Very Rare WW2 German RAD Officers Czechoslovakian Dagger by WKC

Here on offer is what I believe to be a very rare example of a WW2 RAD Officers Czechoslovakian Dagger by WKC, Solingen.

I have owned this dagger for over 30 years and have been puzzled as to its construction and use?

I was really pleased to see that the exact same type of dagger was recently listed on Tom Wittmann’s Militaria web site. Tom Wittmann is a world famous collector, author and authority on German edged Weapons and I truly value his knowledge.

The dagger is unusual in that it has an enlisted RAD man's style hilt and a RAD officer's blade and scabbard.

Tom states that he believes these where made especially for German RAD leader’s that may have been assigned to Prague or one of the German occupied districts in Bohemia and Moravia.

It appears that the RAD Hewer style hilt has been lightly trimmed on the crossguard area around the lower quillion. This trimming or thinning of the area makes the hilt flow much nicer with the scabbard.
The ferrule and beak area at the pommel appear to be the same as a standard RAD Hewer.

The plating throughout the hilt is in excellent condition with no lifting and with a lovely dark patina finish.

Instead of the normal stag plates you would find on a RAD Hewer, the RAD officer's stlye of ivorine or celluloid grip plates have been fitted. These grip plates are in excellent condition and have been skilfully cut and fit the grip area perfectly. The front plate does not sit totally flat against the metal hilt as the folded metal tags on the back of the metal insignia are holding it in a slightly raised position. There is also a very small grove cut in the front plate just above the enamel emblem. The plates are held in place by two original screws with threaded circular nuts.

In the centre of the front grip plate front, is an enamelled Hitler Youth ‘shield’ insignia, the type of which apparently were used in Czechoslovakia during WW2. The insignia consists of the black enamel swastika within a silver diamond which is inlaid in a shield shaped device, having red enamel edges with white enamel centre. There is a slight chip to the white enamel near the swastika emblem.

The scabbard is a standard RAD officer example, with the exception that it does not have any screw holes or screws fitted to retain the scabbard throat. The silvering finish is in excellent condition, with a tiny area missing near the tip and a couple of tiny lifts on the reverse. The right edge has the two carrying brackets that are in the shape of ‘ears’.

The plated blade is the RAD officer's type, and it is in excellent overall condition, measuring 10.25” (26cm) in length. On the front of the blade is etched the RAD motto "Arbeit adelt" in gothic text, which retains some of its original background darkening.

The reverse ricasso is etched with the knighthead trademark, beneath which are the initials of the firm and its location, "WKC Solingen". There are some runner marks to both sides of the blade otherwise; this blade is in excellent condition.

The dagger fits tightly into its scabbard and inserted measures 15.9” (40.4cm) long and weighs a heavy 600g.

All I can say is this is a rare opportunity to own what must be one of the rarest types of RAD officer’s dagger ever made at a very resonable price.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 50212