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KRIEGSMARINE HONOR DAGGER DIAMOND-STUDDED POMMEL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
KRIEGSMARINE HONOR DAGGER DIAMOND-STUDDED POMMEL
KRIEGSMARINE HONOR DAGGER DIAMOND-STUDDED POMMEL
Rare and most desirable diamond-studded 2nd Model Naval Honor Dagger Pommel by Carl Eickhorn, designed by master artist Paul Casberg. The 1 3/4" tall ornamental pommel bears a finely-detailed left-facing eagle with a diamond-encrusted swastika encircled by a wreath of oak leaves at lower-center. There are sixteen round multi-faceted diamonds in all, with four in each arm of the swastika. A 1994 jeweler's appraisal further describes the stones, and lists color as "H-I". clarity as "VS". The threaded pommel itself is a much larger proportion than standard Kriegsmarine dagger types, and much more detailed. The metal is a brass base, heavily fire-gilded. No assembly number is stamped within, as this pommel was never mounted on a serial numbered finished dagger. It remains in all respects identical to every fully authenticated example. This splendid piece is accompanied by a copy of the signed letter from Herr Eickhorn, given to Col. James Atwood in the 1960's. Also present is a copy of a letter from Thomas Wittmann of Wittmann Militaria to our consignor sending a photostat of EWickhorn's letter and further describing the history of these pommels. A great rarity, one of perhaps only 18 examples known to exist. Grand Admiral Erich Raeder and his later replacement, Admiral Karl Doenitz, awarded cased "Honor Pattern" naval dirks bearing their sentiments to several deserving successful U-boat captains, other naval heroes, and also to at least two retiring admirals. The pommels which graced these daggers were made in advance of the dagger presentations, and were made is a very small group at one time. Atwood came into the pommels in the Sixties, and subsequently sold them to interested collectors over the years. They now reside in advanced collections throughout the world. This pommel is the identical example which appears in a color photo in Johnson's Volume 8, Page 195. Provenance: The War Museum.