Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A German Second War Naval Dagger previously owned by the Author Ian Fleming

A standard model 1938 Third Reich naval officers dagger with an excellent blade by Eickhorn with its full floriated blade with fouled anchors. Completely undamaged cream celluloid grip with grip wire intact, with the portapee knot in its original wrap form, gilt dull overall, no damage to the scabbard. A highly important historical artefact to a famous owner, very good condition £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of German Medals and Militaria.

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Provenance: The dagger is accompanied by a small quantity of documents, the first being an invoice dated ‘8 October 1968’, which reads ‘Paid for Nazi Naval Dirk £12. I, C (Caspar) Fleming have had my father’’s permission to sell above mentioned dirk, signed C. Fleming’. A further 21 November 1968 dated note ‘states: ‘Nazi dirk worn by Ian L. Fleming during an attempt to capture the prototype of a new E-Boat during the closing stages of the Second World War, the operation failed because the E-Boat had been returned to the docks at St.Nazaire’’; there is also a copy of this document.

How correct Casper Fleming’s description of the obtaining of the Kriegsmarine dagger by Ian Fleming is open to discussion; however, what is not in doubt is that Ian Fleming commanded 30 Assault Unit (30 AU) during the Second World War, whose objectives were to find any Third Reich prototype weapons and to extract new technology. He was with 30 AU in the field after D-Day and was personally involved in various operations in that region of France and it is during this period he would most likely have obtained the Kriegsmarine officers dagger.

This is an age restricted lot: the successful buyer will be required to either collect in person, or arrange specialist shipping.