Help needed in identifying an unusual German/Axis dagger

[GREAKLY]

Does anybody know to which country this dagger belongs:

http://forum.axishistory.com/downloa...2273&mode=view

It's made by Alcoso in a typical German style and quality. So this is clearly not some sort of hand-made fantasy piece. Judging by the style of manufacture, I'd date it sometime between 1930-ties and 1940-ties. Since it was made by a German company I assume that it must have been a German dagger or from one of the axis countries. But it could also be from one of those "Latin American contracts", which German dagger makers were actively doing after WWII.

This dagger has three distinct pieces of heraldry, which might help to identify its origin: the double-headed eagle, the winged female figure (Nike-?) and a crown. The eagle is the easiest one. The following countries have (or had) it on their coat of arms:

Albania
Armenia
Austria (1934–1938)
Austria-Hungary
Byzantine Empire
German Confederation
Holy Roman Empire
Kingdom of Mercia (527–918)
Montenegro
Kingdom of Mysore
Russian Empire
Russian Federation
Seljuk Empire
Serbia
Serbian Empire
Kingdom of Serbia
Spanish Empire (during the Habsburg dynasty)
Kingdom of Yugoslavia

It also appears on other coats of arms and flags, including the flag of the Greek Orthodox Church, the arms and flag of the Hellenic Army General Staff and the Hellenic Army XVI Infantry Division, a number of cities in Germany, Netherlands and Serbia, the arms and flag of the city of Toledo, Spain, and the arms of the town of Velletri, Italy.

However, given that the double-headed eagle does not have crowns, the time frame and some other factors the list becomes VERY narrow:

Albania
Austria (1934–1938)
German Confederation (some sort of jubilee)
Greece
Montenegro
Serbia/Yugoslavia
Spain
some city

To me the eagle looks closest to the one of the German Confederation or the Reichsflotte of the mid-19th Century. As for the other two pieces of insignia (winged female figure and crown) - I have no idea. Does anybody know what they could mean in connection with the double-headed eagle? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Schlange]

Kingdom of Yugoslavia / Serbia had completely different types of daggers.
You can remove Yugoslavia from the list.

Schlange

http://www.mojalbum.com/schlange88/albumi

[Billy G]

The dagger could have been a gift for a visiting dignitary.

[GREAKLY]

Kingdom of Yugoslavia / Serbia had completely different types of daggers.
You can remove Yugoslavia from the list.

This dagger doesn't look like ANY of the daggers from ANY of the countries on the list. This is definitely a prototype. The question is, from which country? In my opinion, the key is the winged female figure. If someone could remember which country has this as its heraldic symbol, that would solve the puzzle.

[GREAKLY]

The dagger could have been a gift for a visiting dignitary.

A gift from which country? Even if we assume post-1945 Germany (no svastika, eagle), it still does not explain, why the eagle is double-headed and why there is a crown on the cross-guard.

[Billy G]

Since the item was made within Germany, I presume it was a German gift to the dignitary or diplomat of another country, not the other way around. Presumably someone affiliated with a royal family.

[Ed Sunday]

Looks like that's a Spanish air force dagger IMO.

[Schlange]

Spain Air Force dagger have different crossguard, mostly with the Spanish coat of arms.
Mainly for accurate dating, it would be desirable to see the type Alcoso Solingen marker.

Schlange

http://www.mojalbum.com/schlange88/albumi

[saar]

This dagger doesn't look like ANY of the daggers from ANY of the countries on the list. This is definitely a prototype. The question is, from which country? In my opinion, the key is the winged female figure. If someone could remember which country has this as its heraldic symbol, that would solve the puzzle.

'The winged female figure' is the Winged Goddess of Victory aka Goddess Nike. In Greek mythology. It is a well-known interpretation, she holds a palm frond in her right hand.

[AndyB]

The doubble eagle must be not the exact heraldic crest of the country. The crown looks like typical for some kingdoms one of it is Romania.
Postwar Austria and Albania has both other form of eagle.

[GREAKLY]

Spain Air Force dagger have different crossguard, mostly with the Spanish coat of arms.

Here it is:

http://forum.axishistory.com/downloa...2274&mode=view

[Schlange]

This mark is used by Alcoso Solingen in period between 1936 -1937/8.
(Assuming that these dagger is original from these period.)

Schlange

http://www.mojalbum.com/schlange88/albumi

[heers68]

Sorry, I dont have any idea, but it is a very nice looking piece! Kevin.

[cogwheel]

During the 1960s and 1970s Eickhorn and Hoerster produced daggers for Latin American countries. I don't have the export catalogs for that time but the dagger styles were based on Luftwaffe and Navy designs of WWII Germany. These LW style daggers were worn by Air Force cadets of Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Columbia, Venezuela etc. They all carried their respective Coat of Arms. Some of those are shown in Kurt Glemser's books 'A Guide to Military Dress Daggers' volumes I to VI. One thing is for certain, the dagger in question was made AFTER WWII and, most likely, in Germany for export.

[luftwaffenkopf]

how about Chile?