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SPO - 99 - 27136C - 2nd Model Naval with Ivory Grip and Damascus Blade

This 2nd Model Naval Dagger really has everything. It is in top condition throughout, is equipped with genuine ivory grip, and has a most beautiful Damascus blade produced by Carl Wester. The dagger appears to have Hörster-style fittings throughout, to include the generic style scabbard that Hörster often used. The pommel and crossguard are the same as I show in my Navy book, on page 284, left. This pommel has good detail to the eagle looking to the viewer’s left. The breast feathering is crisp throughout, as are the talons holding the fine wreath. And inside, is an outstanding raised-out swastika. The crossguard is a nice matching example, having some center blocks featuring fouled anchors. The crossguard arms are rendered with fine acanthus leaves, and the quillon end buttons are nicely fluted. At the end of the quillons are long nipple extensions, typical of this maker. The gilt on these fittings appears to be about 90%. The grip as mentioned above, is an outstanding ivory. This ivory has been beautifully hand cut, and has a most appealing golden tone running throughout its surfaces. There is also varying grains and slightly lighter and darker shades, which capture the admiring eye. This grip is in totally perfect condition, and is tightly wrapped with twisted brass wire. An outstanding Naval grip here, which would bring a smile to even the most seasoned collectors out there. The hilt is equipped with an aluminum Naval style portepee. This portepee is nicely set in place in the wreath knot tie, and it has no fray. The lower insert is the cat’s anus style, we associate with Naval designated knots. An outstanding hilt here! The scabbard is a lightening bolt style, being straight as an arrow. This scabbard is the style that has the very large eyelets. These eyelets are equipped with triple serrated surfaces, and the bands are also a high-off-the-surface variety. If you are not familiar with this type of scabbard, it can be seen on the example on page 284, left. The lightening bolt designs, the ermine feet, and the acanthus leaves below, are also outstanding, being deeply cut into the brass surfaces. This scabbard also has about 90% of the original gilt. The throat is nicely overlapping all the way around, and it exactly meets up with the dimensions of the butt plate. This throat is retained by two domehead screws, which are in place, and appear unturned. The blade is a most beautiful hand forged Damascus. This Damascus almost appears to have combinations of a “band” pattern, as well as a “birds eye” pattern, mixed in. The result of the two patterns together is extremely inspiring, and most appealing. This blade is easily in mint condition with its needle-like tip and double fuller construction. I took a look of the tang of this example, and it was made by the Mastersmith, Carl Wester. This blade is stamped into the tang surfaces, “Echter Damascener C.W.”. The blade is buffered by a leather washer. This is one of the nicest daggers I have seen. If you are looking for an outstanding Naval to act as a highlight of your collection, this piece should easily fill the bill.
Near Mint 27136-C $9,995.00

SPO - 100 - 27132C - Cased 1st Class German Eagle Order with Ribbon

This Eagle Order combination Case, Medal and Neck Ribbon is a difficult sight to beat. It is very dramatic, no matter how many times you may take it out to look at it. The case is of red leather, with beautiful smooth grain. The case measures approximately 5 ¾ inches by 7 ½ inches. It is trimmed with a narrow gold border, and in the center, features an open-winged gold Political eagle, with about a 3 inch wing spread. This eagle looks to the viewer’s left and clutches a mobile wreathed swastika in his talons. The leatherette is in excellent condition throughout, showing some minor age, but the corners are still intact. The hinge assembly is gilded. Opening the top lid reveals a padded silk inner surface. This silk or satin is embossed in three lines of gilded letters. These letters are, “Verdienstkreuz I. Stufe/bes/Ordens Vom. Deutschen Adler”. This, of course, means “1st Class Award of the Order of the German Eagle”. The inside of the case is lined with beautiful high pile black velvet. The velvet is cut out to accept the award and the loop, that the upper area is recessed to receive the ribbon with tie strings. The order itself consists of an outstanding Maltese Cross, having white enameled legs. The enameling is perfect throughout both sides. In between each leg is a half open-winged Political eagle, which clutches a mobile swastika. The detail to the eagles is phenomenal. The areas around the swastikas in each wreath are also colored in white enamel. This makes for a very impressive contrast with the black patinated color of the eagles. Most beautiful here indeed! At the top of the Maltese Cross is a fan-like fitting, which has a ring above. This fan-style fitting would indicate that this is an early 1937 Order. Attached to the ring is a beautiful 3-slotted loop. This loop is patinated beautifully, matching the rest of the silver parts. The neck ribbon is almost 2 inches in width. It is beautifully folded, and has edges consisting of white, black, and white stripes. Attached to the ribbon are short red tie strings. This ribbon has a ribbed texture throughout, and it remains in full mint condition. If you are looking for something to show off your collection, this piece will never fail to bring smiles. It is most impressive throughout, and is in top notch collectable condition. Mint, Minus 27132-C $4,495.00

