Officially introduced on 4 May 1935 concurrently with the restoration of Germany’s armed forces, this dagger was intended for officers of the Army (Heer) and served as part of the dress and walking-out uniform, worn with the appropriate officer’s attire. The dagger quickly became one of the principal symbols of the Wehrmacht officer corps. It was worn by officers of all branches of the ground forces, including general officers, and production continued until 1942. Due to the extended period of manufacture, the Army dagger became the most widely produced German officer’s dagger of the Third Reich era and remains today one of the most popular collecting categories for German edged weapons.

The fittings made of nickel silver (German silver) are characteristic of early examples, generally produced before 1936. The present specimen was manufactured by the renowned Solingen firm Anton Wingen Jr. Owing to their limited production numbers, high quality of craftsmanship, and distinguished appearance, such pieces are traditionally valued by collectors more highly than their later counterparts.