BACKGROUND: Traditionally German Army Officers had worn a saber as part of the uniform dress and this tradition was carried on through the Weimar era, (Circa 1919-1933), Reichswehr, (National Defence {Force}), and on into the Third Reich. In an attempt to build morale and curry favour within the Army, Hitler introduced the dress dagger for optional wear with the walking out dress, and retained the saber for wear on more formal occasions. The dress dagger was designed by Berlin graphic artist Paul Casberg and was officially approved for wear on May 4^TH 1935 along with specifically styled dagger hangers and a new pattern portepee. Of Note: Production of the dress dagger was to be discontinued as per regulations of May 27^TH 1943 and further wear of the dress dagger and portepee was prohibited by order of September 5^TH 1944. Additional regulations of December 23^RD 1944 indicated that officer ranks were to wear a pistol in place of the dress dagger. The cross guard was an integral part of the Officer’s dagger.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nickel/silver plated, cast aluminum alloy construction, cross guard, for the army officer’s dagger. The obverse of the cross guard features a nicely detailed, embossed, right facing, national eagle with outstretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted, swastika in it’s talons. The eagle’s wingspan is roughly, 2 3/8", from wing tip to wing tip and the bottom edge of the obverse follows the contours of the eagle’s wings. The arms of the cross guard extend beyond the eagle’s wings and have in inwardly curled, down swept, end tips. The smooth finished top edge of the cross guard has a small, rectangular, cut-out to accommodate the tang of the blade. The smooth finished reverse of the cross guard has a central, downward scallop. The bottom edge of the cross guard has an oval cut-out to accommodate the shoulders of the blade. The cross guard retains about 70% of its age and usage yellowed, nickel/silver plated finish with spots of wear to the base alloy, numerous small lifting bubbles and some light surface spotting and pitting. The cross guard has no visible manufacturer’s markings.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $132.00