The 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger was adopted for wear by officers and certain high-ranking NCO's in 1937. The fittings were generally produced in a gray finish, although nickel or silver plating was available. The dagger had an aluminum top pommel featuring swastika on both sides, and a matching crossguard which depicted an eagle in flight clutching a swastika in his talons. The grip was white or colored celluloid. The steel scabbard usually was matching finish with pebble panels and oak leaved lower section. These daggers are often found with a portepee, i.e. a decorative tassel wrapped about the grip.
LD2 #33174 Second Model Luftwaffe Dagger - SMF
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe is a fine textbook example throughout. The SMF produced pieces always have a great look to them and especially the pommel swastikas. In the case of this example, the pommel swastikas are still 100% on both sides. This pommel is identical to the example I show on page 137 of my Luftwaffe book at 4 o'clock. In addition to the gilded swastikas, the handwriting to the oak leaves positioned throughout the pommel is outstanding. This pommel is nice and bright and is in full mint condition. The matching cross guard features a fine Luftwaffe eagle flying to the viewer's left. The bird shows virtually no wear throughout, having outstanding detail to his eye, beak, breast feathering, legs and talons. He grasps a mobile swastika in his talons. This SMF cross guard has the engraved oak leaf and acorn depictions in the cross guard upper panels. These engravings are the same as shown on page 47, second from right. The pebble(?) pattern on the back of this scabbard is also still crisp. The ferrule is a bright example, nicely matching the other hilt fittings. This dagger is equipped with a pumpkin orange grip which is quite beautiful. This grip has no change in the color tones from rear to front, and it remains in perfect condition. The grip is tightly wrapped with the traditional aluminum springy wire usually seen on SMF pieces. An outstanding mint hilt here!The scabbard of this example has good airplane gray finish to the obverse and reverse. There is a little bit of age that appears in some of the panels and also on the edges. This bit of age takes this scabbard out of a mint class. I was hoping to find a mint SMF scabbard before I put this dagger up for sale but I have not had any luck, and it is best to get it out there to the collecting community and perhaps the next owner will have better luck. With a mint SMF scabbard, this example would grade full mint throughout. At any rate, this scabbard has the proper aluminum oak leafed bands which are brighter than the airplane gray panels. The throat is left unplated and is retained by two headless, flush side screws. The blade is a real beauty. SMF always nickel-plated their blades and this accounts for the quality normally seen. This blade has its needle-like tip and is still bright throughout. It has just the slightest bit of age on the lower reverse but this might clean out with a little work. Other than runner marks though, overall this blade does grade in a near mint state. The ricasso area is stamped with a waffenamt stickbird which has a number “5” in his belly. Below the waffenamt is the trademark which consists of the seated king holding an upward pointing sword. The king is sitting on the firm's initials “SMF”. Below this, in an arch shape, is the town location “Solingen”. The original pebbled leather washer is in place. A very, very nice dagger here that could even be made better with a proper mint conditioned, matching SMF scabbard.
Excellent Plus, Plus. $1,295(#120611)
- LD2 #33428 Second Model Luftwaffe Dagger with Double Etched Blade
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe is equipped with a double edged blade with no maker mark. It is a very fine example throughout and is produced with textbook generic mounts, the same as I show in my Luftwaffe book on pages 238 and 239. The blade is identical to the style having the two “extra droplets” on page 233 left. This identical etch was also used by the Voos firm. At any rate, the pommel and cross guard are very fine matching aluminum pieces. The pommel is identical to the example I show on page 142 left. This pommel has an outstanding pebble pattern throughout its surfaces with fine relief to the oak leaves. The two swastikas remain crisp on both sides. The generic style cross guard is the type that has the large pebbles on the background panel. The upper quillion arms have engraved oak leaves and acorns being the same as the example as on page 152. The grip of this piece has the dark pumpkin orange obverse and fades slightly on the reverse. This grip is in perfect condition being tightly wrapped with aluminum springy wire. Decorating the hilt is the original 23cm portepee. This portepee is in excellent condition throughout showing only age, but no fray. The slide is pushed up to the knot area where it appears to have been since the War. This slide does show some minor fraying but nothing out of the ordinary. The stem is in excellent condition as is the lower bullion ball. The stuffing is a textured style fabric.The scabbard is also a typical generic type. This scabbard is of plain gray color and that same color tone applies to the bands and the rings. The pebble panels are extremely crisp and is easily in near full mint condition. The bands portray the slightly slanted series of oak leaves which run about the surfaces. The throat is a matching color tone and is retained by two side screws, both of which are unturned. A fine mint scabbard here. The blade of this example shows a little bit of in and out action, but overall the plating appears to still be 100%. The frosting on the backgrounds of the etch is still there at 100%. The ferrule etch is the same on both sides, with the exception that there is a panel open on the obverse. This panel portrays a Luftwaffe eagle flying to the viewer's right. The detail to this bird is extraordinary displaying a great look to the bird's head, beak, feathering and talons, one of which holds a mobile swastika. There are laurel leaves which are under both wings. This particular blade etch is identical to the one that was used by the Voos company having the two extra “droplets” at the lower portion of the etch. The position of the etch also has a beginning area directly under the cross guard. This positioning was probably done because the blade was not to have a maker's mark that would show. The original blade washer is in place. A fine original example here, recently purchased from a Maryland family. This is a good opportunity to acquire a rarely seen double etched 2nd Model Luftwaffe.
Excellent Plus. $3,695 - LD2 #33013 Personalized Second Model Luftwaffe - Anton Wingen, Jr.
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger is overall a pretty nice quality example. It has the Wingen style hilt fittings which are slightly different from norm in that the pommel has a more oblong look to it and the cross guard eagle chest area is vaulted outward more than norm. These hilt mounts are a fine matching aluminum. The pommel has good detail to the oak leaves and there is also hand enhancing and some hand pebbling to be seen on the surfaces and also on the edges where the leaves meet the center ridge. The swastikas on both sides are good and crisp. The cross guard features an eagle flying to the left and as stated above is a more vaulted type than normally seen. This bird has excellent detail to his head, eye, breast feathering, wing feathering, legs and talons. He grasps a mobile swastika in his claws. The upper quillion arms have the engraved style oak leaves and acorns within a panel. These depictions are pebbled over the surfaces and are in good condition. These same hilt mounts can be seen on the Wingen example that I show in my Luftwaffe book on page 226. The ferrule is also the same as the pictured piece. The grip is a very deep pumpkin orange color being just the slightest tone lighter on the reverse. The grip is in excellent condition throughout, however there are two small hairline cracks at the right edge and reverse lower rib. This grip is tightly wrapped with twisted brass wire. A fine looking hilt here!The scabbard is an extra quality example having a nickel finish. The nickeling is still in excellent condition, have only one lift. This small plating lift is positioned between the two carrying bands at the right edge. The nickeling shows very minor age, but it is really nothing. The scabbard bands are the larger type, exactly the same as those on page 226. These bands have been plated to match. The plated throat overhands on both sides, the same as the book piece, and has the identical dome head side screws which are unturned. It is interesting to note that in the center of top reverse panel, the name “Beck” is lightly engraved into the surfaces. This same name is engraved into the obverse blade center about two inches down from the cross guard swastika. Unfortunately, the name “Beck” is a fairly common German surname so would be difficult to research the original owner, but it certainly adds interest to the piece. This blade is still nice and bright having its needle-like tip. It is in near full mint condition having a few very small spots here and there, which can probably be removed with modest effort with some semichrome. The reverse ricasso has the small knight logo etched on the center surface and above is the firm's initials “A.W. Jr”. Below the knight is the location city of “Solingen”. The original leather washer is in place. A pretty nice personalize Luftwaffe dagger here.
