G658.)GERMAN ARMY OFFICER'S DAGGER W/KNOT AND HANGERS: nickel-plated blade is still mirror-like and lustrous, only the slightest on in/out wear from scabbard action. Only the slightest of blemishing here and there, no rust nor any moisture staining. Tip is perfect, no extra sharpening to edges. Reverse ricasso is etched with the squirrel logo of the premiere Eichkhorn firm....'Carl Eickhorn, Solingen'. Has its original brown leather buffer pad. This is an early period dagger with nickel-silver plating to brass cross-guard and pommel. Silver finish shows some wear down to the brass base metal (note the comments below taken from an on-line website confirming that the fittings on early army daggers were made of brass). Lovely dark pumpkin-orange composition grip; perfect, no cracks nor any chips. Has its original silver officer's knot in its proper tied configuration....mild wear and age to the knot. Silver finished steel scabbard -- no dents nor any creases -- just mild age and wear. Officer's hangers have silver metallic cloth with green velvet undersides. Hangers are intact and shows light wear and age from use and from the years. Nice dagger. EXC++++

German Army (Heer) officer dagger cross guards were primarily made of cast alloy or brass that was usually plated with nickel or silver to achieve a bright, polished, or frosted finish. Early-production models often featured higher-quality silver-plated brass, while later-war models shifted to cheaper, gray-finished zinc or aluminum alloys.