NATIONAL FORESTRY SERVICE

 

The national Forestry cutlass exist in two types and again in different lengths and models! The type described here and on the photographs is the Senior Forester’s Cutlass. Authorized for wear by chief rangers and administration officials. The other type is the Assistant Forester’s Cutlass. The Senior Forester’s Cutlass was worn already before nazi period, but has stay in service during the Third Reich. Just like the Hunting daggers are these type’s of daggers still worn today in a practically unchanged version! The dagger can be found in different lengths and in different styles and it is to difficult to discribe a particular pattern of the Forestry Cutlass. The most common seen one has gold metal fittings, a knuckle bow, a clamshell and a blade etched with hunting scenes. The different between the Senior and the Assistant Forester’s Cutlass, was the fact that the rangers and the management officials were authorized staghorn only, while the Senior Forestry Cutlass for chief rangers and forest administration officials have white celluloid or genuine ivory grips. The length of the dagger varied depending upon manufacturer and design. The dagger has no blade motto, and a black leather sheath was prescribed for all variations. The hanger for this dagger is a black or brown leather frog. The portepee is a silver knot with green stripes for chief rangers and a gold knot with green stripes for officials in the grade of Oberlandforster.

 

I would recommend every collector to purchase the books of Thomas M Johnson and Thomas T Wittmann, because they are a must to have if you looking for detailed information about the edged weapons of the Third Reich.