Kriegsmarine Officer Dagger w/full Knot, 2nd model
Price: Sold
Description: This naval dagger is a textbook 2nd Model. The pommel is a real beauty being the changeover style that was instituted in 1938. It is a very fine eagle having deep recesses in the wings with a large vaulted wreath and shiny swastika in center. The detail to the bird’s head is also outstanding. The crossguard could not be nicer having the fouled anchor centers with the acanthus leaves on each of the quillon arms. The button ends are in good condition with nipples in the center. The wood carved grip is covered in an off-white celluloid remaining in perfect condition. This grip is tightly wrapped with twisted brass wire.
Original to this dagger is its period tied Officers Portepee showing a very pleasing patina overall.
The blade, although unmarked, is of highest quality and still in full mint condition. It is a nickel plated example with its needlelike tip. The frost behind the fouled anchor etch is 100 percent and really shows off the raised work here. The original brown felt buffer pad is in place.
BACKGROUND: The Kriegsmarine was the last of the three branches of the German Armed Forces to adopt a Nazified dagger on January 28TH 1938. The Kriegsmarine dagger was a modified version of a traditional design that dates back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848. The main modification of the Third Reich era dagger was a change in the Reichsmarine flame shaped pommel to one featuring the national eagle with swastika. Originally designed as a functional item to secure the blade sidearm to the holder’s wrist the portepee evolved into a purely decorative accessory and was to be worn with all Kriegsmarine Officers daggers.
