( ALCOSO 2nd - similar To : None )   This is one of the largest eagles you will find on a German army dagger cross-guard, the overall length coupled with the large wreath / swastika means that the lower edge of the wreath often contacts the upper scabbard band. It is unmistakable in hand and also by design. It has the typical Alcoso sharp angle to the lower wing, the head of the eagle is level with the top of the guard and the head has a sharp down-turned beak. The wing shape is a tell tale sign of Alcoso marked daggers due to the dramatic rise and very pointed wing tips. The later two types utilized by Alcoso are normally matched with the typical flared pommel, easily recognizable as an ACS dagger, the 1st and 2nd styles normally have early 14 leaf pommels. This cross-guard was cast just before standardization was introduced and as such it is normally found with high quality brass based early materials and plating. This 2nd pattern cross-guard is rarely encountered due to the short period it was in production and good detailed examples are hard to find, it is not the prettiest design by far but for sheer proportions Alcoso was making a statement.

( ALCOSO 3rd - Similar To : Eickhorn 1st )   Note the gentle upward curve of the final section of the wing in comparison to the Eickhorn, smaller eye detail, an outward slope to the lower beak and a rounder body to name a few. The 3rd style was prone to wear due to the inferior base metal utilized. Some early Alcoso German army daggers have been observed with cross-guards made of a magnetic base metal, possibly a steel or iron based alloy and may account for the loss of detailing over time. It is believed the base metal was brass coated before receiving its final silver plating and has been observed on the 2nd & 3rd style eagles.

( ALCOSO 4th - Similar To : None )   Commonly referred too as the "Hi-Lift" design or cross-guard from Alcoso, it differs hugely from all other cross-guards manufactured during the period. With a raised profile to the whole eagle and sharp detailing to the head, you are given the impression of an almost 3D like appearance to the eagle. Produced late in the period and from a struggling Jewish owned company, the base metals are normally inferior which normally would equate to a worn a poorly defined cross-guard some 60+ years later. However due to the raised eagle, the majority of daggers bearing this design hold up very well. Note also the raised wing section midway along the upper spline, unique in the world of German army dagger cross-guards. Most will utilize poor base metals and plating techniques due to the timeframe of manufacture and restrictions on resources however quality examples do exist, with good base metals and thick silver plate. An inspirational Art Deco and innovative design that was in production at the same time the founder of the Alcoso company  ( Alexander Coppel ) was interned at Terezin concentration camp.

( EICKHORN 1st - Similar To : Eickhorn 2nd )   On all 3 designs by Eickhorn you can visually see the progression of one eagle to the next. This early guard is rarely encountered and although similar to the 2nd design there are differences to the legs, size of the swastika and breast feathering. The quillions are also noticeably thinner. This type was also heavily hand enhanced so variations will exist.
Early examples utilizing the 1st and sometimes the 2nd pattern will occasionally be found with C.E. stamped onto the blade tang, with plated or polished blades. Slant grip German army daggers by Carl Eickhorn are extremely rare. Eickhorn also must have held a large stock of parts throughout production as it is relatively common to find early parts mixed with slightly later dagger configurations.

Courtesy of the V.B collection.

( EICKHORN 2nd - Similar To : Alcoso 3rd & Horster 4th )   Normally seen cast in superior base-metals with fittings to match and silver plated. Similar to Horsters last design but with differences to the cut of the breast feathering and body shape and sharpness to the rear of the head. The second pattern was more widely used on the earlier daggers by Eickhorn, and is sometimes wrongly attributed the title of the type 1.
This Carl Eickhorn cross-guard differs from the 1st in that the swastika has a thinner neater stamped appearance, the inverted "V" between the eagles legs has gone and the wreath is crisper with a much sharper design.

( EICKHORN 3rd - Similar To : Eickhorn 2nd )   The head of the previous pattern Eickhorn cross-guard was carried over into the third design but with the addition of a wider stockier body and enhanced breast feathering, again this design was only used for a short period and can be classed as rare.
Note, on this design by Carl Eickhorn the general detailing is normally very crisp and with the higher body and wider pattern to the feathering means it is far less susceptible to wear and tear.

Courtesy of the V.B collection.

( EICKHORN 4th - Similar To : Eickhorn 3rd )   The final design and by far the most numerous, and bears the addition of another head design, added to the body carried over from the previous design. This bird is more commonly known as the type 2, which we now know to be wrong and should in fact be the type 4. The body height has been reduced and is more squat and rounded bringing the eagles head down and central to the upper arms of the eagles wings. The pencil like appearance of the legs has gone and most daggers by Eickhorn with this cross-guard will have the flat scabbard bands and ferrule.

