A German officer’s portepee, made from fine aluminum-silver and gold bullion wire. The woven tassel (or acorn head) is attached to a braided cord leading to a black leather strap with a gold-toned buckle and rectangular plaque. The overall form resembles a small grenade or acorn. The portepee is finely crafted, indicating ceremonial or dress uniform use rather than combat wear.
The portepee, or sword knot, originated as a practical item for securing a weapon to the wrist, later evolving into a symbol of military rank and tradition.
During the Second World War, the German armed forces (Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe) used specific portepee designs to indicate officer status, often crafted from silver and gold bullion for dress uniforms.