WWII German Army (Heer) dress dagger was first authorized for army personnel to carry in 1935. The dagger, as was all officer uniforms, a privately purchased item. The original dagger design was well received and featured a silvered exterior with a white or colored grip. The crossguard design depicted a Wehrmacht, (Army) open-winged eagle clutching a wreathed swastika in its talons. The pommel depicted a pattern of vertical standing oak leaves and acorns around its outer circumference. The scabbard body had two panels of a random pebbled design with two oak leaf and acorn designed bands. The early examples featured; brass or tombac based fittings that were quality plated, tapered tang blades and trylon slant grips. Later produced examples transitioned to; zinc based fittings, celluloid plaster grips, and were finished in a natural gray metal.