Portepee and the silver cap cords

Found by a U.S. GI, the donor, while billeted in a house in Bad Godesberg, Germany. Sent to parents in Decorah, Iowa. The dagger and accoutrements may have belonged to an Offizieranwärter (officer candidate) in the German Army of Oberfeldwebel rank (battalion sergeant-major or senior Non-Commissioned Officer). A portepee is a sword knot and usually indicates a soldier's rank. This decorative feature was worn in peacetime Germany and in stable areas of the Greater German Reich. It was also a feature of the Parade and Walking-out uniform. The German Army Portepee was worn by all ranks from Fähnrich (Ensign) upwards. When worn on the officer's dagger it was all silver. Both the silver Portepee and the silver cap cords indicate that the wearer was an officer or perhaps an officer candidate.