Third Reich Water Protection Police Dagger-Eickhorn

This dagger type is particularly rare, with no more than a few hundred being manufactured.
The Water Protection Police uniform was finalized, after several organizational and uniform iterations, on May 25, 1936. A dagger was introduced for wear by Water Protection Police Officers, Administrative Officers, and Officer Candidates within the Water Protection Police in 1937, but it was not officially established until 1938. Prior to the introduction of the dagger, the Navy Sabre was worn by Water Protection Police personnel. From 1938 onward, the Water Protection Police Dagger and Navy Sabre were both permitted for wear with the Water Protection Police service and dress uniforms.

Guilded, flaming ball style pommel in fine condition with prominent upper protrusion. Wood based grip is covered in blue Moroccan leather with the addition of twin, twisted brass wire decorative banding. Leather is in fine condition with wear commensurate with period use. A police eagle insignia is fixed through the grip and mounted externally. Standard navy style crossguard is in perfect condition, having the blade retaining button to the reverse. A period original, and very rare, Wasserschutzpolizei portepee is wrapped about the Crossguard and grip in the correct tie.
This portepee has a gold strap, slide and stem with blue/black flecking and gold acorn with blue/black infil to its base, and has “set in place” over time. “Fouled anchor “ style blade has fine etching and a needle sharp tip. A red blade washer remains in place beneath the crossguard. The Eickhorn “over the shoulder” squirrel trademark is stamped into the reverse ricasso. The standard navy “lightning bolt” scabbard has fine guilding and correctly attached bands and rings. The scabbard has suffered a couple of “train door” dents during service, but, considering the rarity and value of this piece, it may be worth the new owner commissioning someone to remove the dents (Wittmann?) and so restore this item to pristine condition.
One of the rarest of the daggers produced during the third Reich, and missing from all but the most advanced collections. To complete this piece, correct hangers are available elsewhere in this listing.

Code: 53697