Excellent Plus. $895.
- LD2 #33306 Personalized Second Model Luftwaffe
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger has fine aluminum head mounts which show modest wear, but still has good detail. The pommel features oak leaves which has hand enhancing on the areas where they meet the center ridge. Both swastikas are nice and crisp. The matching cross guard shows just a tad bit of wear to the breast feathering of the cross guard eagle, but the details are still mostly all there. This bird flies to the viewer's left and clutches a mobile swastika in his talons. The upper cross guard arms are the style with engraved oak leaf and acorn panels. The engraving is quite well done and has good pebbling to the surfaces of the figures. Looking through my Luftwaffe book, I do not see a cross guard that has this exact same engraving, so chances are these mounts were made by a small generic producer. Occasionally, we run into pieces that cannot have the maker identified. The ferrule is a fine steel type having good detail to the oak leaves. The grip is a fine grapefruit yellow color. The color is still nice and rich, and rather unusual to see as most grips will turn darker than these tones over the years. This grip has a small hairline at the bottom obverse rib and also on the rib on the reverse, there is a small chip. Both of these flaws would easily cover with a 23cm portepee. Other than these minor flaws, the grip is in perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with aluminum springy-style wire. A nice hilt here.The scabbard appears to be a WKC variety. It has a fine dark airplane gray finish throughout, which is still in excellent condition. The bands are also the WKC type having the pebbled areas behind the acorns. The throat is retained by a single flathead side screw on the right, also a WKC trait. Since the throat is also “oval” type done by this producer, we can conclude that the original seller of this dagger purchased the scabbard from WKC. The blade is a most interesting example. Brilliant. It is still bright and in excellent condition throughout having 100% of its cross graining. This blade is in near full mint condition. The obverse center segment has the original owner's name as well as his birth date etched into the surface. This etching appears to have been professional all the way. It is etched “Theo Weber 1.4.1915”. Armed with this amount of information, hopefully the next owner of this dagger will be able to research the career of Herr Weber. Not many daggers have the birth date on them, as well as the name. The original brown leather washer is in place. A very nice second model Luftwaffe here and a excellent candidate for further research. I wish the next owner good luck with identifying this Luftwaffe flyer.
Excellent Plus. $1,195
- LD2 #33344 Second Model Luftwaffe - Alcoso
This Alcoso 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger is a classic textbook piece. The hilt fittings are a brighter aluminum which is a nicer finish than the darker types we usually see with Alcoso. The pommel though is the standard type being the same as I show at 1 o'clock on page 137 of my Luftwaffe book. This pommel has good detail to the swastikas and oak leaves with extra hand enhancing done where the leaves meet the center ridge. The cross guard has a fine eagle flying to the viewer's left. This bird bird has good detail to his head, breast feathering, wing feathering, legs and talons. He clutches a mobile swastika. The reverse has little wear to the pebbling in the panel. The upper cross guards arms have the engraved oaks leaves and acorns within the two panels. They are identical to the example I show on page 148, second from bottom, and this cross guard is also the thin type used by Alcoso. The ferrule is a steel type which matches nicely. The grip is a very dark pumpkin orange on the obverse, fading just slightly on the reverse. This grip is in totally perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with twisted brass wire. A very find textbook hilt here.The scabbard is nice and straight throughout. It is the “rounded” type we see used by this producer. The finish on the scabbard was pretty rusted as they often are on Alcoso pieces, so we cleaned it up and enhanced it slightly and now it is much improved. The pebbled panels still show nicely and the lower chape area has good oak leaf presentment. This scabbard bands are the contrasting aluminum type, the same as shown on the piece on page 178 of my Luftwaffe book, second from right. The lower band has some wear caused by the scabbard ring biting into it during the years the dagger was worn. I like stuff like this as it “talks to you”. The throat is the thinner type and is retained by two flathead side screws, both of which are the small borau style by Alcoso. The blade of this example is as nice as they come. It has 100% of its original cross graining with a needle-like tip. It is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the scales trademark having the firm's initials interspersed, “ACS”. Above the scales is the firm's name in an arch being in block betters “ALCOSO”. Below is the location city “Solingen”. This was the trademark used from 1937 to 1939. The original brown leather braid washer is in place. This is a very nice textbook Alcoso dagger having minor restoration to the scabbard finish only.
Excellent Plus. $795
LD2 #32741 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Carl Eickhorn
This Eickhorn Luftwaffe Dagger has textbook hilt fittings and scabbard. The pommel is the “heart-dash shaped” type. It is identical to the example I show in my Luftwaffe book on page 138 at 11o’clock. The pommel has excellent oak leaf depiction with all of the original darkening in the backgrounds. The two swastikas have nearly 100% of the original gilded finish. This is a great looking pommel! The crossguard is the standard Eickhorn type, featuring an eagle flying to the viewer’s left. The bird shows a little mild wear to the breast feathering and the head, but the details are all there. This bird grasps a mobile swastika in his talons. The upper crossguard arms are engraved with the oak leaves and acorns, being identical to the example shown page 147, far right. The grip of this example is a typical Eickhorn lighter orange colored type. There is a small chip at the upper rib just beneath the pommel. There is also a hairline crack at the lower reverse rib, but this is covered entirely by the original-to-the-piece portepee. The wire is the springy type, and it is nice and tight. The portepee is the typical 23 CM type, and it is still in its original tie. This portepee shows only minor age, but has no fray. The textbook Eickhorn scabbard is the same as the example shown on page 179, far left. This scabbard has outstanding airplane-gray finish throughout, showing only the most nominal of age. The scabbard is straight and has good crisp pebbling. The bands are the convex type used by this firm. They have good highly detailed oak leaf depictions. The scabbard throat is the thick type, and it is retained by two headless flush mount side screws. The blade of this example is nice and bright, having a little bit of smudge at the lower 1/3 area. It still retains its needle-like tip, though, and does grade in near mint condition. The reverse ricasso is stamped with a waffenamt. Eickhorn examples that are waffenamt are only the ones that were made during initial production. Other firms, such as SMF and Weyersberg, continued to have Luftwaffe inspectors at their plant whereas, apparently, Eickhorn did not. It is fairly unusual to see an Eickhorn blade that is waffenamt. The etched trademark is completely new-like, featuring the 1935 through 1941 squirrel, which is holding a downward pointing sword. The firm’s slogan, “original”, appears above the animal, while the name and location are below, “Eickhorn, Solingen”. The original blue pebbled leather blade buffer is in place. A decent example here that shows very well, especially with the gilded swastikas.Excellent. $995.00
LD2 #32783 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - P. D. Lüneschloss
