A Hidden Piece of History Unearthed in a German Garden
While clearing weeds from her garden in Constance, southern Germany, Conrad’s mother made an unexpected discovery. She found something buried in the ground, which initially appeared to be an ancient artifact. The object was sent to the family group chat, sparking curiosity among the members.
Conrad, who now lives in Munich, was intrigued by the find. He knew that the area had a rich history, with archaeological evidence pointing to early Alemannic settlements and even Neolithic pile-dwelling communities. However, what he didn’t expect was the true identity of the object his mother had uncovered.
After sharing pictures of the item on the r/Archeology subreddit, the online community quickly identified it as an M35 Wehrmacht dagger, a ceremonial weapon issued to Nazi military personnel during World War II. The distinctive features of the dagger—its spiral grip, signature guard, and design from the Third Reich era—were unmistakable to the amateur historians who participated in the discussion.
The discovery was both surprising and unsettling for Conrad. He noted that the area around his parents’ house had no previous structures, suggesting the dagger could have been left there by someone connected to the war. “I assume that after the war, a lot of soldiers wanted to get rid of the belongings that could link them to the Wehrmacht,” he said. “So I think someone buried it here and then fled to Switzerland or continued living in one of these villages.”
For Conrad, the find was more than just a historical curiosity—it was a stark reminder of Germany’s past. “As a German, I had a good education and reflected a lot about our history,” he explained. “This find doesn’t fill me with pride; it’s more of a dark reminder about the horrible things Germany has done and how most of the population participated willingly.”
He is now considering what to do next with the dagger. While he does not want to display it in his home, he also does not want to throw it away. “It is a part of history, and I don’t want to destroy it either,” he said. He is thinking about consulting a professional to determine if the dagger should be preserved in a museum.
Conrad believes that the dagger may not be rare, given its mass production during the war. “While it’s interesting and a powerful reminder for me, I don’t think it’s particularly rare to find something like this, sadly.”
This isn’t the first time people have come across Nazi artifacts in their homes. In 2024, a homeowner discovered Nazi memorabilia in the attic of their new house. Earlier this year, a woman stumbled upon her grandfather’s CV from the 1940s after he passed away at the age of 100. Kyra Shishko, 34, from Boston, read Ellsworth Rosen’s resume, which left a lasting impression on her.
These discoveries serve as reminders of the complex and often painful history that continues to surface in unexpected places. Whether through family heirlooms, forgotten items in attics, or objects found in gardens, the past can still hold powerful lessons for those willing to look.