( E-PACK 1st - Similar To : Heller & Henckels )   Early 1st style pack normally observed with thick silvering and brass base material, the head has a unique shape and notice how high the inverted "V" between the eagles legs rises into the body. Commonly seen with heavy hand enhancing and observed on many early German daggers by the smaller cottage manufacturers who purchased their parts from Pack. This pattern was probably the most widely used cross-guard on early German daggers by any maker and although many lack fine detail, it was also one of the most widely used and chiseled or enhanced. Rated as common, it must be said that NO early slant gripped dagger can be classed as prolific due to the limited amount of time that they were in production, however in comparison to other early cross-guards it was hard to rate this one any differently.

( E-PACK 2nd - Similar To : None )   The cross-guard shown above, I believe is a new undocumented variation from E-Pack and was possibly only used for a short time or as a transitional pattern between the Pack 1st and 3rd. It can be found on some early slant grip Pack German army daggers bearing the earliest trademark and differs from E-Packs 1st recognized pattern with differences to the body weave pattern, lower leg feathering, and head shape. The wreath, swastika and wings are almost identical to the Pack 1st.
This cross-guard can also be found on early slant grip German daggers by Spitzer.

( E-PACK 3rd - Similar To : Holler 2nd )   Made of lightweight base metal but still observed with hand enhancing late into the period. Very similar to the Holler 2nd who are thought to have purchased from a sub-contractor and modified to suit, there are differences in the wreath work, breast feathering and beak shape. The Holler variation nearly always has a circular punched eye, compared to the highly detailed eye on the Pack. Although this pattern was cast and produced later in the period they can also be found with hand enhancing which is a testament to E-Packs attention to detail and quality of product throughout the period.
A few rare examples of this design have been found in satin aluminium with no evidence of ever being silver plated, this unique finish can sometimes be mistaken on later Pack cross-guards that originally utilized an aluminium base alloy, silver plated, that has been lost to time.

( E-PACK 4th - Similar To : None )   This example by E-Pack was known as a generic type and was used or purchased by several other German dagger makers of aluminium hilted early army daggers. This variety of fittings by one of the most desirable makers, makes the aluminium type dagger the most sought after German army dagger, by advanced army dagger collectors Worldwide. Some later produced army daggers utilizing pot metal or aluminium base metals are sometimes mistaken for this specific type of cross-guard due to the loss or absorption of the silver plating. Originals normally have the typical brushed aluminium appearance and were rarely silver plated although examples do exist.
Similar in design to the 3rd pattern standard Pack cross-guard there are enough differences for it to be considered unique.

Courtesy of the T.K. collection.

( HERDER - Similar To : Generic B & Wingen 2nd )   The differences on German daggers between these three styles of cross-guard is marginal and confusing especially on eagles with little detailing. The body structure on the Herder is slightly more upright than the generic B and there is no dip between upper head and beak. It sometimes will require magnification to be sure. Herder and Wingen also had a preference for nickel plating their German officers daggers which can sometimes be used to differentiate from the Generic B variety.
The Herder, Wingen and Generic B cross-guards, in my opinion are the hardest to distinguish if the dagger is not maker marked.

( HOLLER 1st - Similar To : Alcoso 1st )   As with most early examples this German cross-guard by Holler is normally seen made of a heavy base metal and heavily silver plated. The 1st pattern Holler bears a resemblance to the Alcoso 1st but has a neater crisper design with differences to the head and body shape and subtle differences to the upper leg. Also note the more dramatic rise to the inner spline of the wing, either side of the head, in comparison to the ACS1.
Some early Hollers show a crescent moon tool mark on the head to the right of the eye and is a sure sign of Holler production. Nearly always matched with a slant grip and early 14 leaf pommel. As with most early produced German Army daggers these early Alcoso's are no exception, using quality materials and expertly hand chased, they are every advanced collectors dream.

Courtesy of the V.B. collection.