It is rare to see a 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger produced by Lüneschloss. In fact, when I did my Luftwaffe book, I was unable to find one to include in the reference. The hilt parts are a semi-generic type, and they are also used by other producers, to include Klaas and Wingen. These hilt mounts are the same as I show on page 136 of my Luftwaffe book. The pommel is rather unusual looking in that it is more elliptical than most, and also has a somewhat bolder swastika with a pedestal that is different from most. This pommel has lots of darkening in the backgrounds with the raised portions being lighter aluminum toned. The reverse swastika has just a hint of gilding still left on its lower legs, and the obverse appears not to have any gilt remaining. The pedestal is worth studying also, as the two-stage approach is more definitive than what we see on other pommels. The crossguard, which matches this pommel, is the style with the breast area of the eagle being more vaulted than most. This bird shows only nominal wear and has outstanding detail to the bird’s eye, beak, wing feathering, talons, and mobile swastika. The reverse panel has pebbling that appears more smooth than most, and about 90% of the original darkening is still there with wear only evident at the very center. This crossguard also has incised-style oak leaf and acorn panels at the upper quillons. The ferrule is a standard type, being darkened like the rest of the fittings. The grip is a fine deeper orange color. The grip is perfect on the obverse, but does have a small chip at the reverse upper segment, and there is also a hairliner at the reverse lower two ribs, but there is no material missing. I notice that the hairliner also extends to the first rib, at the left edge. The addition of a portepee would pretty much cover this minor flaw. The scabbard shell is also interesting on this piece. This shell appears to have the SMF style aluminum bands. The shell itself is a fine airplane-gray color, being perfectly straight and still mostly crisp to the pebbled patterns. The throat is retained by two headless flush mount screws. The blade is still bright throughout, and on the reverse is totally mint, and on the obverse has just a little bit of age staining mostly around the upper lower edge. This could clean out fairly easily with a little work with some semi-chrome. This near mint blade has its needle-like tip. The reverse ricasso is dark etched with the double ellipse circle. The circles contain the firm’s name and location, “P. D. Lüneschloss, Solingen”. In the center is an old fashion fire-style helmet, being pierced with a sword. The original brown leather washer is in place. This is a good dagger for those that are collecting “Luftwaffe type”. We do not see many Lüneschloss examples.Excellent Plus, Plus. $850.00
LD2 #32900 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Alcoso
This Alcoso piece is a textbook example. The hilt fittings have a blackened look, as was the procedure with Alcoso. The pommel is identical to the example I show on page 137, at 2 o’clock. This pommel, when originally issued, most likely was totally black. This example has some of the aluminum beneath, showing at the worn spots. Overall, though, the original black finish is at least 85% to 90%. A good Alcoso example here and worthy of study. The crossguard has matching black finish. This finish is also mostly still intact revealing a little of the aluminum beneath on the high spots. This crossguard probably grades at about 80%. The Alcoso crossguards are slightly thinner than other brands and, therefore, they are easy to recognize if you study their features. This guard has good detail to the eagle, which flies to the viewer’s left. The bird grasps a mobile swastika in his talons. The upper quillon arms have the incised style oak leaf and acorn panel engraving. This crossguard is the same as the example I show on page 148 of my Luftwaffe book, second from bottom. If you look at the picture, you can easily see that the crossguard is much thinner than the others shown. The ferrule on this example matches the other hilt parts. The grip is a pleasing lighter orange color. The grip is in fine condition, where you can see. There is a chip, however, on the lower reverse area but, fortunately, there is a portepee here that completely covers the chip. This grip is tightly wrapped with twisted brass wire. There is lots of old residue, which has become trapped by the wire. The portepee is still in fairly good shape, showing just the beginnings of fraying where the cord rubs the tip of the quillon arm. It is not bad, though, and this portepee looks quite good on this dagger. The scabbard is also a textbook Alcoso-type, having the “rounded” look that distinguishes these scabbard types from other brands. This scabbard is identical to the example shown on page 178, second from left, in my book. The scabbard has all of the original airplane-gray coating. It is unusual to see this much finish remaining on an Alcoso scabbard, as normally this airplane-gray finish easily rubbed off. This scabbard is straight throughout and still has good crisp pebbling to the panels. The scabbard bands are also coated to match and are in good condition. The throat of this example is retained by two small bore flathead side screws. Normally, we see screws with heads with Alcoso products but, perhaps, they were running low on their stock. As all of our experienced collectors know, nothing is always totally certain in this hobby. The blade is a very fine example. It remains completely bright throughout, containing all of its original crossgraining and a fine needle-like tip. This mint condition blade is dark etched on the reverse with the trademark used in 1940. This marking consists of the scales having the firm’s initials interspersed, “ACS”. On top of the scales the firm’s name is written in script, “ALCOSO”. Collectors often think that this script says ALCOSA, but it does not. It looks this way, as the style of this trademark has a fancy line underneath that is drawn from the ending “O” letter. Below the scales is the firm’s location, “Solingen”. Other than the script writing, this 1940 trademark is identical to the earlier example. The smaller brown leather washer is in place. A pretty nice dagger here in very good condition, aside from the grip chip.Excellent Plus. $795.00
LD2 #32784 2nd Model Luftwaffe - WMW Waffen
This WMW produced dagger is equipped with generic hilt fittings. The pommel is the same as I show on page 142, left. These mounts have a fairly bright aluminum color tone. The pommel has excellent detail to the oak leaves and the background pebbling. The swastikas are nice and bright against the backgrounds. The matching toned generic crossguard is the same as I show in my Luftwaffe book on pages 152 and 153. This outstanding generic eagle is still in pristine condition. The bird flies to the viewer’s left, having great detail to this wing feathering, head, breast feathering, legs, talons, and mobile swastika. The quillon arms have cast oak leaf and acorn detail on the upper surfaces. The reverse of the crossguard has the heavy pebble finish unique to these generic guards. The ferrule is finished in the same bright metal tone. The grip is a beauty, being an attractive tangerine-orange. This grip is in perfect condition and it is tightly wrapped with springy style aluminum wire. A fine hilt here! The scabbard of this example is one of the later types. This scabbard has a dull nickel finish and is nice and straight throughout. The pebbling is still good and the finish is still good, except for one spot just beneath the upper scabbard band on the right edge. It is a rust spot, which probably could be lessened with a little of work. I would, at a minimum, put some oil on the rust and then look after it every month or so until the deterioration process is stopped. The bands are a contrasting aluminum color, nicely matching the hilt mounts. The throat is overlapping on both sides and is retained by two domehead screws. The blade of this example is still mostly bright, but it does show quite a bit of age in the surfaces. There are a few spots and this blade only grades at about excellent. The original needle-like tip is still there. The reverse ricasso is stamped in two lines with the maker marking, “WMW Waffen”. The original brown leather washer is in place. A good hilt here, with fantastic grip. The blade is not the best in the world, and the scabbard has the small rust problem, but the dagger is priced accordingly.Excellent. $595.00
LD2 #32045 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger – Alcoso
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger has the Alcoso standard all black coated fittings. The pommel is identical to the example I show in my Luftwaffe book on page 137 at 1:00. This pommel has good detail throughout and about 95% of the blackening still remains. There is some wear to the black finish on the high spots, revealing the aluminum metal underneath. The cross guard is done in a matching coating and it, too, has about 95% of the blackening remaining. The cross guard is the thin Alcoso type, being the same as the example shown on page 148, two from bottom. This cross guard features a Luftwaffe eagle flying to the left clutching a mobile swastika in its talons. The cross guard upper arms have the engraved oak leaf and acorn panels identical to the book example. The ferrule is a lighter color gray. It has excellent detail to the oak leafing. The grip is an egg-yolk yellow color. It is in fine shape throughout and is tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The scabbard is a generic form which Alcoso used both their own and outside purchased type. This example has the matching black coating throughout to include the scabbard bands. Some of the coating has worn from the bands. The scabbard is nice and straight throughout and has good pebbled patterns. The throat is retained by two dome head side screws. The blade of this example is about as nice as you will find them. It shows a little bit of in-and-out usage but otherwise is still nice and bright, having all of its cross graining visible in the surfaces. There is a little bit of smudge on the needlelike tip but it is nothing. This mint condition blade is etched on the reverse with the last style trademark used by this firm. It features a sideways placed set of scales with the firm’s initials “ACS” interspersed. To the right of the scales is the firm’s name written in script “Alcoso” over the location city of “Solingen”. The original leather blade washer is in place. A nice Luftwaffe dagger here.Excellent Plus. $795.00
