WWII NAZI GERMAN ARMY OFFICER DAGGER HORSTER WW2

The dagger features a roughly, 26cm long, drop forged steel construction, nickel/silver plated, stiletto style blade with a flat central ridge. The blade is in overall excellent condition with minor scabbard runners and surface spotting and most of the original cross-graining is still visible. The reverse ricasso is well marked with the acid etched manufacturers logo and script. The logo consists of a vertically oval cartouche with the manufacturers name and location, "E. & F.Hörster Solingen", encompassing stylized initials "H", and "S", and a downward pointing broadsword. The original brown leather washer is still intact. The dagger has a cast alloy, nickel/silver, cross guard, ferrule, and pommel. The obverse cross guard features the embossed army eagle with outstretched wings and a plain reverse. The ferrule and pommel both feature embossed repeating oak-leaf patterns. The dagger has a molded, white celluloid grip with the correct diagonally angled ribbing. The dagger comes with its original, tooled, magnetic, sheet metal, nickel/silver plated scabbard with a random pebbled pattern to both the obverse and reverse and smooth side panels. The nickel/silver to the scabbard shows moderate age tarnish and spots of wear. Both of the sweated on scabbard bands with a repeating, horizontally embossed oak-leave pattern and the hanger suspension rings are intact. Throat retaining screw is also intact. Excellent. Traditionally German Army Officer’s had worn a saber as part of the uniform dress and this tradition was carried on through the Weimar era 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 4TH 1935 along with specifically styled dagger hangers and a new pattern portepee. Production of the dress dagger was to be discontinued as per regulations of May 27TH 1943 and further wear of the dress dagger was prohibited by order of September 5TH 1944. Additional regulations of December 23RD 1944 indicated that officer ranks were to wear a pistol in place of the dress dagger.