2nd Model Kriegsmarine Dagger – Adolf Braun

Product Description: This 2nd Model Kriegsmarine Dagger is a choice example, with exceptional eye appeal. The blade on this one is plain, with no etching, and is bright and clean, with no issues. It is marked on the ricasso with the stamped maker mark of the firm of Adolf Braun in Berlin, a rare maker of these. The leather buffer pad is present. The handle on this dagger is very attractive. The brass fittings show only very slight wear and age, and are clean, with minimal age toning and no evident wear. The grip is a beautiful orange shade and is free of chips or cracks. The grip wire is intact. The handle is complete with a correct original Portepee, which shows no damage to the aluminum wire braid, and is correctly knotted in place. The scabbard of this lovely 2nd Model Kriegsmarine Dagger is brass, with an extremely light patina that matches the handle. There are no dents or other issues to note. This is a very desirable piece, with a lot going for it. The condition rates as excellent plus, and it would be hard to upgrade.

Historical Description: The German Navy adopted the use of a dress dagger for its officers in the 19th century. In 1935, the Nazi leadership reintroduced universal conscription for German men as part of a plan to greatly expand German military power. The German Navy became part of the new Wehrmacht and was renamed the “Kriegsmarine.” The leadership of the Kriegsmarine was largely very traditional and initially retained many pre-Nazi traditions including the traditional dress dagger which was unchanged since WWI. But in 1938, a new dagger was introduced for the Kriegsmarine, that bore the Nazi swastika emblem. This pattern of dress dagger is known today as the Second Model Navy Dagger. The earlier “flaming ball” device used on the first model pommel was replaced with a German national eagle emblem clutching a wreathed swastika. The crossguard on the second model Navy dagger was longer than that found on the first pattern. The standard blade was acid etched with a fouled anchor and ornate foliage pattern. Because it was expected that these daggers would be worn at sea, all parts with the exception of the blade were initially made from brass. The Second Model Navy Dagger was made by more than a dozen manufacturers in a number of variants until the end of WWII. As with all officer dress daggers, they were not issued, but were private purchase items. Officers could customize these to suit their own tastes by upgrading them and customizing them in various ways.

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