LD2 #32386 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger – SMF
This SMF 2nd Model has lots of good points about it, number one being the fact that it still has most of the gilding on its pommel swastikas. These swastikas are starting to thin just slightly but the surfaces are still gilt covered. The pommel itself is the fine aluminum type having darkening in the backgrounds. The oak leaf areas that meet the center ridge have been hand-enhanced. The pommel is the same as the example I show in my Luftwaffe book on page 137 at four o’clock. The cross guard nicely matches the aluminum tones of the pommel. This guard features a Luftwaffe eagle flying to the left and all of the details are still there to the bird grasping a mobile swastika in its talons. The upper quillon arms have the engraved style panels and are identical to the examples I show on page 147, second from right. These panels have excellent oak leaf and acorn depictions. The ferrule is also a fine example, having a matching color tone and good detail to the oak leaves. The grip is a great looking example having a deep orange color on the obverse and fading just slightly on the reverse. At the bottom of the grip on both sides, it is obvious there was once a portepee covering this area as the two bottom ribs are varying colors of yellow and orange. The grip would be in perfect condition except for a small chip at the obverse upper area. This grip is tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The scabbard is a textbook SMF and is identical to the example in my Luftwaffe book on page 179, second from right. This scabbard is nice and straight and has the airplane gray coating. The coating is starting to thin just slightly on the reverse but it is still mostly all there. The scabbard bands are the aluminum color tone, having good oak leafing. The throat is un-plated and is retained by two headless flush mount side screws. The blade of this example is the typical nickel plated SMF type. The nickel plating is nice and bright and the blade would be mint except for the fact that there are some age spots on the edges of both sides beginning about at the halfway point. Some of this may be able to come out with a little work, but it does keep the blade from a mint rating. The tip is needlelike. The reverse ricasso has the waffenamp stamping. It shows the stick bird image but the inspector’s number did not make it in the stamping. Below this is the seated king trademark. The king rests upon the firm’s initials “SMF” and beneath is the location city “Solingen”. The original blue covered leather blade washer is in place. A nice example here with a lot of good features and a couple of features caused by age and usage but all in all, a pretty nice dagger here.Excellent Plus, Plus. $995.00
LD2 #31725 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger – WMW Waffen
This seldom seen WMW produced example appears to be a wartime piece and is equipped with WKC produced hilt fittings. These hilt fittings are identical to the examples I show in my Luftwaffe book on page 142 left and 150, right. These hilt fittings are a lighter color aluminum finish. The pommel is the style with pebbled backgrounds and it has good details to the oak leafing. The matching cross guard features a Luftwaffe eagle flying to the left clutching a mobile swastika in his talons. There is little to no wear to this fine eagle depiction. The reverse panel has all of the pebbled finish and looks outstanding. The grip is an off-white color being in perfect condition. The grip is totally wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The ferrule nicely matches the rest of the dagger. You can see two WMW pieces in my Luftwaffe book, one on page 192, middle and the other on page 274. Both pieces have the same fittings as can be seen on this example. The scabbard is the style that has airplane gray toning but not too bad. The pebbled panels are still fairly crisp and the bands are the style that are aluminum and slightly larger than most. They appear the same as the bands that can be seen on page 193. The scabbard shell also looks the same. The throat of this example is retained by two dome head steel side screws. They do not appear to have been turned. The blade of this example is still mostly bright and appears to have its cross grain still there with needlelike tip. Unfortunately, there is some smudge in the surfaces of both sides. This takes away from the blade rating, of course, and reduces it to about excellent to excellent plus. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the maker “WMW/Waffen”. The original leather washer is in place. A decent example of a seldom seen producer.Excellent. $695.00
LD2 #31585C 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger – Alcoso
This Alcoso produced piece is equipped with generic pommel and cross guard. No doubt, it was a war finished example. The pommel is the same as I show in my Luftwaffe book on page 132 and the cross guard is identical to the example shown on page 150. Both of these hilt fittings have excellent matching darker airplane gray tones. The pommel is the style with pebbled background and good detail to the leaves. The swastikas on both sides have some remains of the original gilding. The reverse has about 85% - 95% where the obverse has perhaps 10% - 15%. It is nice, though, to see some of the gild there as it shows that this dagger was worn very little. The cross guard still retains its fine airplane gray finish with exceptional detail to the eagle flying to the viewer’s left. This bird has full feathering throughout its breast and talons and also has good detail to the open wings. The upper quillon arms have the cast-in style oak leaves. The ferrule nicely matches on this example. The grip is an off-white variety which is probably celluloid with a plaster filling. This grip is tightly wrapped with twisted brass wire. There is a tiny hairliner which barely shows at the obverse upper first rib. It is nothing, however. The matching airplane gray scabbard still has very crisp pebbling and is a generic variety. The bands match the finish and also have good detail. The throat is a thinner type and it is retained by two headless flush mount side screws. This scabbard is easily in near full mint condition. The blade is also a fine example. This blade is installed in the hilt with the maker’s mark on the obverse. This is the way I received it so we will leave it this way, but the next owner can change it around if they wish. This blade has a little bit of age on the obverse but the reverse is just about mint. Overall, the blade easily grades near mint with a needlelike tip. The obverse ricasso is etched with the last style trademark used by this firm. It features the sideways positioned scales with the firm’s initials “AWS” interspersed. Behind the scales, the firm’s name is written in script “Alcoso” over the location “Solingen”. The original leather washer is in place. A very nice wartime produced example here.Mint Minus. $995.00
LD2 #31512 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger – Carl Eickhorn
This example shows some overall usage but it also is a fine 100% textbook Eickhorn dagger. The pommel and cross guard are the lighter aluminum tone metal having black background darkening. The pommel is the arch shaped variety. It is identical to the example I show on page 138 at the 11:00 position. The oak leaves are nicely formed and where they touch the center ridge there is hand enhancing. The black backgrounds are still mostly all intact. The matching Eickhorn cross guard is the same as I show on page 147. This cross guard has quite a bit of age residue in the backgrounds but if someone wanted to clean it out, that is certainly not a problem. The eagle flies to the viewer’s left and clutches a mobile swastika. The tip of the bottom of the swastika is slightly blunted but it is not really noticeable. The bird shows some overall wear throughout his breast feathering and leg feathering but the head still has good detail as do the talons. The reverse cross guard has the pebble patterns and about 40% of the original darkening remains. The upper quillon arms have the oak leaves and acorns engraved into place and there is pebbling applied over the top. The ferrule also is a textbook matching example. The grip of this dagger is a pleasing tangerine orange color. It is in perfect condition except for a tiny hairliner on the reverse lower rib. This grip is tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The scabbard is also a textbook Eickhorn piece. This scabbard is all airplane gray and other than a little dirt and age in the surfaces, it still retains its good pebble pattern and full plated surfaces. The bands are the convex style and they also have oak leaf detail. The throat is the thicker type and it is retained by flush mount headless side screws. The blade of this example makes up for anything lacking on the outside. This blade is still nice and bright and has nearly all of its original cross graining as well as a needlelike tip. This blade easily grades in near full mint condition. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the smaller version of the 1935-41 Eickhorn squirrel. This smaller version is the style that was used in 1940. It also indicates that this was a wartime produced dagger. The original blade washer protecting this fine blade is still in place. A good example of a wartime produced and wartime used Eickhorn 2nd model Luftwaffe dagger.Excellent Plus. $995.00
