The German Navy holds a long and honourable tradition.

Unlike the other services, German Navy uniforms and accoutrements have been historically slow in reflecting change. For example, the German Navy edged weapons, which remain in service today, bear only minor modifications to the edged weapons carried by members of the Royal Prussian Navy in the mid-nineteenth century.

Although the Versailles Treaty signed after World War I seriously limited any sizeable overt expansion of the German Navy, covert submarine production continued outside the country.

When Hitler gained power in 1933, he immediately boosted the Navy to a formidable military force under the aegis of Admiral Erich Raeder. Raeder remained at the helm of the German Navy for the next fifteen years, when he was replaced by Admiral Karl Donitz.

The Prussian and German Navies prior to the 3^rd Reich, had a history of wearing dress daggers going back to 1848. The 1848 dagger came in two lengths the first style was near about the standard 1938 Navy dagger in size, just a bit shorter perhaps by 2-3 CM. A later style from about 1855, was a bit longer by as much as 3-4 cm than the short 1848 style. Other than the lack of grip wire, and the delicate ivory grip it looks like a standard 1938 style grip. One Other difference found on these very early daggers is a lack of a lock button on the crossguard.

Initially "Dirks" were worn only by cadets until 1901 when their use was extended to all officers. The basic appearance changed very little over the period from 1848 until 1919.

In 1919 the Imperial "Crown" pommel was superseded by the "Cresting wave and reed ball" style pommel, as shown above, plus a black scabbard with a single carrying ring was introduced and the grip changed its colour to black with a brass wire wrap. On this style dagger the pommel was pined to the tang by way of a brass pin that went through the throat of the pommel.

In 1921 the scabbard was converted back to the gilded unit with 2 carrying rings as pre 1919.

In 1929 the grip was also converted back to the pre 1919 traditional white grip.

The dagger continued in the above format until 1938 when, upon Hitler’s birthday, the Navy Type 2 was issued for wear.

Many Imperial daggers were upgraded by simply replacing the Imperial Pommel with the Nazi pommel. This is very common for a dagger with a damast blade or Ivory grip handed down from father to son etc.

The 1929 style or type one navy dagger is well made and has solid brass based fittings with either buffed brass with a clear lacquer coating, or gold plated with clear lacquer coat, and the most expensive finish was the fire gilt with clear lacquer coat.

The hilt fittings are exactly the same as the 1938 style other than the creating wave and reed pommel, there are a few very distinct styles use of this pommel, the most common are Eickhorn with a thin curled in lip that abuts the grip and tall top. And the WKC style with a broad flat lip that abuts the grip with a short fat top. Followed by the Alcoso that that has an outward thin thin lip that abuts the grip with a tall thin top.

Grips are like the 1938 style being a white plastic over wood base with a wire wrap that will vary depending on maker.

Scabbard is a brass based with standard styles seen on the 1938 style. Again with the standard finishes from a buffed brass with clear lacquer coat. Gold plated with a clear lacquer coat. Fire gilt with clear lacquer coat.

Portepee is a 43 cm silver bullion.

Hangers are standard Navy style hangers with brass-based fittings only.