Third Reich Rifle Association Hirschfänger w/Frog & Portepee.Carl Eickhorn, unevenly stamped squirrel within double-oval TM. An illustration of this Hirschfänger appears in the Eickhorn Kundendienst as Eickhorn "Vorschriftsmässiger Schützen Hirschfänger Nr. 781" (Regulation Shooting Knife Nr. 781). Nickel plated hilt fittings show minor surface wear with lifting to the plating on the edges of the fluted pommel and one speck on the slotted pommel nut, but no damage to the recurved crossguard acorn quillon tips. The oak and laurel leaf embellished clamshell shows no lifting, and is complete with Rifle Association insigne with perfect black enamel to eagle. The off-white, fluted, celluloid-over-wood grip shows age toning to obverse/reverse with one small ½" long crack on the upper obverse, but no chips or nicks, and is complete with gilt crossed rifles properly pinned to the obverse. Polished double-etched blade grades EX++ showing only minor surface wear and gray speckling on obverse/reverse ricasso and near tip, but no pitting or nicks to the cutting edge. Etch pattern features hunting scenes of a shooting target with stag and doe in forest setting on the obverse and hunting equipment hound with stag running through a forest on the reverse. Etched scenes are surrounded by oak leaf and floral motif with 100% of the gray background frosting remaining. Blade is complete with original green felt buffer pad. Dent/crease-free black leather scabbard shows only light surface wear with a few surface nicks to the leather but no rips, tears, or damage to the reverse stitching. Nickel-plated upper and lower scabbard fittings show light surface wear/age patina with one tiny depression to the obverse lower fitting, but no lifting or crazing and are attached to the scabbard shell without retaining staples. The black leather double-stitched frog grades EX+ showing surface wear/age, but no rips or tear and no damage to the stitching. Attached to the lower hilt is a green/silver Army NCO bayonet portepee that appears original to the piece and shows age and wear commensurate with the hirschfänger. Army NCO bayonet portepees have been also been encountered on other Rifle Association, Forestry and Hunting hirschfängers by JRB&M. Nice textbook Eickhorn example recently obtained in Germany. EX+/EX++ (26040) $2,195. SOLD