WKC Army Dagger

Product Description: This WKC Army Dagger has lots of character and a really appealing look. The blade on this one is definitely better than average and remains very bright, with only a few tiny marks here and there. The reverse of the blade is neatly etched with the distinctive Knight’s helmet maker mark of W.K.C. in Solingen. The handle is beautiful, with a honey-colored grip free of cracks and chips. The handle fittings have a lovely old uncleaned dark toning from age, with the high points standing out richly in contrast to the darker patina in the recesses. The German Army eagle on the crossguard has great detail. The handle of this WKC Army Dagger retains its original portepee, which has just a few small areas of minor fraying, but is overall very sound. The beautiful scabbard on this dagger has a rich toning that perfectly matches the handle fittings. It’s straight and undamaged, with patination that includes subtle blue and gold tones giving it a really handsome appearance. The reverse of the scabbard has a small rectangular area of less patination, likely from a label that was there for a while. The overall condition here is excellent. It’s a great example, with a lot of charm.

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 knows 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 details, especially with regard to 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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