Condition: Excellent
Maker: WKC
Pattern: 2nd Pattern
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Product Description: This 2nd Pattern Kriegsmarine Dagger is a truly lovely piece that has “the look” that many collectors find most appealing. The blade on this one is virtually pristine, with great original luster as well as normal runner marks. It’s a double etched blade, with clean etching. The blade ricasso is stamped with the knight’s helmet maker mark of WKC. The leather blade buffer pad is intact. The handle is gorgeous, with nice age toning to the brass-based metal fittings. The excellent dark pumpkin grip is free of chips or cracks, and the grip wire is nice and tight. The push button is functional. The handle is complete with the original Portepee, which shows heavy wear. The braided aluminum wire is worn through and frayed in the high wear areas, revealing the core threads. This 2nd Pattern Kriegsmarine Dagger is complete with its original hammered scabbard. The scabbard is straight, with no issues, and the suspension rings are intact. This dagger displays extremely well, with exceptional visual appeal.
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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