UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Army, Navy, and Luftwaffe Forum E.& F. Horster Kriegsmarine Dagger

I recently received this set from a friend in Germany. He got it from a neighbor whose grandfather had served in the Kriegsmarine during WW2. While not a reproduction, it is a post war produced dagger. E.& F. Horster was in business until 1996. In the late-1950s, Horster started producing these daggers. To meet the requirements of the 1957 law, they were produced with the ball pommel. Initially the grips were celluloid over wood but soon changed to solid plastic. The grip wire was retained by wooden pins, a practice not used during the 3rd Reich period. Blade buffer pads were brown leather instead of the original red or green felt. Scabbard bands are embossed in the scabbard body instead of being separately applied. The scabbard throat is retained by two headless screws instead of the flat head screws originally used. The blade is plated and has the sailing ship/fouled anchor pattern and etched trademark.

I did an Internet search and found a few similar daggers being offered for sale. Unfortunately, the pommels had been replaced with the eagle type, the the daggers were described as "Late war production". Anyone have an idea as to the actual value of this set?

Hi Vern didn't they have the eagle pommel but with an anchor instead of the swaz? my wkc is like that

I've seen a WKC with the eagle and anchor. The only pommel I've seen on the Horster is the ball. Doesn't mean they didn't make one, I've just not seen one

Is your WKC an original with a switched pommel or was it produced after 1945?

I believe the 1957 production pieces had the eagle Pommel with the anchor where the swaz use to be. I have not seen one with the ball pommel before.

Here is the current model. I have an earlier Eichorn with the eagle also.

Here is the link to the earlier model, post war, on world daggers website

https://worlddaggers.com/post-ww2-west-german-naval-dagger-200/

It is the earlier models that people put the WWII pommel on and sold as original pre WWII

Hi Vern,
with such a pommel I would call this dagger Reichsmarine.
Best,
Oleg.

Thanks for the info. Any idea on value?

Vern,

In WWI and before: Kaiserlische Marine

1919 - 1935: Reichsmarine

1933(?) - 1945: Kriegsmarine

1956 - (West) 1995 Bundesmarine (Federal Navy)

???? - (East) 1990: Volksmarine (People's Navy)

Now: Deutsche Marine

Here's mine its post 57

Pommel

A very nice looking dagger

Hi Vern,
I don’t know that for sure, but maybe about 300 USD?
Best,
Oleg.