Vet Attributed Army Officer’s Dagger by WKC – D643

With so many WWII souvenirs returned home by American GI’s after the war, we are often asked by customers if we have any information on the soldier who owned the relic that we are selling on our site? Most of the time we don’t but in this listing we do have the vet’s information and a whole lot more! This is the Heer officer’s dagger and all of it’s accoutrements just as you see it, brought home by PFC Fred Smith of the 42nd Rainbow Division, after WWII.

The grip to this dagger is a pleasant squash color throughout and remains in good condition. It is void of any chips, cracks or missing material. The hardware to this hilt consisting of the crossguard, ferrule, and pommel which are all the typical war time fittings that collectors usually see utilized by WKC during this time frame. All of these components are dark with patina and age, as this dagger has not been cleaned since being brought home as a souvenir.

The scabbard to this dagger is fairly straight, showing just one minor door ding on the lower obverse, 2″ from the tip. Other than that the shell remains in decent condition. Like the hilt fittings, it is dark with age with nothing cleaned or polished. Both scabbard bands are in place, and hold the hanger rings properly. One WKC signature  flat head side screw secures the throat in place. A nice untouched scabbard.

The blade to this army dagger is a beauty! It is full length, void of any sharpening, tipping, or cutting edge chips. With a needle sharp tip and a beautiful factory matte finish, it remains untouched like the rest of this edged weapon. There is a tiny bit of surface age on the obverse. Honestly it’s not all that bad. On the reverse is etched the knight’s head logo that collector so well know as the trademark to the famous edged weapon firm of WKC. A nice blade to this Heer officer’s dagger.

Several other items come this with grouping as well. The first of which is the bullion portapee that no doubt was once tied around the hilt of this dagger. While showing age, wear and missing the slide, it is still serviceable and will work just fine. This is how we received the knot in the grouping and have left it as is. If the next owner would like us to properly lace the portapee on the hilt of this dagger, we would be glad to do it for them. Next is the original set of hangers that came with this group. They are a shorter strap example with aluminum buckles, slides and clips. The material shows light age consistent with wear. Next up is the storage bag that once housed this edged weapon when the German officer wasn’t wearing it. The material exhibits some holes, nips, age and tears. In lieu of that, it is still sound with the top enclosure zipper fully intact. Also to this grouping is the hand written piece of paper that PFC Fred W Smith enclosed in the container that held his war trophies to include this Heer officer’s dagger, that he sent home to his mother in Lexington Kentucky. Last but not least is the newspaper obituary clipping for Bronze Star and Purple Heart winner, Fred Wesley Smith.

WKC Heer dagger with all the accoutrements, returning veteran’s information, what a fantastic display for a collector!   SOLD