on the right side. The blade is as nice as you will see. It has a mirror finish with needlelike tip and 100% cross graining. This blade is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso features the etched knight’s head logo beneath which is the firm’s initials and location, “WKC Solingen”. The larger size bound leather washer is in place. A fine dagger here for someone looking for something untouched and in the best of condition.

    Mint. $995.00

95. AOD #26171 Army Officer Dagger - E. & F. Hörster

    This Hörster Armr Officer Dagger is fitted with the classic mounts being the same as those seen on Pages 40-43 of my Army book. As was often the case with Hörster, the silvering is not as good as it could be and there are areas throughout the mounts and scabbard where there is some gray metal showing where the plating wore off. The pommel has approximately 40% to 50% of the original plating. The upper area has a crisp rim, but it is mostly gray on the top portion. There is also some gray appearing on the raised lines around the pedestal. The oak leaves have most of the silvering and still look good. The cross guard has the style which very much resembles the Eickhorn type. It is not though, it is the Hörster, and it is the same as Page 43, upper. This eagle has outstanding detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and swastika. The silvering is probably about 80% on this cross guard, beginning to thin on some of the higher areas. The ferrule is the same as Page 42 and this does have all silvering. The grip is a fine, off-white example. It has a nice appearance to it, having the wider style segments. Taking a look inside, it is the plaster-filled type but the outside celluloid has a thicker coating than is normally seen. A fine looking hilt here! The scabbard is the generic variety and is identical to Page 120. Apparently, Hörster did the silvering on this example, too, as there is a little bit of gray metal which shows through on the high points of the oak leaf bands. The scabbard shell, though, still is in perfect condition throughout, having good silvering. The thin throat is held by one reverse placed center-positioned screw. The blade is a beauty. It is nice and bright and has all of its cross graining and is complete with a needlelike tip. This blade is mint. The reverse ricasso is etched with the familiar logo of this company. It consists of two ovaled circles which contain the firm’s name and location “E & F Hörster Solingen”. Inside is a large “h” letter with smaller “h” and “s” letters being pierced with a sword. The leather blade washer is in place. A fine textbook Hörster dagger here. These are not all that common to find.

    Excellent Plus. $750.00

96. AOD #26092C Army Officer Dagger with Glass Grip - Carl Eickhorn

    This Army Officer Dagger is a traditional Eickhorn piece, having the Second style fittings. They are the same as is shown on Pages 25 and 26 of my Army book. The pommel is in outstanding condition, having good, crisp rim and little use shown at the top area. The standing oak leaves which surround the pommel are crisp and have excellent black backgrounding. The Second style cross guard is as nice as the book piece shown on Page 25. The eagle has perfect detail to the head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and raised out swastika. The ferrule is the same as is shown on Page 25. The interesting part about this dagger is the fact that it has one of the rarely seen “glass” grips. This grip is the exact color of amber and is extremely beautiful. This grip is about as perfect as you will ever see with this material. There are a couple of tiny flecks missing just where the pommel sits on the grip upper portion. The rest of the grip is totally perfect - this is very unusual to see. This is also very desirable! The scabbard on this example for some reason is not an Eickhorn version. It appears to be a WKC; however, this scabbard appears to have always been with this piece. This scabbard is nice and straight and has a good patina in the backgrounds. The panels have crisp pebbling and the overlapping, oak leafed carrying bands have excellent hand-applied detail to the veining. The throat is retained by a single flathead screw at the right side. The next owner may want to swap this scabbard out with someone who has a matching Eickhorn example, as there would be no harm done here and, perhaps, two pieces could be put totally right. On the other hand, it is possible that this scabbard has always been with this dagger and came back from WWII this way. Either way, the choice is up to the next owner. The blade of this example is in choice, bright condition. Most of the graining is still visible, and the needlelike tip is perfect. This blade shows only the most modest of age and still grades at near mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the 1935-41 squirrel trademark. The brown leather washer is in place. An interesting dagger here, and very rare with this fine glass grip.

    Mint Minus. $995.00