Description
Product Description: This engraved 2nd Model Luftwaffe miniature dagger is an outstanding object. It’s a finely made, top-quality piece, an appealing 3/4 size miniature, with all of the detail seen on full-size daggers. The nickel-plated blade is in near mint condition with bright shine and no damage. The reverse ricasso is nicely etched with the commercial style “scales” maker mark of the firm of Alcoso in Solingen. The handle is exquisite, with a nice guard and pommel that show great detail and no damage to note. The attractive orange Trylon grip is also undamaged, with no chips or cracks, and the grip wire remains tight. There is a scarce original miniature portepee attached to the grip. The woven aluminum wire remains bright, and there are just a couple of spots of slight fraying to the cord where it is knotted to the grip. This lovely 2nd Model Luftwaffe miniature dagger is complete with its original scabbard. The scabbard body retains original finish and is undamaged. There are some light spots on the side of the scabbard. There is a wonderful period engraved dedication on the side of the scabbard, reading “Ihrem Kommandeur – Die Leith. Nachr. Komp. Weibrn. 38” indicating that this was a presentation piece from the commander of a Luftwaffe signals unit. This unique and very desirable dagger has great eye appeal, and remains in exceptional, near mint condition.
Historical Description: The Luftwaffe dagger was a piece of regalia with a unique history. After WWI, Germany was prohibited from having an Air Force. In 1933, the Nazis formed the Deutscher Luftsport-Verband (DLV), which was a paramilitary aviation organization. DLV officers wore a long dagger. In 1935, in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler instituted the new German armed forces, the Wehrmacht. One of the branches of the Wehrmacht was the Luftwaffe. Luftwaffe officers at this time wore what we know as the first model Luftwaffe dagger. This was a shortened version of the earlier DLV dagger. It featured a scabbard covered in blue leather, and a blue, wire-wrapped grip. The crossguard featured a round, “sunwheel” type swastika, flanked by down swept, stylized “wings.” The pommel was in the form of a vertical disc, with another, larger “sunwheel” swastika. In 1937, the Luftwaffe instituted a new dagger form, known to collectors as the second model. This new dagger was similar to that worn by officers of the German Army. The second model had a metal scabbard with impressed decoration, and no leather covering. The crossguard bore a Luftwaffe eagle, clutching a swastika. The blue grip was replaced with one that was orange, white or yellow. The various types of grips were a matter of personal preference and did not indicate branch or rank. The pommel of the new dagger featured a swastika within an oak leaves motif. The blades of these daggers were steel, and many but not all were manufacturer marked.
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