Cased Presentation SS Letter Opener Belonging to SS-Oberführer and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross w/Oak Leaves & Sword Recipient Georg Bochmann. No maker. Georg Bochmann was born on 18 September 1913 in Albernau, Saxony and joined the SS-Totenkopf Units in 1934. In 1936 he was promoted to SS-Untersturmführer and served with the SS-Totenkopf-Standarte "Oberbayern". In 1939 and 1940 he was instrumental in the creation and outfitting of the SS-Totenkopf Division. In the winter of 1941/42 he participated in the offensive in Russia, and on 3 May 1942 was awarded the Knight's Cross as SS-Hauptsturmführer and Commander of Battle Group "Bochmann" serving with the SS-Totenkopf Division in Russia. He was awarded the Oak Leaves on 17 May 1943 as SS-Sturmbahnführer and Commander of Motorcycle Regiment "Thule", SS-Panzer-Grenadier Division "Totenkopf". On 26 March 1945 SS-Standartenführer Bochmann was awarded the Swords while serving as Commander of 18.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Horst Wessel" on the Eastern Front. Herr Bochmann survived the war and lived in Offenbach/Main until his death on 8 June 1973. The letter opener measuring 9 ¾" in length features a machined brass V-shaped pommel with straight brass crossguard with scalloped ends showing light surface wear/age patina and some surface spotting to fittings. Obverse crossguard is jeweler engraved, "Georg Bochmann", reverse crossguard is jeweler engraved, "XVII. SS Pz. Gren. Div. "Horst Wessel". The grip is constructed of smooth off-white celluloid showing several small chips and some aging. Straight polished steel center-ridge stiletto type blade measuring 6" in length grades excellent showing surface wear and some gray shadowing and spotting primarily to obverse tip. Letter opener is without scabbard. Letter opener is complete with a gray mottled imitation fabric-covered hinged case with no markings or inscription on the exterior lid. Interior lid is covered in pale golden yellow linen showing only light age and an impression where the hilt of the letter opener has rested against the padding, with the lower fitted portion covered in matching golden yellow velvet and fitted to hold the dagger at a diagonal in the case. Lower velvet portion shows some aging and minor staining. Apparently the case was refitted to hold this letter opener, as a reverse image imprint can be seen through the interior lid fabric revealing the inscription, "Richard Fehabart Grössenhain" (Grössenhain is located in Northern Germany West of Hamburg). Ultra rare presentation artifact from one of the most highly decorated Waffen-SS Officers recently obtained in Germany! Exc+/Exc++ (23054) PRICE ON REQUEST