The highly motivated and nationalistic Imperial German Navy of the early 20th century looked forward to "Der Tag", "the day" when the inevitable showdown with the British Navy would come. The Germans acquitted themselves well in three major surface battles, from Coronel to the Falklands to Jutland, before resorting to unrestricted submarine warfare. After the Kaiser abdicated the throne following the Armistice, the Imperial German Navy transitioned to the Weimar German Navy of the post-WW1 era. Weimar German Navy officers carried the beautiful M-1919/1921 dress dagger as a mark of rank and status. This Weimar German Navy Post-WW1 Alcoso Reichsmarine M-1919/1921 Officer Dress Dagger is in Very Good Condition, with some light nicking to the blade edges, some light scratching, scabbard wear, and spot patina at each side of the blade, some verdigris around the ricasso, some light patina to the guard and pommel, some light scattered nicking and scratching to the grip covering, and with some light overall age wear evident. Most interestingly, it features a 9 7/8” bright double edge, double fuller dagger blade with incredible anchor, ship, and floral scroll etched motifs at each side, sports a beautiful black celluloid covered wood grip with fully intact twisted brass wire wrapping, and is stamped at the ricasso with the classic “scales” logo of its maker, the famous “ALCOSO”. It boasts a fully functional large brass stud locking latch at the left side of the embellished brass guard (which successfully mates to a small cutout in the throat of the sheath), exhibits an elegant “waves” embellished globe shaped brass pommel, and is complete with the original Weimar German Navy Post-WW1 M-1919/1921 Officer Brass Scabbard in Very Good Condition, with a small spot dent in the lower front body, some scattered patina to the body, some scattered drying and surface cracking to the leather hanger at the upper left side, and with some scattered age wear evident. Most interestingly, it exhibits fine decorative lines, waves, and rings engraved on the body, shows brass knotwork style mountings with brass hanging rings at the upper body, and is complete with a non-regulation but period original brown leather belt hanger at the upper left side. The set is a fine example of a very rare, original Weimar German Navy Post-WW1 Alcoso Reichsmarine M-1919/1921 Officer Dress Dagger.

Per the consignor, this item has been in his family's possession since his father, Staff Sergeant Ernest Meyers, was discharged from the Army in January, 1946. SSG Meyers served in the Headquarters Company, 1st battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment of the 80th "Blue Ridge Division". A signed letter from SSG Meyers' son is included with this item.