Alcoso Government Officials Dagger M1939 with Hangers

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Original Alcoso M1939 Government Officials Dagger with Portepee and Hangers

The Alcoso Government Officials Dagger was a prestige dress sidearm intended for senior officials of the German state administration.Known in German as the Dolch für Staatsbeamte, the pattern is generally identified as the M1939 Government Officials Dagger.It ranks among the scarcer production edged weapons of the Third Reich period.The Deutsches Historisches Museum specifically records the existence of the M39 dagger for state officials, demonstrating its place within the dress equipment used by senior civil servants of the regime.Unlike Army, Luftwaffe and naval officer daggers, production numbers were comparatively limited.Consequently, original Government Officials daggers command substantially higher prices today.

Government Official – Not Diplomatic Corps

The Government Officials dagger is frequently confused with the almost identical Diplomatic Corps dagger.However, one major feature separates the two patterns.

Government Officials dagger:

Crossguard eagle faces left.

Diplomatic Corps dagger:

Crossguard eagle faces right.The eagle on the present dagger clearly faces left, confirming the Government Officials configuration.Helmut Weitze specifically identifies this distinction when comparing the Diplomatic Corps and Government Officials patterns.Empires Past likewise confirms that the left-facing eagle identifies the Government Officials dagger.This point should therefore be highlighted in the catalogue description.

Alcoso / Alexander Coppel Manufacture

The blade carries the distinctive Alcoso trademark.Visible on the ricasso is the balance-scales emblem together with:AWSand the script:Alcoso / Alcosa SOLINGENAlcoso was the commercial name associated with Alexander Coppel of Solingen, one of the city’s major edged-weapon manufacturers.Government Officials daggers manufactured by Alcoso are extensively documented.Lakesidetrader currently offers an Alcoso Government Official dagger for almost $10,000, demonstrating the current specialist value placed on genuine examples.

Later AWS Alcoso Trademark

The maker mark on this dagger deserves particular attention.It is the later AWS balance-scales trademark, rather than the earlier ACS mark.DG’s manufacturer database lists both AWS and other recognised codes for Alexander Coppel / Alcoso.Furthermore, specialist research indicates that the company moved from the earlier ACS initials to AWS around 1940.Therefore, the present trademark strongly suggests a production date around the early 1940s, rather than the earliest 1939 production period.That dating fits perfectly within the Government Officials dagger’s production era.

Simulated Mother-of-Pearl Grip

One of the most elegant features is the pale yellow pearlescent grip.Two highly attractive grip scales sit within the metal hilt framework.The surface displays deep translucent swirls and varying shades of cream, ivory and pale gold.Government Officials and Diplomatic daggers commonly employed artificial or simulated mother-of-pearl celluloid grip scales, rather than genuine natural mother-of-pearl.Weitze specifically describes comparable diplomatic examples as using artificial mother-of-pearl celluloid grip scales.Accordingly, the safest catalogue description is:simulated mother-of-pearl / pearlescent celluloid grip scalesunless material analysis proves natural mother-of-pearl.The present grip appears particularly attractive and displays no obvious serious loss.

Art Deco Eagle-Head Pommel

The pommel takes the distinctive form of a stylised eagle’s head.Its geometric construction reflects the strong Art Deco influence found throughout both Government Officials and Diplomatic dagger designs.The eagle’s head remains crisply formed.Age toning has developed naturally across the silver-coloured surface, while deeper recesses retain darker oxidation.The pommel complements the flowing design of the crossguard exceptionally well.

Government Officials Eagle Crossguard

The large crossguard is one of the defining features of the dagger.A stylised national eagle extends across the entire guard.At its centre appears a wreath containing the swastika.The eagle’s head faces left, identifying the dagger as the Government Officials rather than Diplomatic Corps pattern.Fine feathering remains visible throughout the wings.Furthermore, the wreath, head, beak and central emblem retain substantial original detail.Natural dark toning occupies the recesses.Raised areas show period wear and contact brightening.Together, these features create a convincing untouched appearance.