( HOLLER 2nd - Similar To : E-Pack 3rd, Holler 4th, Weyersburg 3rd )   A scarce and rarely observed cross-guard that originally must have come from the same source as the E-Pack 3rd. Normally seen with a more defined cross pattern to the breast area and a rounder or stubbier look to the head and beak. 
Holler is thought to have used the 2nd style as a transitional part and for a short time only between the 1st and 3rd style crossguard, however they returned to use it again during the late stages of the war. Either example can be considered rare and the easiest way to spot one is the circular punched eye, in comparison with the lazy eye appearance of Pack produced German army daggers. Early Holler examples will normally have the half crescent tool mark to the rear of the head and 3 chisel marks to the neck of the eagle, as well as 2 acorns hand cut to finish off the scabbard bands.
Late war examples of this design by Holler do not have this handwork and should have a generic scabbard.
Courtesy of Ian @ SD

( HOLLER 3rd - Similar To : None )   The 3rd pattern Holler is the most common style observed on German army daggers produced by this manufacturer. The appearance is unique and the detail normally stands up well with little or no wear. The head shape and parrot like beak are a dead give-away as is the broad ^ shaped feathering above the legs. It is not known to have been used by any other manufacturer of German army officers dagger during the 4-5 years that this template was produced, and any dagger displaying this cross-guard, not plain bladed or maker marked Holler should be viewed with caution.
It can be found on daggers with and without a tapered blade tang and some blades display cross-grain running down the central portion of the blade rather than across it, another characteristic unique to Holler.

( HOLLER 4th - Similar To : E-Pack 3rd, Holler 2nd , Weyersburg 3rd )   This 4th and final design from Holler is often confused with both the Holler 2nd and E-Pack 3rd crossguards. Using the same basic design originally produced by Pack there are major differences in the finishing and details to the eagle. Most Hollers will have a circular punched eye ( not always ) and a different cut to the chest pattern weave observed on the Pack 3rd.
 Holler used this pattern twice during the period, the earlier 2nd pattern crossguard from Holler normally displays more defined hand work and chiseling to the birds head and wreath, the later 4th will normally only have a simple circular punched eye, and be fitted with a Generic type scabbard.
 Both the Holler 2nd and 4th can be considered scarce due to the short amount of time that they where in production.

( HORSTER 1st - Similar To : None )   The body appears squat and undersized in comparison with other designs and is normally observed with heavy broad feathering to the chest area, the beak is sharp downward facing, the head is large and close to the top of the guard. The feet almost appear to come straight out from the underside of the body with little evidence of legs, also early Horsters display a raised circular platform beneath the swastika unique to this maker and Klass. This stocky, pronounced eagle normally displays strong detail and holds up well overtime to handling wear even after 60+ years. I am yet to see a flattened worn example. This early offering from Horster can be considered rare.
 One of my personal favorites, crisp and pronounced design, a good representation of an eagle and always found matched with quality base metals and plating.

( HORSTER 2nd - Similar To : Eickhorn 2nd)   The similarities between the Horster 2nd & Eickhorn 2nd are very close indeed as the heads are virtually identical. Look for a shorter neck, more defined chequered patterning to the breast area and the inner wing feathering showing more horizontal on the Horster. This pattern is normally found with a zinc alloy or pot metal cheap base metal and lightly silver plated, and should only be found on later production daggers. Look at the breast pattern to quickly distinguish between this Horster pattern and the Eickhorn 2nd.
 The 2nd  and 3rd pattern Horster's shown in Mr Wittmans excellent Army dagger reference book on page 38/39 are in my opinion a Herder or Wingen ( page 38 ) and a WKC 2nd Transitional ( page 39 ). Horster therefore only produced two cross-guards themselves, both shown above.

( KLAAS 1st - Similar To : Klaas 2nd )   While both the 1st and 2nd Klaas cross-guards look similar there are major differences in certain areas for both designs to be considered unique. It is also difficult to establish which pattern was the first one released as both can be found on the earliest slant grip German Army daggers by Klaas and also non-slanted period daggers. Although normally found with heavy hand enhancing and chiseller work to both patterns, there also exists a totally un-enhanced version. ( examples needed ).
 The above pattern normally features a smaller slimmer swastika, smaller swirls to both quillions and non-rounded inner wing splines either side of the eagles head. There is also little evidence of a raised pedestal under the swastika which is normally obvious on the 2nd pattern cross-guard.
The easiest and most reliable method of determining the difference between a Klaas 1st and a Klaas 2nd cross-guard is to count the wing feathering sections on each wing. The 1st will have 5 sections, the later 2nd pattern Klaas displays only four.

 I am looking to setup a page dedicated to Klaas Army daggers, please contact me if you can help with high res pictures featuring either of the above cross-guards.

