Early Gold Fire Official's Dagger. Stamped squirrel above "C.E." within single oval (Carl Eickhorn) circa 1920TM. A photograph of this pattern dagger appears on page 222 of Collecting The Edged Weapons Of Imperial Germany Volume I with a photograph of the trademark on page 228 of the same reference. Gold-plated hilt fittings feature a bulbous style pommel with raised with raised floral motif and crossguard with fireman's helmet on the quillon block and "clover leaf" quillons as seen on Eickhorn examples. As stated on page 221 of the above reference the gold daggers "are thought to have been carried by senior personnel". Hilt fittings show surface wear primarily to the upper pommel and ferrule with no loss of plating to crossguard. Black leather covered grip with double-twisted, gold wire wrap grades MINT with no wear, rips or tears. Polished, double-etched blade measuring 13 3/8" in length grades EX++ showing minor surface wear and some light gray shadowing, but no nicks cutting edges. Both obverse and reverse feature 9" long frosted panels with raised floral motifs flanking motifs of fire equipment to include helmet, hook and ladder and fire hoses. Blade is complete with brown felt blade buffer pad. Black leather scabbard is perfect with no creases, rips, tears, or damage to the reverse stitching. Dent-free, upper and lower fittings show only minor surface wear/age patina with no damage to gilding, and are complete with both retaining staples as well as double suspension rings. EX+ (25774) $1,895. SOLD