Original Government Officials Portepee

A substantial silver-grey portepee remains tied around the crossguard and grip.The knot shows honest period wear.Silver metallic cord has mellowed considerably through age, while localised fraying is visible around heavily handled areas.This wear should not be regarded as a reason for replacement.On the contrary, an original knot remaining with a Government Officials dagger substantially increases the historical completeness of the piece.Replacing it with a modern or unrelated mint knot would diminish the coherent appearance.

Alcoso Blade

The straight double-edged blade retains substantial original brightness.A pronounced central ridge runs toward the needle-point tip.Fine factory finishing remains visible in areas, while age spotting appears principally around the maker’s mark and lower blade.The AWS Alcoso trademark remains extremely clear.No major edge damage can be seen in the supplied photographs.Importantly, the blade appears to retain a correct fit within the hilt.

Government Officials Scabbard

The original silver-coloured scabbard is particularly elaborate.Its surface consists of finely pebbled panels enclosed by raised borders.Two decorated suspension bands surround the body.Oak-leaf and acorn ornamentation appears within the fittings, while both suspension rings remain present.The surface has developed a deep, attractive grey patina.Areas of darker toning remain around the decorative relief and protected sections.This natural variation is considerably preferable to an aggressively polished finish.

Complete Government Officials Suspension Hangers

The accompanying pair of suspension straps adds greatly to the desirability of the ensemble.Both hangers display silver-brocade textile fronts with dark backing and elaborate rectangular adjustment buckles.Their fittings show the same mellow period appearance as the dagger.The pair appears complete with the upper suspension arrangement and lower clips.Government Officials hangers are difficult to locate separately.Consequently, a complete dagger with:

• scabbard;
• portepee;
• short hanger;
• long hanger;

commands a considerable premium over an isolated dagger.

Authentication Assessment

The photographs reveal a strong collection of features associated with recognised original Alcoso Government Officials daggers.Positive characteristics include:

• Government Officials left-facing crossguard eagle;
• Art Deco eagle-head pommel;
• simulated mother-of-pearl grip scales;
• correct hilt frame;
• recognised AWS Alcoso Solingen maker mark;
• proper double-edged blade;
• pebbled Government Officials scabbard;
• oak-leaf suspension fittings;
• original-style portepee;
• complete silver-brocade hangers;
• coherent period wear throughout.

Empires Past documents an Alcoso Government Officials dagger with the same general hilt construction, pearlescent grip, Alcoso maker mark and silvered scabbard.eMedals also documents original Alcoso Government Officials daggers retaining their silvered hilt and scabbard finishes and original blade buffer.Based on the supplied photographs, the ensemble presents as a strong candidate for an original period Government Officials dagger.For a dagger at this value level, final hands-on authentication should still include inspection of the grip interiors, tang, pommel nut, blade washer, scabbard screws and hanger fittings.

Condition Report

Overall condition: Very good original collector condition.

Grip

The pearlescent grip scales remain exceptionally attractive.No major missing section is evident.Natural internal colour variation gives the grip considerable depth.

Crossguard

The Government Officials eagle retains strong detail.Age toning and finish wear are evident, particularly on the high points.This produces an attractive, untouched appearance.

Pommel

The eagle-head pommel remains intact and well defined.Minor wear is appropriate to age.

Blade

The blade retains good brightness.Some age spotting and surface marking appears near the AWS Alcoso maker mark.The point remains strong.

Scabbard

The finely pebbled body remains straight and complete.Both suspension bands and rings survive.

Portepee

The knot shows moderate genuine wear and localised fraying.Nevertheless, it remains an important original-period accessory.

Hangers

The pair retains good silver brocade.Metal fittings display natural oxidation and use.

Rarity

Government Officials daggers occupy a completely different market category from Luftwaffe officer daggers.By comparison, current specialist prices for Government Officials daggers are many times higher.Lakesidetrader currently lists an Alcoso Government Official dagger at $9,999.95.Wittmann’s Government and Diplomatic section contains particularly fine examples approaching approximately $12,000.