Personalized Imperial M-1901 Navy Dagger w/Max Dinger Damascus Blade Belonging to Kapitänleutnant & Pour le Merite Recipient & Later Luftwaffe General & Knight's Cross Recipient Rudolf (Ralph) Wenninger. "No-neck", Knight's Helmet, (WK&C) & crossed sabers above G.B & S. (George Bartling & Söhne, Naval outfitter, Kiel) double TM. As stated on pages 60-61 of The Sword and Knife Makers of Germany 1850-2000, Volume I, A-L by the late Anthony Carter, "Several imperial Naval officers' dirks with Damascus blades, made by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie between 1902 and 1914 have been recorded with the G.B.&S. trademarks on the blades". This dagger is from the collection of noted collector and author Kurt Glemser, and is described and pictured on pages 69-74 of A Guide to Military Dress Daggers, Volume I by Mr. Glemser. Gilded brass hilt fittings show surface wear with traces of gilting remaining in recesses of open crown pommel with a "squared", engraved cross on top of crown and large capstan style crossguard and heavy quillon block with raised style anchor motif. Genuine ivory grip shows light surface wear age with light age toning and several hairline cracks on the lower obverse, and along the left and right edges, but no chips, and is complete with twisted brass wire wrap. Double-fullered, "maiden hair" Damascus blade measuring 9 ½" in length, grades Exc++, showing light surface wear/age with one tiny nick to center left cutting edge, and is complete with tan blade buffer pad. The blade tang is marked with Max Dinger's "M + D" Angelsignatur as well as the number "20" which matches the number on the internal crossguard and brass buffer pad. Deluxe/variation, brass, lightning bolt scabbard features stylized acanthus leaves with floral rosettes and a ribbed lower ball and rope pattern, "reef knot" suspension bands. Scabbard show light surface wear/age patina with a small depression to the lower obverse above the acanthus leaves. The reverse scabbard is jeweler engraved between the scabbard bands with the name, "Ralph Wenninger" in block letters. Attached to the dagger is the original Navy sword portepee as pictured in the above reference by Mr. Glemser. Included with the dagger are two thick research files with photographs, compiled by noted researcher Robert McDivitt and Mr. Glemser, a microfiche of the U-boat diary, as well as a collection of 21 books mentioning the exploits of Herr Wenninger in the Imperial Navy, and later as a General Officer in the Luftwaffe. Nice personalized Imperial example w/Max Dinger Damascus blade, and large research file. Exc++ (24968) $15,000.