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Hermann Goring Dagger Collection

 

Goring Dagger
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Goring Dagger #1
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Goring Dagger#1
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Goring Dagger #1
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Goring Dagger #1
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Goring Dagger #1
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Goring Dagger #1
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Goring Dagger #1
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Goring Dagger #1
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Goring dagger #1
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Goring Dagger #1
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Goring Dagger #1
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HERMANN GORING DAGGER #1

DESCRIPTION: The first one is elaborate to a royal extreme, and may very well have been a sidearm of a reigning monarch or, at least, perhaps, the Landed Gentry, and was used in the grandiose hunting expeditions of those exciting years. The decoration that adorns this magnificent piece is astounding to perceive even to the most experienced connoisseurs of this particular sport as practiced and often called "The Sport of Kings." Hunting in this period was actually done from horseback and these elaborate weapons were professionally used in the actual killing of the prey, whether deer or boar. In Thomas Johnson’s series of books, "Collecting the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich", the author mentions throughout the volumes that Hermann Goring's passion for collecting all sorts of edged weapons knew no bounds, and there are dozens of photos of magnificent blades that were presented to him or ordered by him to be made. Many party officials, industrialists, and others, who thought it prudent to curry favor with this, the second most powerful man in the Third Reich, lavished gifts upon him. These tokens of friendship were very often swords and daggers (see page 314 of Volume III of Johnson's series). Here you will see the head man of the Sicherheitsdienst, Reinhard Heydrich, presenting to Goring, who was then Reichsmarshal, what appears to be an older-type hunting dagger. It was customary for party and military personal to present him with the finest of antique cutlery, when such fine artistic treasures were available. Goring loved them all and undoubtedly loved this one in particular, since it rather says it all! in its very "busy" presentation. There are all sorts of things going on along the grip and scabbard of this prestigious museum relic. This is the sort of piece that Hermann would have added to the collection and décor of his home rather than actually wearing it. Author Thomas Johnson bears this out on page 304 of Volume III of edged-weapons books. The piece that we present here to the collecting public is one of the best ever encountered as far as hunting pieces are concerned, and the longest in length ever encountered. From the magnificent wolf’s head on down the weapon is, to an exceptional degree, bustling with animal life. The cross guard is especially interesting as the exuberant hunting hound really strains while ascending the rococo-style guard in order to successfully pursue and catch the sly fox that taunts him from the tip of the guard's other end. At the upper portion just above the cross guard a magnificent eagle clutches a fresh kill in the form of a migratory bird of some type. The clamshell guard bears a wild boar being pursued by another hunting hound. The portion of the scabbard that is in metal that supports the area where the skinning knife will be found has two wonderful mountain deer in noble pose. The center band has an owl perched upon a scroll-style Gothic ribbon. The tip on one side has a stately waterfowl that has caught a water snake and is in the act of devouring him, while on the other side a pheasant is in flight. Beautiful floral design flows throughout the whole rendering of this hirshfanger extraordinaire!


Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger#2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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Goring Dagger #2
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HERMANN GORING DAGGER #2

DESCRIPTION: This particular piece defies the imagination as far as magnificent cutlery is concerned. It is the personification of what Reichsmarshal Goring would have wanted in his excellent collection of edged weapons. It is a "Gothic birthday cake" in form and interestingly enough he was given this or perhaps he gave it to himself (as he was prone to do!) on his birthday in 1937. In any case, if any piece ever shouted "Goring!" this is the one. It incorporates every idea that he perceived about the "Sport of the Kings ". No matter what may otherwise be said of him, Hermann Goring was indeed an aristocrat and a man of impeccable taste in the arts. Often called the modern-age "Falstaff," he collected artistic works with a passion. His Karinhalle country estate was filled to the brim with the finest accumulation of treasures that Europe has ever collectively seen in one grouping. Especially dear to him were the collection of hunting-related paintings, bronzes, guns, and edged weapons; the latter, especially, as borne out in several books on this subject. So, we ask that if there were ever a hunting dirk more spectacular than this one then we await its revelation. The origin of this piece is at this point unknown, that is, before it joined at the collection in Karinhalle. There is a strong possibility that this may have been an item that goes back into Goring’s family before he was born and then embellished by Herbert Zeitner for the Reichsmarshal in 1940 and presented to him. In any case it is stupendous as far as the artwork is concerned. At the top cap of the grip there is the wild boar that would have been seen in a giant edition on the grounds of Karinhalle and today can be viewed in front of the entranceway to the Deutsche Jagdmuseum, "German Hunting Museum," in Munich. Moving down into the grip or handle we encounter a wonderful rendering in relief of a medieval hunter, who, accompanied by his hounds, is seen drawing his hirshfanger in preparation for the hunt. On the reverse side is his female counterpart, who is also ready for the day’s hunt as she readies her pursuit falcon while her dogs excitedly jump up at the ready for their mistress's call of "horrido!" Translation-The chase is on! Below this on the obverse is the traditional stag's head as employed on so many Reich hunting pieces and, incidentally, was later chosen as the symbol of the various forestry and hunting associations to include the Deutsche Jagerverein that was instituted by Reichsmarshal Goring, himself. This design is supported on each side by two fierce-looking foxes while symmetrically we have on the other side two hunting dogs that are perhaps looking for the foxes? In the middle of this is the Goring "G" in Gothic lettering. On the scabbard throat below is the full Goring crest that sits gloriously below a ribbon that proclaims "Schorfheide12 1 1937," Goring's birthday. No presenter is evident, but there is an interesting mystery connected to this dagger that may never be solved and is utterly fascinating. At the right side of the languet at the bottommost portion almost completely hidden away is a tiny-cut, jeweler-set emerald that looks completely out of place and can hardly be noticed. If it were not pointed out to us we would most assuredly not have found it at all. This may, in Germanic tradition born of the ages, be either the signature of the artist or possibly of the person presenting the piece to the Reichsmarshal. This setting of a logo is in keeping with Teutonic tradition and would have been a touch that Goring would have immensely enjoyed.The cross guards are formed on their ends with stylized gargoyles. It occurs from their well-formed breasts that they are obviously the female of the species. Their haranguing mouths may give some indication of this, as well (Just kidding!) The scabbard's throat is covered with a relief design on the front side with an oak-leaf wreath wherein a panoply of hunting equipment is to be seen. On the scabbard tip is another panoply of Gothic design where mighty Teutonic knights' swords are formed. This is, as we have stated, "Goring, all the way," to say nothing of the fact that it stands as a silent testimony of the superlative workmanship of the artistic achievements of the blade makers of the Western world.

