Technical Emergency Corps (TeNo) Leader’s Dagger, Model 1938, manufactured by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen. This example bears the manufacturer’s trademark and retains matching numbers on the blade and scabbard, confirming their factory pairing and attesting to the complete original preservation of the piece.

This dagger model was introduced in November 1938, concurrently with the adoption of new regulation edged weapons for the TeNo organization. It was intended to be worn with dress uniform by commanding officers holding the rank of Stabsscharführer and above. Officers purchased these daggers at their own expense through special organizational outlets.

The history of the Technical Emergency Corps began on September 30, 1919. Throughout the existence of the Weimar Republic, the corps repeatedly distinguished itself, demonstrating efficiency and excellent technical training. Naturally, this organization could not escape the attention of the new leadership, the National Socialist Party. In 1939, to further enhance efficiency, TeNo was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Reich Ministry of Foreign Affairs and subordinated to police structures, allowing for improved operational capacity. Prior to the commencement of the Polish campaign, TeNo was commanded by SS Gruppenführer (SS Lieutenant General) Schmelzer; he was later succeeded in this post by SS Gruppenführer Weinreich.

The Carl Eickhorn company was founded in Solingen in 1865 and became one of the largest manufacturers of edged weapons in Germany. The company’s trademark, featuring a squirrel (Eichhörnchen), served as a guarantee of the highest quality products. During the Third Reich period, the firm produced a wide range of regulation edged weapons, including daggers for all branches of service, SA and SS daggers, NPEA, NSFK, and TeNo daggers, as well as dress daggers, sabers, and swords. Carl Eickhorn products are distinguished by superior steel quality and meticulous finishing, and are highly valued by modern collectors.