LD2 #31312 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Richard Abr. Herder
The Richard Abr. Herder dagger is almost never seen in a 2nd model Luftwaffe pattern. In fact, I do not even show one in my Luftwaffe book. This example has some unique features which make it a good one for the type collectors out there. The pommel somewhat resembles the Pack type but it is also flatter and wider looking than any other styles used. This pommel has a dark coating in the backgrounds and the raised portions are a lighter aluminum color. There is lots of detail throughout this pommel and hand engraving is evident on the oak leaves that butt up to the center ridge. The swastikas are surrounded by double rings which have the pebbles inside of the rings. The crossguard also has a dark coating and this example has most of the guard covered. Only the areas that are in high relief have aluminum tones. This crossguard could very well be an Alcoso version as it seems to conform with the oak leaf and acorn pattern engraved into the upper quillon arms. It is also a thinner style guard. A firm like Herder might have purchased parts from other places in Solingen as they apparently had very few orders for 2nd model Luftwaffe daggers. The ferrule on this example is nice looking and blends well with the mounts. Contrasting with the black coatings of these hilt fittings is a very dark orange pumpkin color grip. This grip is a beauty and is in perfect condition being tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The scabbard is straight throughout and appears to be an SMF type to me. The scabbard has the airplane gray coating with the aluminum bands. The coating has a couple of lifts in the surfaces of the obverse panel lower area, but it is not bad. The bands have good detail to the slanted oak leaves. The rings are the aluminum type. The throat is an unfinished variety being retained by two flathead flush mount side screws. The blade is really an exceptional example. It is mirror bright and easily has 100% of its crossgraining. This blade is equipped with a needle tip and is easily in a full mint state. The reverse ricasso is etched with the larger style double oval trademark. The ovals contain the firm’s name and location, “Rich. Abr. Herder Solingen”. Inside is the well known diamond logo. The small style brown leather washer is in place. A nice maker mark here and a good one for the “type collectors” out there.Excellent Plus. $895.00
LD2 #31183 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
This 2nd model Luftwaffe has outstanding hilt fittings despite the fact that there is an unmarked blade. The pommel and crossguard are a darker aluminum tone. The pommel is very similar to the example I show in my Luftwaffe book on page 140 but it has better depth and more detail than the book example. The oak leaves on both sides of this pommel are all completely hand enhanced and really are the best you will see. Both of the swastikas seem to have more relief and crispness than on the normal pommel. The backgrounds have all been factory darkened. A great looking pommel here. The crossguard is also a beauty having the same touch of the man with the engraving tool. The bird is flying to the left and there is excellent detail to the bird’s eye, beak, breast feathering, legs and talons. This bird, of course, grasps a mobile swastika in his claws. The reverse panel is also a good example having still crisp pebbling with nearly all of the darkening being intact. This crossguard has outstanding engraved oak leaves and acorns within a panel. Of all the examples I show of these engravings in my Luftwaffe book this example has slightly different shapes and the depth and quality is better. A nice crossguard here! The grip is a fine off-white example which is turning to a pleasing ivory color. This grip is in totally perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with thin twisted brass wire. The original portepee is still wrapped around the grip. This portepee shows a bit of fraying where it comes out of the knot but it still looks like it is sound. The scabbard is a generic type and it has good pebbling throughout. There is some age darkening to the airplane gray coating but it is not bad and matches nicely with the dagger’s hilt parts. The throat is a thinner style and it is retained by a single headless center placed flush mount screw. The blade of this example is a beauty. It is completely mirror bright and has all of its crossgraining and nice sharp point. This unmarked blade grades in full mint. The blade is protected by an in place brown leather washer. A very nice dagger here with lots of quality aspects about it.Excellent Plus. $795.00
LD2 #31350 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Alcoso
This Alcoso Luftwaffe is a classic textbook model. It has the dark coating that Alcoso seemed to favor on the majority of their wartime examples. This piece is equipped with the pommel type exactly as is shown on page 137 of my Luftwaffe book. This pommel has much of the original black coating being about 90%. The raised areas such as the swastikas are mostly bright. The oak leaves do show hand enhancing particularly in the veins and on the leaf edges that butt the center ridge. A good looking Alcoso pommel here. The crossguard is the thinner type used by this firm. It also has the black coated finish and is about 98%. This “black bird” flies to the viewer’s left and clutches a swastika in his talons. The detail is quite good to the bird throughout. The reverse panel is also black like the obverse. It has small sections of light that show through but it is still about 98%. The upper crossguard quillon arms have the engraved oak leaves and acorns but you’ve got to look through the black coating to see them. They are identical to the example shown on page 148, second from bottom. The ferrule is an excellent example also. The grip is an off-white type which is probably plaster filled. It is in perfect shape on the obverse and on the reverse there are a couple of stress cracks up at the first and second sections from the top. The wire is the twisted brass type and it is holding the grip fairly tight so there is no chance of any of the material going south on this example. The scabbard is a generic type and appears to have a silver plated surface. The surfaces have turned all black matching the hilt parts except for the area which is protected by the crossguard when in place. Here, this area around the throat still has the white frosted silver coloring. The silvering appears to be mostly all there with a little bit of lifting along the edges but not bad. This thinner throat is retained by headless flush mount side screws. A nice scabbard here! Contrasting with the darkness of the outer pieces the blade of this example is still mirror bright. It appears to have most of its crossgraining and still has its needle tip. There is a little bit of age which has worked its way into the surfaces of the lower edges but it is barely visible and maybe with a little work could be totally polished out. Even still this blade grades in a near mint state with needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is etched with the early wartime trademark consisting of the perpendicular placed scales having the firm’s initials “ACS” interspersed. In script writing in an arch shape at the top is the firm’s name, “Alcoso”. Below is the block lettered location, “Solingen”. The original new-like brown leather blade washer is in place. A pretty good example for you Alcoso fans out there.Excellent. $695.00
LD2 #30627C 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Paul Weyersberg
