German WWII Kriegsmarine Candlesticks

Product Description: These German WWII Kriegsmarine Candlesticks make for a great display. It is believed that these pieces were made for sale to US soldiers as souvenirs right after the war, using original left over Kriegsmarine parts. They are in excellent condition, and measure about 11 inches tall, and 5 inches wide. Both are made using the same type of original Kriegsmarine hilts, and retain nearly all of the original gold gilding. The lions’ head pommels have beautiful red “ruby” eyes. Both have intact grip wire, though on one of the grips, much of the original ivory-colored coating is missing on one side. The guards are beautifully detailed, with naval anchor emblems. The bases and the candle sockets also feature elaborate ornamentation. These German WWII Kriegsmarine Candlesticks are a really attractive pair.

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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