Identified Nazi Army Officer Dagger of Knights Cross Winner

Description

This dagger belonged to Brandenburg Regiment officer and Knight’s Cross winner
Oberstleutnant Wilhelm Walther. It features bright 10″ double-edged blade of flattened
hexagonal section, showing clear cross grain; etched with maker SMF, Solingen logo on the
reverse. Alloy hilt featuring crossguard with spread-wing eagle clutching a wreath enclosing
a swastika; the reverse engraved “Walther” in script. Pommel with oak leaf decoration in
low relief; orange celluloid grip. Silver bullion portapee. Nickel-plated scabbard with
pebbled surface and two carry rings; the carry rings with oak leaf decoration in low relief.
Dagger is in near mint condition, retaining nearly all of its original finish, with no defects,
showing only minor runner marks on the blade. Comes with a binder detailing Walther’s
service, awards, photographs, signed photograph postcards, and copies of his German
service record. Also included is a brief history of the famous Brandenburg Regiment, which
performed commando raids behind enemy lines. Provenance: Karl Emil Gansberg
Collection (12/26/1932 – 11/17/2025). Gansberg spent 27 years on active duty military
service, followed by 15 years civil service with the Department of Defense. He was an avid
historian and collector of wartime memorabilia, primarily from WWII.

Oberstleutnant Wilhelm Walther was born on Januray 27, 1910 and volunteered for military
service in August, 1934. He served the majority of WWII with the Brandenburgers and was
awarded the Iron Cross First and Second Class, General Assault Badge, Black Wound
Badge, German Cross in Gold, and the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross, as well as several
lesser awards. He lived to 100, and died in Leimen, Wurtemburg, German on November
25, 2010.