III.Reich DR/Railway Dagger M38 for Ferry Service Officials[Eickhorn/Solingen]

Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) Leader's Dagger [Model M-1938] for senior officials of the ferry and railway shipping services—a classic, exclusive production by the Eickhorn firm of Solingen. It features a double-edged, nickel-plated blade with the manufacturer's mark "Original Eickhorn/Solingen" etched on the reverse, and a distinctive grip made of black buffalo horn with a double-convex, fluted design. The crossguard and stepped pommel—featuring a relief sun-wheel emblem—are made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal; the dagger is complete with its original Reichsbahn portepee (knot) featuring black wreath coloring and interwoven black strands. It comes with the matching silver-plated steel scabbard and a deluxe hanger made of aluminum thread with black interwoven strands on a black velvet backing; the piece bears the early-period "D.R.G.M." (Registered Design) stamp. Exceedingly rare—a truly unique edged weapon from the era of German history, offered at a realistic price approximately 50% below its estimated value.

In untouched condition.

History: Driven by steadily rising tourist numbers and economic considerations, the Deutsche Reichsbahn (German State Railway) launched a large-scale new shipbuilding program for Lake Constance during the 1920s and 1930s. Between 1926 and 1932, the railway commissioned six medium-sized motor vessels to replace decommissioned steamships and to serve less frequented routes on the lake. A seventh vessel—not originally planned—followed in 1936. During the National Socialist era, the popular "Strength Through Joy" (Kraft durch Freude) excursions drove record passenger numbers, but everything changed with the outbreak of the war. The ships were subsequently used for military trials, and torpedoes were even tested using them. At the end of the war, a secret nighttime evacuation operation to Switzerland prevented the destruction of the ships. After the war, it took years for the "White Fleet" to be released by the occupying power and return to service. It was not until 1959 that the Deutsche Reichsbahn established its first ferry shipping company by creating a dedicated ferry division.

The Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) was the state-owned German railway company operating from the era of the Weimar Republic through the immediate post-war period. Following World War II, the entity continued to operate under the same name, comprising the parts of the railway system located in the Soviet occupation zone and Berlin. Under the Unification Treaty, the Deutsche Reichsbahn was transferred from a special state asset into federal ownership; it continued to exist after German reunification until December 31, 1993. The DR was subsequently merged with the Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) to form "Deutsche Bahn AG," which remained federally owned.

History: This is one of the least researched and documented service daggers of the Third Reich.

(*) Due to its rarity, an exact market value cannot be determined.