Rare & Personalized - Army Dagger by Eickhorn

German WWII > Edged Weapons > Army Daggers >

Personalized - Model 1935 Heer Dolch mit Portepee für Offiziere by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen. Included with the dagger is a 21-piece research document grouping from McDivitt. This piece is jeweler engraved to a “Stentzler”. McDivitt attributes it to a Major Dietrich Stentzler. Stentzler was born December 25, 1913, in Rastenburg Prussia. He was awarded the rank of Major on May 1, 1943. During his service he won the: Iron Cross 2nd Class, Iron Cross 1st Class, Panzer Assault Badge, Army 4 Year Long Service Medal, Wound Badge and the Eastern Front Medal. The accompanying documentation speaks very highly of Stentzler noting: He is an “… outstanding officer, dashing, cold blooded, highly capable, talented, skillful, diligent [and] faultless.” Additionally, it states he has the “… bold personality of a leader [and has] proven himself in front of the enemy.” It goes on to say: “He embodies the great idea of national socialism and of being a solider and knows how to transform these world-views and thoughts onto others.”

This piece features all early matching Eickhorn construction. The cleaned and worn blade has a tapered tang and features the early double oval maker mark. The crossguard has a beautiful personalization. Unfortunately, it is de-nazified. The early scabbard has some pressure marks throughout. The early pommel top has 14 leaves. This piece is one of two “bone” slant grips army daggers I’ve seen in my lifetime (the other one is in my personal collection). When looking at Eickhorn’s sales catalog, to add an ivory grip to a dagger doubled the price for the purchaser. Comes with a portepee and early hangers. There is an “Edgar Stentzler” Knights Cross winner (https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Edgar_Stentzler Edgar served in the Army until 1933, when he transferred to the Luftwaffe). Dietrich lists an "Edgar" as a sibling.