German Daggers of World War Two

The Navy [Kriegsmarine]
The German Navy holds a long and honorable tradition. Unlike the other services, German Navy uniforms and accouterments have been historically slow in reflecting change. For example, the German Navy edged weapons which remain in service today bear only a minor modifications to the edged weapons carried by members of the Royal Prussian Navy in the mid-nineteenth century. Although the Versailles Treaty signed after World War I seriously limited any sizeable overt expansion of the German Navy, covert submarine production continued outside the country. When Hitler gained power in 1933, he immediately boosted the Navy to a formidable military force under the aegis of Admiral Erich Raeder. Raeder remained at the helm of the German Navy for the next fifteen years, when he was replaced by Admiral Karl Donitz. Early in the war, German U-boats were the nemeses of Allied sailors throughout the Atlantic Ocean. As anti-submarine warfare was perfected by the Allies, heavy combat losses were inflicted on the Germans.
Third Reich Navy Sword w/Depot/Inspection Markings. F.W. Höller (thermometer) TM. Gilted brass hilt fittings show surface wear with traces of gilting remaining in the recesses of the heavily-chiseled lion head pommel without glass eyes, backstrap, knuckle-bow and folding handguard. Exterior of the reverse folding guard is stamped, "Hamburg" with the accountability number, "75", as well as both Kriegsmarine and Reichsmarine Ordnance stamps. White celluloid-over-wood grip has one crack on the upper obverse near the pommel, and is complete with tight triple brass wire wrap. Plain plated, quillback blade shows light surface wear/runner marks, minor gray shadowing, and several shallow nicks to cutting edge. Is complete with original red felt blade buffer pad. Black leather scabbard shows light surface wear with some surface scuffing, but no creases or damage to the reverse stitching. Upper, center, and lower gilted brass scabbard fittings show light surface wear/age patina, with two minor depressions to obverse lower fitting. All scabbard retaining pins are present, and reverse upper fitting is stamped with Ordnance and accountability markings matching those on the reverse folding guard. Sword is complete with original silver bullion sword knots in correct tie, showing light fraying to one spot of the cord. Nice example of a depot/ordnance inspection-marked Naval sword.