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe has a few problems but it is priced accordingly. The hilt fittings are the types that we usually see used with Weyersberg examples. The pommel is the same as I show in my Luftwaffe book on page 138 at eight o’clock. This pommel has a good aluminum tone and black backgrounds highlighting the oak leaves which also show engraving in the areas where they meet the center ridge. The crossguard depicts an eagle flying to the viewer’s left retaining a swastika in its talons. The reverse panel has some darkening in the backgrounds and the upper quillon arms have the engraved oak leaves and acorns being identical to the one I show on page 148, center. The ferrule has a little rusting to the surfaces but we often see this as many times the ferrules are left in a natural state. The grip of this example has turned an attractive orange color on the obverse and on the reverse it is just a little bit lighter. This grip has a stress crack just on the bottom rib of the obverse and also on the reverse of this rib. There are a couple of minor cracks in the upper rib also. There is also a tiny chip missing at the upper rib. The description of this grip makes it sound worse than what it really is though. The grip is tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The scabbard is a generic type which appears to have been silver plated. This silvering was an “extra” crossed addition and we do frequently see it on these Weyersberg pieces. This silvering although heavily patinated appears to still all be there. A very nice scabbard here which is completely straight and has all of the plating in place. The throat is retained by two dome head side screws. The blade of this example has a nickel-plated surface like all Weyersbergs do. Unfortunately though on the obverse there is some peeling of the plating on the upper edge towards the tip and on the reverse there is also a minor amount of peeling in the same area. It looks as though someone has buffed off some old rust or problems that were on the blade as the Weyersberg logo and waffen amt are a bit vague. The waffen amt though is still visible and the logo is readable being the double ovals which contain the firm’s name and location, “Paul Weyersberg & Co. Solingen” and inside the downward pointing sword flanked by wheat shafts. This blade only grades at about good plus. The original leather washer is in place. Not a bad dagger here if you are just getting started of if you are on a budget. It is priced accordingly.Excellent Minus. $595.00
LD2 #31006 2ND Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Carl Eickhorn
This 2nd model Luftwaffe is a textbook Carl Eickhorn piece throughout. The pommel is the heart shaped variety being the same as I show in my Luftwaffe Book on page 138 at eleven o’clock. This pommel is an aluminum base and has good relief with factory blackening in the backgrounds to accent the oak leaves. The swastikas on both sides are still crisp and both images still have a minor amount of gilt still in place. The crossguard is a matching example having outstanding depiction to the eagle flying to the viewer’s left grasping a swastika in its talons. There is also good darkening here to this bird accenting the feathering and on the reverse the pebbled panel has nearly 100% of the airplane gray. The panels on the upper quillon arms have the oak leaves and acorns which are identical to the example I show on page 147, far right. The ferrule also matches nicely. The grip is a good looking darker yellow color which is about of the tone that it was when the piece was originally made. This grip is quite attractive being in perfect condition and tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The scabbard is a good airplane gray example being completely textbook and having 100% of the original toning. This scabbard is identical to the Eickhorn piece shown on page 179, far left. The pebble patterns are still crisp and the convex style bands are matching exactly the color of the shell. The throat of this example is the thicker type that we associate with this producer. This throat is retained by two headless flush mount side screws. The blade is still bright however there is a little bit of smudge which is evenly spread throughout the surfaces. Probably a lot of this could be cleaned off with a little semi chrome and some handwork. This blade as it is grades at about excellent to excellent plus. There is also a tiny bend to the tip where someone stuck the blade into a tree or the like. This should come out with a little hammering. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the small trademark used during 1940. It consists of the squirrel holding a downward pointing sword, the same as the 1935-41 examples, it is just smaller and stamped instead of etched. The original leather washer is in place. A nice dagger here which would grade a little higher with a little work on the blade.Excellent Plus. $895.00
LD2 #30936 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
This unmarked piece is a good looking example and is rather interesting with their use of parts produced by other makers. The pommel of this example looks very simlar to the pommel I show on page 140 of my Luftwaffe book, lower. The pommel has good detail to the oak leaves and also has some hand enhancing along the edges where the oak leaves meet the center ridge. The swastikas are nicely raised out and each one has approximately 40% of the original gilding still remaining on the surfaces. The crossguard seems to be a different example from any of the ones that I photographed in my book. It does have engraved style oak leaves on the upper quillon arms but it is interesting to note that there are no acorns mixed with these oak leaves. The bird itself is more or less the standard type flying to the viewer’s left and clutching a swastika in its talons. The detail is also excellent. The reverse panel has a very deep dark line which acts as a border around the panel with the pebbling only having light darkening to the backgrounds. The grip is an attractive yellow color, about the tone of a yellow squash. It is in perfect condition and it is tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The ferrule is darker than the aluminum tones of the hilt fittings. The scabbard is an interesting example being straight throughout and having a dark airplane gray toning throughout. The bands identify the scabbard as definitely an Eickhorn product, however the throat is thin and is retained by a single centered flush screw in the reverse – this is certainly not the way Eickhorn would have done the installation but apparently sold the parts to whomever marketed this dagger. I find these kinds of things most interesting and hope that you do also. The blade is a beauty have needlelike tip, mirror bright surfaces and 100% of its original graining. This blade easily grades in full mint condition. The dark colored leather washer is in place. A nice dagger here and one that will keep you looking at the fittings to see if you can identify the individual producers.Excellent Plus, Plus. $795.00
LD2 #30542C 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Paul Weyersberg
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe is really in top shape and is a very handsome dagger. The bright aluminum hilt mounts are the same as I show in my Luftwaffe book. The pommel can be seen on page 138 at the 8 o’clock position. This pommel has excellent detail to its oak leaves, and it is easy to see where the in-house finisher enhanced the oak leaves at the area where they meet the center ridge. Additionally, he hammered the palm areas to give relief to the entire depiction. A good looking pommel here and interesting to look at, having a swastika on each side. The crossguard matches exactly and is the same as I show on page 138 in the center. This crossguard depicts an eagle flying to the left, clutching a swastika in its talons. The bird has good feathering and little wear to its chest area. The reverse panel has excellent pebbling with about 70% of the original darkening. The upper crossguard arms are engraved with panels that feature oak leaves and acorns, the same as page 138. The grip of this example is a fine deeper orange color, having a very pleasing look. This grip is in totally perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with springy wire. A fine hilt here! The scabbard of this example is a generic type. It has excellent airplane gray coloring, having a little bit of oxidation on the edges, but this is easy to take out working with a fine piece of steel wool if so desired. The bands have excellent generic oak leaves, and the throat is retained by two flathead headless side screws. The blade is a nickel plated example, as Weyersbergs usually will be. This nickel plating is still extremely bright and of high quality and the original needle tip is still there. This mint condition blade is stamped on the ricasso with a waffen amt. This is a stick- like bird having a “5” in his belly. Below the waffen amt is the logo. It consists of double ovals that contain the firm’s name and location, “Paul Weyersberg & Co., Solingen”. Inside is a wreath of laurel leaves having a downward pointing sword in the middle. The original blue pebbled leather blade washer is in place. A very fine dagger here.Near Mint. $1,195.00
LD2 #30543C 2nd Model Luftwaffe with Simulated Ivory Grip - Tiger