( KLAAS 2nd - Similar To : Klaas 1st )   Probably the most intricate design encountered on any German army dagger with the exception of some early Pack designs due to the high quality of the hand enhancing. The firm utilized blades with both nickel plating and the polished variety and although the nickel option would have been expensive to produce, the cross-guard base metal was not and often led to lifting of the silver plating.
The polished blades also can be found with the cross-grain running vertically down the blade on the central section, with the side sections showing the normal horizontal direction.
As far as I am aware this practice can only be found on German army daggers by Holler and Klaas. Klaas also utilized the E-Pack cross-guard onto many of its daggers along with the generic B on later examples. This 2nd design differs from the previous pattern by Klaas with rounded inner wing splines either side of the eagles head, larger and flatter quillion swirls and a defined pedestal under the larger and broader swastika. The easiest and most reliable method of determining the difference between a Klaas 1st and a Klaas 2nd cross-guard is to count the wing feathering sections on each wing. The 1st will have 5 sections, the later 2nd pattern Klaas displays only four.

( PLUMACHER - Similar To : Holler 1st, ACS 1st )  This rare early cross-guard features prominently on initial release German Army Officers daggers from Plumacher and Axt und Hauerfabrik. With similarities in design to both the Alcoso 1st and Holler 1st patterns, there are consistent differences on numerous examples to be able to classify it as a unique design. The majority will have a flat or filed down appearance to the eagles upper head and a short squat beak, the eye of the bird is normally circular punched and on very close inspection, the right wing is normally positioned slightly lower than the left from the upper edge of the cross-guard. The authors opinion is that this cross-guard MAY be a modified mould of the Holler 1st initial release, the proportions, positioning, wing feathering and body shape are very similar albeit with heavy modifications and chiselling work undertaken.
 This pattern cross-guard has been observed with various base metals and plating techniques ranging from early brass based, to light weight alloy. The wing segments nearly always show hand enhancing to each and every section and the outward rounded profile to the eagles chest makes it very susceptible to wear. As far as I am aware this cross-guard should always be matched to a slant grip and matching early parts and fittings.

( SMF - Similar To : None )   The SMF eagle is unique in that it is probably the ugliest of all the birds encountered on period German army daggers. The head is a very unusual shape with a downward turning mouth and a rounded hook beak. The body detailing or feathering normally extends high up the neck area into the head unlike most other cross-guard designs and the very large circular roundels to either quillion are a tell tale sign of this particular pattern cross-guard. The base metal is normally always found to be of inferior quality along with the silver plating and it is very rare to come across this particular German Army dagger cross-guard today that exhibits the detail on the example shown above.
Occasionally it is possible to find this SMF cross-guard with hand enhancing evident but normally only on the very earliest releases bearing quality brass base metals.

Rare as a design but not one of the prettiest.

( WKC 1st - Similar To : None )   This early guard is sometimes but not always found with detailed hand enhancing, the upper head and brow area are almost square in appearance with a small sharply downward nose like beak. The half crescent moon eye is another feature typical of the 1st WKC and a squat short body to the eagle. Although not obvious from the above picture, the wings of the eagle are very slender in appearance compared to other manufacturers and this design can be found on many early German army daggers by various companies.
The design itself is normally matched to the earliest WKC dagger fittings and a slant grip although many examples also exist with a mixture of parts assembled from firms who purchased from various sources and assembled to order.  The WKC 1st and Pack 1st where favored designs from the start of production in 1935 including many of the smaller cottage makers. Easily distinguishable by its unique design and proportions and quality base metals and enhancements, it is one of the most prolific patterns of cross-guards found on early pre-1936 German army daggers.
 Rated as common, it must be said that NO early slant gripped dagger can be classed as prolific due to the limited amount of time that they were in production, however in comparison to other early cross-guards it was hard to rate this one any differently.

( WKC 2nd- Similar To : E-Pack 3rd, WKC 3rd, Weyersburg 2nd)   Only four or five examples of this extremely rare pattern cross-guard have been observed since this page was constructed and all cross-guards came matched to WKC marked blades and corresponding hilt fittings. It would have been a transitional or experimental casting in my opinion, used for only a very short period in 1936.
 Consisting of high quality base metals and plating techniques, it is normally found with a tapered tang blade and married with a non-slanted type grip. The pattern also normally exhibits hand chiseling or enhancing to the leg, wreath and feet areas and with special attention given to the head definition. The lazy eye and beak shape as well as the stippling detail behind the swastika are traits normally associated with the Paul Weyersburg factory enhanced cross-guards and there is no doubt in my mind that there was some form of collaboration between the companies or shared workers that resulted in this hybrid design, especially as they both shared the Weyersburg name. Paul Weyersburg were not successful in 1936 in securing a manufacturing contract for German army daggers, did WKC poach some staff maybe?.
 Considering that WKC was one of the largest producers or German army daggers throughout the period, the limited examples known to exist today bearing this very rare cross-guard is surprising.
 