SPO - 101 - 27133C - Gold German Cross with 6-Rivet Construction

German Crosses with 6-rivet construction are very early, and are quite rare to find. This example was definitely worn quite a bit by its original recipient, but it still is in good collectable condition. The raised out swastika has perfect enamel throughout. The background has some slight patina to the silvering, but I don’t see any areas where it is rubbed off. The wreath around the swastika has a fine red circle at the beginning, and the laurel leaves still have fairly good detail, but do show some mild surface wear. The starburst looks good, with good blackening in the backgrounds. The high upper portions of the starburst do show the brass metal below. The back of the medal easily reveals the 6-rivet construction. Each of the rivets has a fine dainty rounded head. The pin is a tapered style, with a barrel hinge, and a standard cup hook. This is a fine addition for a medals collection, as this original is a rarely seen variation of the Gold German Cross. Excellent, Plus 27133-C $3,995.00

SPO - 102 - 27134C - Gold German Cross

This Gold German Cross is a fine example showing some nominal age, but it still has choice condition throughout. The black enamel swastika is in perfect condition, and has a good sheen to all of its legs. The silver background field has some mired patination which is spaced across its surfaces, but I see no breaks in its condition. There is a fine red circular line just in front of the golden raised out lined wreath of laurel leaves. The gilding still appears to be mostly all there to this wreath. The sunburst in the back has outstanding blackening intact throughout, and the edges have a fine silvering. A good looking German Cross here. The reverse has four donut style rivets, and the pin is on a barrel hinge, being the tapered type with cup hook. There is a small rectangular box stamped into the center of the medal reverse, in which the maker number “134” appears. These numbers are raised out of the backgrounds. A fine collectable original example here. Excellent, Plus 27134-C $3,495.00

SPO - 104 - 26886 - IMPERIAL PERSONALIZED SHORT HIRSCHFANGER WITH SKINNER - J.A. HENCKELS

This Imperial short Hirschfanger is in choice, new-like condition throughout. Although it is made with a blue finish, it has lots of elegance about it. The hilt fittings and scabbard fittings are full size yet the total overall length of this elegant piece is only about 15½ inches. The mounts throughout have a fine, blued finish which is still at 100%. The pommel cap is the standard style, having an umbrella-like flare out from the top center, and there is a simulated acorn in the center which acts as a blade tang. This acorn is beautifully designed and has very crisp gnarls to the cap area. The sides of the pommel are plain. The ferrule matches the sides of the pommel cap, as its finish is also plain. The nice part, though, is that the original owner has had his name factory etched into the ferrule center area. It is etched and then gilded in the background, giving a great effect to this personalization “Lt. d. R. Geiger”. This would indicate that the owner was a Lieutenant Retired of the Reserve. His name was, of course, Geiger. It is possible that this man could be researched, but I have not tried to do anything with it. Below the superbly etched ferrule is a cross guard in the traditional Hirschfanger design. This guard has deerlike hooves and legs which rise up slightly on the left end and downward slightly on the right end. The simulated hair of the deer is perfectly executed. The center area of this cross guard has double circles, indicative of a target-like item. Below the cross guard is a standard clamshell device which has outstanding fluting. Setting off these beautiful dark black fittings is a tremendous piece of genuine antler. This antler is so dark with age that it has almost turned black in some of the depths of the graining. Other areas where the graining rises out have a beautiful, antique golden color. This piece of antler was selected for its size and it has been handly trimmed to fit properly into the pommel and ferrule devices. This antler has to be seen to be appreciated. Absolutely splendid! The scabbard shell is a very short piece of black leather. The leather contains the pocket area at the obverse for the skinner and additionally, it has been decorated with trim lines on both sides and it is sewn up the rear. This leather shows little age and remains in perfect condition with its original black surfaces. The scabbard mounts are also outstanding, being blued to match the upper mounts. The lower mount has only scalloping to the edges where it meets the leather and no other decorative engravings. It has a couple of tiny, minor taps at the reverse center area, but they are nothing. The upper mount has dual sets of decorative twin lines and is fitted with the entrance to the pocket in the leather to accommodate the skinner. At the outside center area is an acorn which serves as a lug. Both of these fittings are secured with staples in the normal manner and it is possible to see numbers beneath these staples. For once, the original skinner is also in place. This skinner has wonderful antler plates which appear to have been cut from the same piece of stag as the Hirschfanger. This antler is absolutely beautiful, having the same subtle golden tones to the upper areas and nearly black colors in the depths. The blade of the skinner is a high-quality example which is still mostly bright and has most of its original cross graining. It is a slab side blade with a false edge coming back to about the halfway point. The reverse of the blade is etched with the Henckels twins - nice! The blade of the Hirschfanger itself is really something to see. It is 9 inches in length and is of the highest quality polished steel. This blade is a slab side with short ricasso and it has a false edge which goes backward to about the one-third point. The blade is double etched and the panels are extremely beautiful. The panels are done on a perpendicular setting. The obverse panel features a very large stag with huge antlers resting in a forest glen. Above the stag is a fine-looking sprig of oak leaves and acorns. The frosting is 100% throughout the backgrounds of the etch. On the reverse, the upper oak leaf springs are the same and at the lower portion, there is a fox which appears to have his leg caught in a trap. His tongue is hanging out, so, apparently, the trap has gotten the better of him. I do not remember ever seeing a trapped animal starring in one of these etches. This is a most unusual etching and an absolutely stunning blade. The reverse ricasso is also etched with the twins trademark and below the figures is the firm’s name and location “J.A. Henckels Zwillingswerk”. The original green felt blade buffer is in place protecting this mint blade. This buffer shows a little bit of age and some of the edges are beginning to wear. It has done a great job, though, protecting this wonderful cutlass. This is one of the nicest examples I have seen. It should be well appreciated by the next purchaser. I know I have certainly enjoyed owning it during the short time I have had it. Mint Minus. $3,995.00

