BACKGROUND: Traditionally German Army Officers had worn a saber as part of the uniform dress and this tradition was carried on through the Weimar era and on into the Third Reich. In an attempt to build morale and curry favour within the Army, Hitler introduced the dress dagger for optional wear by Officers with the walking out dress, and retained the saber for wear on more formal occasions. The dress dagger was designed by Berlin graphic artist Paul Casberg and was officially approved for wear on May 4TH 1935 along with specifically styled dagger hangers and a new pattern portepee. Production of the dress dagger was to be discontinued as per regulations of May 27TH 1943 and further wear of the dress dagger was prohibited by order of September 5TH 1944. Additional regulations of December 23RD 1944 indicated that officer ranks were to wear a pistol in place of the dress dagger. The Officer’s dagger hangers were manufactured in a couple of slightly different versions with the standard version pattern and a private purchase, more ornate, deluxe pattern. This example is the deluxe pattern.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice complete set of officers dagger hangers. Nice untouched original condition, ready for a dagger display.