WKC Kriegsmarine Navy Dagger

Product Description: This WKC Kriegsmarine Navy Dagger is a really nice and all-original rig. It features a wonderful blade that remains in exceptional condition. There is no etching on the blade, but there is a well-stamped WKC manufacturer marking, indicating this is a product of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum und Cie., a prestigious firm still in business in Solingen today. The blade still comes to its original point and would not be easy to upgrade. The handle here is a beauty, with only extremely minor discoloration and patinated to the raw brass of the handle fittings. The cream-colored grip is pristine, and the original gold-colored wire wrap is completely intact, with no issues. The handle features an original Portepee, still tied in its original knot. The portepee is complete, and in good overall condition, though there is some fraying where it is suspended from the crossguard. This WKC Kriegsmarine Navy Dagger is complete with its original scabbard, which has a light even patina that perfectly matches the handle fittings. There is a very slight dent on one side of the scabbard, close to the tip. The scabbard is complete with one of its original hangers. The hanger is in excellent condition and still retains nearly all of the original gilt finish on the fittings. This WKC Kriegsmarine Navy Dagger is a handsome and desirable example of this dagger type.

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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