Here is a better shot of the dagger's grip which is covered in black leather covered by a wire grip wrap. You can get a better idea for the typical Eickhorn doorknob pommel in this shot too. I'm a sucker for tang markings but sadly this pommel is peened over & it is unremoveable as so many from this period are.
You can also see the Eickhorn maker mark of two back to back squirrels. I believe this particular mark dates from the early 1900's right into the early 1920's. As is not often seen, the mark is deeply & fully struck.
Many of the post 1945 Fire Official's daggers by Eickhorn will show the '35-'41 maker mark however that mark will be etched instead of stamped. It will also be upside down in that the squirrel's rear end will be toward the crossguard on post 1945 pieces & facing away from the crossguard on pre 1945 pieces. I've read also that post 1945 Fire Official's daggers have also been seen with the single oval Eickhorn mark & the back to back squirrel mark as well.
