Condition: Excellent
Maker: Carl Eickhorn
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Product Description: What a lovely example of an Army Dagger – Carl Eickhorn. The acid etched squirrel “Original Eickhorn Solingen” maker mark is dark, crisp and beautifully executed. The crossgrain looks excellent as you turn it in the sun. The tip comes to a perfect point and the fit is nice and tight. Blade does have some scattering greying and runner marks. The blade rates Exc. The original leather buffer pad remains intact. The steel based nickel-silver plated scabbard is gorgeous with wonderful age patina. It provides great detail with the random pebbling throughout with oak leaf and acorn bands. It remains completely dent free and the original throat retaining screw continues to remain intact on the back of the scabbard. Very nice nickel-silver plated Eickhorn crossguard provides crisp detail. The pommel and ferrule are also beautifully detailed with proud oak leaves and acorns. The deep orange trylon grip does not have any chips or cracks and is perfect. This Army Dagger – Carl Eickhorn is in excellent plus condition.
Historical Description: After WWI, the German military, known as the Reichswehr, was restricted to a relatively small force. Hitler changed this in 1935, reintroducing universal military conscription, and creating a new German Armed Forces- the Wehrmacht. Within the Wehrmacht, the German Army was known as the Heer, and a new dagger was designed and introduced for the officers of this new German Army in May 1935. As with all German Army officer uniforms and accoutrements, they were not issued; rather, the officer had to purchase them. These were ceremonial and decorative pieces of regalia, that were worn on occasions that did not call for carrying a sword. The overall pattern and design of the dagger remained consistent throughout the production run, but the large number of individual manufacturers created a wide variety in detail, especially regarding the handle fittings. There were approximately 42 different manufacturers of the blades. There were construction changes over time as well. Early German Army daggers generally featured plated brass alloy handle fittings. Later, zinc was used. Wartime type scabbards were generally unplated, with a gray finish. Production of German Army daggers ceased around 1943. The German Army was a huge organization, and large numbers of these daggers were produced. But there were many specific variants that were produced in low numbers, especially the highest quality, luxury type pieces for well-heeled officers. Some daggers were personalized, and customized, and are unique. The striking and attractive design of the German Army dagger was well-received by officers at the time, and these are very sought-after by collectors today.
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