Courtesy of the Peter.P collection.

( WEYERSBERG 1st - Similar To : WKC 1st )   The Weyersberg eagle is very scarce and should only been seen on early period manufactured army daggers by this maker. The head appears slightly oversized in proportion to the square sided body which normally has a coarse hand enhanced chequered patterning. The head features, eye and mouth are exquisite and highly detailed and most examples show a unique stippling to the background behind the swastika.
Weyersberg used the WKC 1st crossguard on their initial 200 dagger introduction in 1935 ( all internally numbered ) before switching to an in house modified design of the same cross-guard shown above. This design can also be found on non-slant grip daggers early in the period, although it is thought Weyersberg ceased army dagger production in 1936 to focus on alternative edged weapon manufacture.

( WEYERSBERG 2nd - Similar To : E-Pack 3rd )   This is the slightly later and last design by Weyersberg thought to be from 1935/6 and is a modified E-Pack 3rd cross-guard. The head is slightly larger than the Pack with the typical lazy eye and up-turned mouth of the 1st Weyersberg design. Also note the background stippling behind the swastika evident on both examples shown here. This particular design on non-slant gripped daggers is unusually considered to be more scarce than its earlier predecessors purely because of the limited timeframe it was in production. The large prominent half crescent shaped eye and hooked mouth to the eagles head are typical of Paul Weyersburg production, the firm itself was unsuccessful in securing a manufacturing contract in 1936, switching instead to mainly Luftwaffe requirements so all examples will be early and fitted with quality materials and base metals, many with extensive hand chasing.
 This particular pattern is normally found matched with the later type B style grip.

( WINGEN 1st - Similar To : None )   Finally an example of this rare in house Wingen manufactured cross-guard that actually shows some detail to the eagle. Nearly all examples will show virtually zero head or eye detail, poor breast work definition and an undefined swastika and wreath. This is probably due to the fact that this pattern cross-guard is nearly always found cast with a soft brass base metal and was highly prone to wear and tear or maybe a combination of poorly defined mould and materials. These initial Wingen army daggers can be found normally matched with a slant grip although non-slant examples do exist. They also used unique in house pommels and bevelled unique scabbard bands married to this cross-guard.
 Wingen went on to produce a relatively large amount of German army officers daggers later in the period, however these initial Wingen entrants are far from common and this cross-guard should only be found on Wingen marked daggers.
 The firm also in many cases cast a "W" onto the daggers blade tang hidden under the grip. Note the casting flaw to the feathering on the left wing end section evident on ALL.

Courtesy of the S.Keltner collection.

( WINGEN 2nd - Similar To : Herder & Generic B )   More like the Herder in design but with a more squat body and a slight dip between brow and beak. The beak appears with less of a "snarl" than both the generic and Herder designs and with straighter edges to the body sides than the generic B.
All 3 can be considered unique designs but the differences are marginal. The Herder and Wingen designs are often found with nickel silvered fittings and as such are far less prone to wear and loss of plating. The above example is silver plated.
 It is the authors opinion that the later Generic B mass produced cross-guard was based on this design by Wingen, maybe even produced by them.

( UNATTRIBUTED - Similar To : Wingen 1st, Klaas )  Only four examples of this heavily enhanced design have so far been observed, three fitted to Voos German army daggers and one to a Klaas. Bearing similarities to both Wingen and Klaas early production cross-guards, my initial gut instinct is to say that this is probably a Klaas variant based on the general appearance and enhancement.
  There is also a possibility that this cross-guard is totally unique to Voos, possibly purchased from Klaas or Wingen and heavily adapted and enhanced. As it stands, this pattern can be classed as unique, the toughest of all cross-guards to find for the type collector and as rare as they get in terms of known examples.

 Note the massively oversized wreath and swastika and the unique ribbon enhancement to the wreath at 3 & 9 o'clock.

Courtesy of the T.K. collection.