Kriegsmarine Dagger – WKC

Product Description: This Kriegsmarine Dagger is a choice example, with a very appealing, untouched look. The nickel plated steel blade is beautiful, with bright original luster, and no damage to note. The ricasso is stamped with the “knight’s helmet” maker logo of the firm of WKC (Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co) in Solingen. The handle is beautiful, and shows light, honest wear. The white Trylon grip is free of any chips or cracks. The brass-based pommel and crossguard have lost most of their gilding, but retain strong detail, with a pleasant, light patina throughout. The leather blade buffer pad is present. This attractive original Kriegsmarine Dagger is complete with its original scabbard. The hammered style scabbard is brass, with normal wear and patina, and just two small dents near the tip. The suspension rings are intact. This German Navy dagger has great eye appeal, and remains in excellent condition.

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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