Deluxe Short Third Reich Era Hunting Hirschfänger w/RARE Retailer's Mark. No maker. As stated on page 124 of The Sword And Knife Makers Of Germany 1850-2000 Volume 1 by the late Anthony Carter, the G. Eckenhoff "firm was presumably a retailer specializing in uniforms, sidearms and equipment for the State Forestry Service (Reichsforstbeamte). Several forester's sidearms made by Solingen firms have been marked G. ECKENHOFF NACHF. BERLIN." The obverse ricasso of this Hirschfänger, recently obtained in the state of Pennsylvania, is so marked. Heavily chased, gilted hilt fittings show surface wear to highlights,( primarily to the crossguard clamshell) with portions of gilting remaining in the recesses of the deluxe oak leaf embellished pommel cap with RARE triple oak leaf/acorn sprig pommel nut, ferrule and recurved crossguard with raised boar's head on the obverse/reverse guillon block as well as the clamshell which features a reclining stag in forest setting. Dark brown, staghorn grip is perfect with no cracks or chips, and is complete with three gilt/brass oak leaf and acorn sprigs attached to the obverse. Polished, lightly double-etched blade measuring 29.8cm in length grades EX/EX+ showing light surface wear/runner marks with some light gray speckling/shadowing, but no pitting or nicks to cutting edge. Etched panels measuring 24.5cm in length (within 7/8" of blade tip) appear to be a variation of a WKC etch pattern. The obverse blade features the WKC etch pattern with stag and doe in forest, but with the addition, at the ricasso, of a single hunter holding rifle in the carry position with hunting dog in background. The reverse etch features the WKC etch pattern with hunting dog stalking foxes, but with the addition, at the ricasso, of a large stag in a forest setting. Lightly etched background shows runner marks to the gray frosting with a few gray age specks, but no pitting. Blade spine features a raised laurel leaf motif running the length of the etch, and is complete with black leather blade buffer pad. Black leather scabbard grades near MINT showing only faint age with no rips or tears and no damage to the reverse stitching. Dent-free, gold washed scabbard fittings show light wear with one spot of oxidation to upper fitting where a frog rubbed the finish on the obverse and reverse and on the reverse and near the tip of the lower fitting. Both fittings feature an engraved oak leaf motif on the obverse and are complete with undamaged retaining staples. Upper fitting features a RARE triple oak leaf/acorn suspension lug, as well as a single suspension ring. This is the first time JRB&M has offered this pattern Hunting Hirschfänger as well as the first time we have encountered the RARE Eckenhoff retailer's mark. EX+/EX++ (23876) $2,100.SOLD