Imperial Naval School Pilot’s Harbor Pilot’s Dagger (32857)

Description No maker. Photographs of a similar ¾ size dagger appears on page 512 of “Exploring The Dress Daggers of the German Navy” by Thomas T. Wittmann. The accompanying description states that the fittings on the pictured dagger [were] “used during the Imperial era for naval school pilot (maritime) cadets”. The same style dagger is also associated with harbor pilots. Brass hilt fittings show light surface wear to closed crown pommel and large capstan style crossguard with crossed, fouled anchors on the obverse quillon block and a raised Tudor Rose motif on the reverse. Off-white, celluloid grip without wire wrap shows light age toning with no cracks, chips or damage. Plain, polished, center ridge blade measuring 8 ½” in length grades EX/EX showing light surface wear and minor gray shadowing with one small spot of minor surface pitting near obverse tip, but no nicks to cutting edges. Blade is without blade buffer pad. Gilded brass lightning bolt scabbard shows light surface wear with traces of gilding remaining in recesses and is complete with beveled oak leaf pattern suspension bands. Scabbard shows several faint surface depressions primarily to reverse scabbard, but no age discoloration.