This is a nice looking dagger and is very desirable for Luftwaffe type collectors. The pommel and crossguard are the generic type. They both have a lighter color aluminum matching tone. The pommel is identical to the one that I show on page 142 of my Luftwaffe book. This pommel has good detail to the oak leaves and the pebbling behind. It features a swastika on each side. The matching crossguard features the Luftwaffe Eagle flying to the viewers left. The bird has all of his feathering visible, and good detail to the brow, legs, and talons. The upper quillon arms have the cast-in oak leaves, exactly as per page 151, right. The ferrule is also a good example, nearly matching the other hilt fittings. The real eye-catcher here, though, is the grip. This grip is toned to a golden ivory color, and to complete the look it has beautiful graining that runs the length of the obverse. The graining is also visible on the edges and is harder to see on the reverse. The grip is in totally perfect condition and is wrapped with a springy-style copper type wire. This grip is the same as the simulated example I show on page 71, except the book example does not have as much grain as this piece does. A really great looking hilt here! The scabbard is a typical generic variety, having excellent airplane gray coating and being in perfect condition. The oak leaves show much detail, and the throat is retained by two headless flathead side screws. The throat is the style that is left untoned. The blade of this example is bright throughout and retains most of its original crossgraining. There is just the slightest bit of age on the surface and a couple of places, but easily the blade still grades in a near mint state. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the firm’s name “Tiger”, over the location “Solingen”. To the left of the name is a striped cat making his way down the center blade segment. A tan colored leather washer is in place deep within the crossguard recesses. An outstanding dagger here and a great looker.Near Mint. $1,595.00
LD2 #30452 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Puma
This Puma dagger is equipped with fine dark airplane gray fittings throughout. The pommel is the same as I show on page 142, right, being the type also used by WKC. This pommel has outstanding pebbling and oak leaf backgrounds that surround the raised-out mobile swastika encircled on both sides. There is still some gilt left on both of the swastikas, being about 50%. The matching toned crossguard is the generic type, having the slight cantilever of the top wing. This bird flies to the viewer’s left and has outstanding detail to his head, breast feathering, talons, and clutched swastika. The quillon arms have the cast-in oak leaf and acorn pattern, being exactly like the center example shown on page 149. The reverse panel has all of the gray coating. The ferrule nicely matches the rest of the fittings. The grip is a appealing tangerine-orange color. It is in perfect condition throughout and is tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. There is slight dirt and dust residue on either side of the wires. I doubt that this dagger has ever been cleaned. The scabbard is a matching airplane toned example. It has good crispness throughout and is nice and straight. The bands are the style we see used by WKC quite a bit, having the pebbled backgrounds behind the oak leafing. The tone of the scabbard exactly matches that of the hilt mounts. The throat is retained by two lower placed domehead side screws. The blade of this example is nice and bright, and easily has all of its original crossgraining. There are a few minor age stains in the surfaces, but all of this should come out with just the slightest of work, as this blade is easily in near mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with a large diamond. The diamond encloses a mountain lion’s head. Below this is the name “Puma”. Below the diamond is the location city “Solingen”. Inside of the recessed crossguard is the original leather washer. A nice quality dagger here.Excellent Plus, Plus. $895.00
LD2 #30342 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger is a wartime issue piece, but it is textbook from the standpoint of the WKC factory. The pommel and crossguard are of a matching aluminum color. The pommel is identical to the one I show on page 142, right. This pommel has nice crisp detail to the pebbled background and the leaves that surround both of the mobile swastikas on either side of the fitting. The matching crossguard depicts a fine Luftwaffe Eagle flying to the left. The bird has good detail to his head, breast feathering, talons, and mobile swastika. The pebbled background is also crisp on the reverse panel. The upper quillon arms have the typical oak leaf and acorn casting, being identical to page 149, center. The ferrule is a steel example, being slightly darker than the other hilt fittings. The grip is an off-white example, which most likely is the plaster filled variety. This grip in perfect condition throughout and it is tightly wrapped with twisted brass wire. Not a bad hilt here. The scabbard is one of the wartime types, which reflects a dull nickel plated finish. The scabbard is also a WKC pattern and is the same as the example shown on page 180. The pebbling behind the oak leaves is all there and crisp. This scabbard is straight throughout and has its throat retained by a single screw located on the right side, typical of this producer. The blade is a fine example. It is bright throughout and has 100% of its crossgraining. This mint blade also has its needle-like tip. Although it is unmarked, since the other mounts and fittings are WKC, they must be responsible for the production of the blade also. The blade is protected by an in-place leather buffer located deep within the lower crossguard recesses. A good clean piece here.Near Mint. $695.00
LD2 #29536 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - F. W. Höller
This 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger is in very fine condition throughout. More than likely it as an early wartime piece, as it is equipped with the white grip normally found on these types. The hilt fittings are the typical W.C. type, and they are identical to the examples I show in my Luftwaffe book. The pommel is the same as page 142, right. It has good pebbled background with oak leaves that surround the mobile swastikas on both sides. In the right light, it is also easy to see that there is quite a bit of the original gilding still remaining on the surfaces of these swastikas. I would say it is about 30% to 40%. The crossguard is the typical W.K.C. style. It matches exactly the pommel and it features an eagle flying to the viewer’s left. This bird has excellent detail to his head, breast feathering, talons, and to the swastika carried in its claws. The reverse pebbled panel also has nearly all of the airplane gray finish. The upper quillon arms have the cast-in oak leaf and acorn detail, being the same as the center example shown on page 149. The ferrule is a slightly lighter toned metal with good detail to the oak leafing. The grip, as mentioned above, is an off-white color and more than likely is the plaster filled type. It has toned to an ivory color, and it still has some dirt and residue between the ribs where it is covered by the springy wire. A very nice looking hilt here! The scabbard is straight throughout and is an airplane gray type frequently used by this producer. The scabbard has generic matching oak leaf bands and good crispness to the pebbled panels. The thin throat is the type that is left in its natural metal tone, and it is retained by a single flush mount headless screw in the reverse center. The blade of this example is nice and bright and it has all of its crossgraining. The needle-like tip is also still there. This blade is in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is darkly etched with the double ovals containing the firm’s name and location, “F.W. Höller, Solingen”. Inside is the thermometer logo, having too many digits to ever count. The leather blade washer is a large pebbled type, and it is firmly in place deep within the crossguard recesses. A nice early wartime Höller dagger.Near Mint. $995.00
LD2 #29503C 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Carl Eickhorn
This Carl Eickhorn example is a fine textbook piece. It is not perfect, but it is priced accordingly. The pommel is the popular heart shaped variety, being identical to the example I show on page 138 of my Luftwaffe book, at 11 o’clock. This pommel has outstanding detail to the oak leaves, and lots of hand enhancing is obvious around the areas where the leaves meet the center ridge. There is about 50% to 60% of the original gilt, which still is retained on both swastikas. The reverse side of the pommel is slightly oxidized, whereas the obverse side has its fine original darkening in the backgrounds. The crossguard is exactly matching as to the metal tone, and it portrays an eagle flying to the viewer’s left. The detail throughout the bird is exceptional, and he is grasping a mobile swastika in his talons. The pebbling to the background panel shows little to no wear. The upper quillon arms are engraved with acorns and oak leaves, being identical to the example I show on page 147, far right. The ferrule also is a fine Eickhorn example, having an airplane-gray finish. The grip of this piece is a very pretty tangerine-orange color. The obverse is just slightly darker than the reverse. The grip would be in totally perfect condition, were there not for just a small chip at the reverse bottom rib. This could easily be covered by an in-place portepee. A pretty nice hilt here! The scabbard is a standard Eickhorn type, having the convex oak leaf bands. It is straight throughout, and has good airplane-gray finish. Some of the original lacquer still remains, being a little bit spotty on the edges, but it is still there. This scabbard is straight throughout, and has the usual thick throat used by this producer. The throat is held in place by two headless flush mount side screws. The blade of this example is still bright, however, there is some mild smudge on both sides of the surfaces. It is not bad and could be removed with a little bit of work with some semichrome. The needle-like tip is still good. I also see some extremely light signs of some old sharpening, and this could probably be taken out also with some semichrome as it is not deep. This blade, overall, grades at about excellent to excellent plus. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the small 1935 through 1941 trademark, used through 1940. The original leather washer in place within the crossguard recesses. A good looking Eickhorn dagger here, which could be made even better looking with a little bit of work. It is priced accordingly.Good. $895.00