 

 

Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger#3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger#3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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Goring dagger #3
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Goring Dagger #3
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HERMANN GORING DAGGER #3

DESCRIPTION: This is the crème de la crème of Goring edged weapons in as far as pieces that were made for him exclusively are archived. Again, we do not know who gave it to him, but since it is an Austrian blade instead of the usual Solingen-produced article, we can make a rather safe assumption that this may have been a presentation made by the Austrian branch of the Deutsche Jagerverein. Hermann Goring instituted this organization and he was elevated not only to the head of it in Germany, but also for all the territories coming under German influence and leadership. With a little extrapolation and romantic license it is easy to suppose that this magnificent weapon was presented at the time of the Austrian Anchlus that Goring worked so diligently to bring about! This dagger is without a doubt one of the most beautiful he treasured for personal wear when indulging in his beloved hunting sports. Starting at the top or finial there is the engraved armored arm with a ring clutched in the hand that is an integral part of the Goring coat of arms. Then of course there are the obligatory oak leaves that invariably adorn every hirshfanger ever produced in Germany; however, these leaves are peculiar to Goring's style that can be perceived on many of the items of his personal usage. Above the cross guard is a band that rings the staghorn grip and inserted within are 10 jeweler-set garnets that give a rich and medieval look to this beautifully designed piece. (Then comes the touch that gives the ultimate uniqueness to this magnificent weapon.) The cross guard is formed like a mantle of sculptured deer hide with the rich flowing hair wonderfully detailed as it is supported by two hooves that form the ends of the guard. In the center of this design is a wonderful rendition of the St. Hubertus stag with a swastika between the antlers and an unfurled ribbon with "D.J." for Deutsche Jagerverein.This is represented quite "heroically." The scabbard is also unique in that it is formed with metallic overlay with "hunting green-"colored wood underneath and hand-engraved oak-leaf design throughout. The design that forms over the wood is composed of intertwined odelrunes done in the style taken from the Teutonic and Celtic past and used constantly on Third Reich artistic offerings. The upper throat of the dagger sheath has the Goring-family crest and it does show some wear, as this is the portion that would rub against the tunic as it is worn however, overall, the dagger is in remarkably good condition. The blade is one of the finest pieces of the Damascus art that we have ever had the pleasure to view. This is from the workshop of the brothers Maurer in Vienna and this signature is to be seen on the back of the blade almost where the cross guard meets the tang. The piece is thought to be the work of combined artists in that the logo of Herbert Zeitner, Goring's favorite silversmiths and goldsmith, are to be found at the top of the oblong washer under the cross guard. This cannot be seen unless the entire piece is disassembled and there it is revealed, the stylized "Z," for Zeitner, with the cross bars and the obligatory crown, and 850 for silver content. There are also such markings on the lip of the scabbard .The crown moon and 850 with Berlin are to be seen there. This elegantly designed dagger will join the other incredible Hermann Goring weapons that are now archived in the U. S. in various fine collections and museums. It doesn’t take a back seat to any of them for sheer beauty and wonderful design. Unser Hermann must have been as particularly proud of this weapon as we are proud to offer it to the collectors and historians of our chosen field.

 

 

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