SPO - 110 - 26086C - Army Officer with Wire Wrapped Grip by Carl Eickhorn

Every so often we see an oddity in this hobby, which is 100% original. Just like all people, if we have enough participants in an organization, there are bound to be those who want to do something a little differently. Over the years, I have seen several Army daggers where there has been original factory-done wire wrap applied to the grip. This is the case, with this example. The fittings are the standard early silver 2nd Style Eickhorn. These fittings can be seen in my Army book, on pages 25 and 26. The pommel is an outstanding example, having good smooth upper surfaces, and a rim showing little carrying time. The standing oak leaves around the perimeter are impressive, and hand-done. The crossguard is as nice as they come, easily being as good as the book example on page 25. This Army eagle has a great look to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath, and raised out swastika. The ferrule is also the 2nd Style, exactly like the book. The grip, though, is the interesting part of this dagger. First off, it is in perfect condition and is a beautiful pumpkin-orange color. The grip has been professionally wrapped with nickeled wire. The wire wrap has been done the same as a 1st Luftwaffe, or for that matter, any other dagger having this treatment. There have been two holes drilled at the upper portion, and two holes at the lower portion, to accept the twin wires. The wire has been properly inserted in the holes, and bent over on the inside in such a fashion that it does not interfere with the tang. The workmanship is absolutely factory all the way. Apparently, the original owner admired the look the wire gave to the grip, and I must say, it does give it a little more pizzazz. The hilt is further enhanced by, what appears to be, an original-to-the-piece portepee. This portepee has oxidized slightly onto the ferrule, which is usually an indication it has been there a long time. The knot shows little-to-no wear, and it is perfectly set in the Army tie. The scabbard is a classic 2nd Style. This scabbard is straight throughout, and has perfect silvering and pebbled design. The bands are nicely detailed with the oak leaves, and the thicker throat is retained by a single placed center screw, in the reverse. The blade of this example is nice and bright. It does not have all of its graining, but its surfaces are certainly a pleasure to gaze upon, and this blade appears to be in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with a fairly dark, 1935 through 1941, Eickhorn squirrel logo. The original washer is in place. A very fine dagger here, for those of us out there, that like a little something different in their collection. An absolute period job here, and a most interesting dagger.
Near Mint (26086C) $1,495.00

This beautiful all-silver necklace was handmade by Karolina Gahr for members of the "NS-Frauenwarte", which was the National Socialists Women's Guard. I do not know how large of an organization this was, but I suspect there were very few members, and I also presume that this necklace may be unique. The same piece appears in the Don Boyle SS Ring Book, "SS Totenkopf Himmler Honor Ring 1933-1945". This necklace consists of a series of SS runic symbols which are positioned with silver borders which are triangular shaped. The runes depictions consist of many of the same symbols we see portrayed on SS Honor rings and other SS items pertaining to life, death and marriage. There are two birth runes; one on each end. These are in the shape of a "Y". There are also two death runes. These are in the shape of a "Y" with a line extended through the middle area of the letter. There are also two symbols which look almost like “figure eights”. Then there are two symbols which are the same asterisk-like form that we see on SS rings. The runic symbol in the center (in which there is only one) is a floating sunwheel swastika. These runic symbols are unmistakable as being part of SS mystique. They are completely black patinated and have never been cleaned, nor has the accompanying chain. Each runic symbol is separated by two silver, bead-like devices. The life symbol at the right end of the necklace is hallmarked on the back, "K. Gahr München". Stamped above the maker name is the silver content mark, "835". This necklace is a very important SS item. For those who do not know the Gahr jeweler family - they were the personal friends of Adolf Hitler and produced many of the original Nazi Party artifacts which were used so successfully during Hitler's campaign to power. In fact, the Gahr family made the original Deutschland Erwacht eagle standartes- with-wreathed-swastika which were used as pole tops for the Party Standartes. Additionally, they produced the SS Honor rings, and also made the silver parts and fittings for the SS Honor chain daggers, as well as the silver hilts for the Himmler damascus Birthday Presentation degens. This family were expert craftsman and the beauty of their work is well known. I believe this necklace to be an important SS artifact and also feel it would make a great addition to any serious advanced SS collection. It is unconditionally guaranteed as to authenticity. This necklace originally comes from the Don Boyle collection. Uncleaned Near Mint (23091) $21,995.00

SPO - 124 - 2ND MODEL DELUXE NAVAL WITH CHASED SCABBARD - WKC