LD2 #28557 Personalized 2nd Model Luftwafe Dagger - SMF
This personalized SMF Luftwaffe example has classic parts throughout. The pommel is the same as the SMF example I show in my Luftwaffe Book on page 137. This pommel has good detail throughout, with a little bit of mild wear on the reverse side most likely caused by the original owner’s handhold. The details are still mostly all there. The obverse side still is in a choice, near mint condition, having excellent oak leafing and a mobile swastika. The crossguard is a typical SMF variety and it features an eagle flying to the viewer’s left clutching a mobile swastika. There is a little bit of wear to the eagle’s surfaces, but all details are still available here throughout the head, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons and swastika. The reverse panel has good pebbling with just a little wear in the center area. The upper quillon arms have the engraved style oak leaves and acorns being identical to the example shown on page 147, second from right. The ferrule is also a textbook variety. This grip is a good-looking tangerine color. It is in perfect condition throughout and is tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. There is some old residue and dirt trapped within the rib spaces between the wire, but if anything this gives a sense of history to this piece. The scabbard appears to have been one of the extra cost silver-plated examples. There is still frosting that remains in the upper area protected by the crossguard. The rest of the scabbard does show a lot of the silvering still being in place but there are also some wear spots around the center area again caused by the original wearer’s handhold. This scabbard though, is in good condition and perfectly flows with the wear seen on the hilt fittings. The scabbard bands are the aluminum type also being SMF. The throat is retained by two headless flush-mount side mount screws. The blade of this example is a fine high quality nickel-plated type. It is nice and bright throughout and other than the normal runner markings it is in mint condition together with its needlelike tip. The reverse of the blade bears its original owner’s surname etched into the center blade segment near the trademark. The name looks to be, “Albrecht”. Unfortunately, Herr Albrecht did not put his first initial or his first name so I would think it would be a difficult job to research him as this must be a fairly common name. At any rate, the etching does give a neat look to the blade and it is kind of fun to know the man’s name who originally carried it. The reverse ricasso is etched with the seated king trademark. The king holds a sword upward and sits on the firm’s initials, “SMF”. Above the king is a stick bird stamping. It is interesting to note that the bird was double stamped as apparently the inspector did not like his first hit. There is a five in the belly of this bird. The original blue pebbled leather washer is in place deep within the crossguard recesses. An interesting dagger here.Excellent Plus, Plus. $1295.00
LD2 #28088 2nd Model Luftwafe Dagger – Alcoso
This 2nd model Luftwaffe is a classic Alcoso piece. The aluminum hilt fittings have the dark backgrounds in the recesses. The pommel is identical to the example I show on Page 137 at one o’clock in my Luftwaffe book. This pommel has good detail to the oak leaves and the swastikas on both sides are nicely vaulted. The matching cross guard is the thinner variety we normally see on these pieces and it is identical to the example I show on Page 148, second from bottom. This cross guard depicts an eagle flying to the viewer’s left clutching a mobile swastika. The feathering in the quillon arms as well as the eagle’s eye, beak and talons is outstanding. The reverse panel has good pebbling and the upper quillon arms have the engraved oak leaf and acorn motif, being exactly like Page 148. The ferrule is a fine matching example. The grip is a most pleasing orange pumpkin color. This grip is in choice condition throughout, the only flaw being one tiny hairliner just at the beginning of the upper rib beneath the pommel. Other than this, though, this grip is in perfect condition. It is tightly wrapped with a copper springy style wire which also has some good age residue trapped between it and the ribs. The scabbard is a typical Alcoso type, having the distinctive rounded shape to the shell. It has the airplane gray finish throughout and good, fine pebbled surfaces. The aluminum carrying bands contrast with the color of the scabbard shell. This dagger and scabbard look nearly identical to the example shown on Page 193, left. The blade is a fine, bright example having all of its original cross graining. Other than a few of the tiniest of stains, this blade is in mint condition, still retaining its needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is etched with the trademark used from 1937-1939. It features a set of scales with the firm’s initials “ACS” interspersed. Above the scales in an arch shape is the firm’s block lettered name “ALCOSO” and below is the location city “Solingen”. The original leather washer is deep within the cross guard recesses. A fine Alcoso example here.Excellent Plus. $795.00
LD2 #27845 2nd Model Luftwafe Dagger
This 2nd model Luftwaffe is a fine looking example still in good preservation. It appears to be made during the war and has some interesting aspects about its hilt fittings. The pommel and cross guard nicely matching, being aluminum types. The pommel has good detail to the oak leafing and there is hand-enhancing where the leaves meet the center ridge. This pommel appears to be the same as the example shown on Page 140. The cross guard depicts a finely detailed eagle flying to the viewer’s left clutching a swastika. The reverse has good pebble pattern. There is a tiny crack in the metal on the reverse lower area but it is nothing that is going to endanger the integrity of the piece. The upper area of the quillon arms of this cross guard is most interesting. This area has been completely hand engraved to include the panels themselves. The inside areas are a series of wiggly lines and curves which are an attempt to simulate the oak leaf and acorn depictions normally used. This must have been something done late in the war. If you didn’t look directly at it, the viewer would probably not notice the difference. A very interesting observation here! The ferrule of the dagger is a good matching example. The grip is quite beautiful, being a fine yellow color still having its original tone. This grip is in totally perfect condition, being tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The scabbard is a WKC type having bands being identical to Page 180 of my Luftwaffe book. These bands are toned to match the airplane gray of the scabbard shell. The throat of this example is retained by two dome head side screws. This blade is quite beautiful, still being mirror bright. This blade has been nickel plated and retains all of the plating. There are a couple of extremely minor age hints in the surfaces but they are extremely nominal and the blade still easily grades in near mint condition. These plated blades are not seen too often and I feel they are a pleasure to look at. The blade is unmarked and has been protected by an in-place leather washer. A nice dagger here with some unusual attributes.Excellent Plus, Plus. $795.00
LD2 #28002 Personalized 2nd Model Luftwafe Dagger – Carl Eickhorn
This 2nd model Luftwaffe has lots of appeal and it is a very beautiful, nice condition dagger. The pommel is the heart shaped variety often (but not always) used by Carl Eickhorn. This pommel is the same as the example I show at eleven o’clock on Page 138 of my Luftwaffe book. This pommel has good darkening in the backgrounds and there is also hand-enhancing noticeable around the areas where the oak leaves meet the center ridge of the pommel. The swastikas on this example still have quite a bit of the original gilding still on their surfaces. The obverse swastika has about 30% - 40%, while the reverse example has about 85% - 90%. The matching cross guard is the generic style which Eickhorn sometimes used. I show a beautiful piece in my Luftwaffe book on Pages 152 and 153, which is an Eickhorn and features this same beautiful cross guard. This guard has the upper edges which cantilever over the obverse depiction. The bird is a beauty, flying to the viewer’s left and clutching a mobile swastika in his talons. There is great detail to the open wing feathers, the bird’s eye, beak, breast feathering, leg feathering and even the claws in the talons are well detailed. The upper portion of the quillon arms has the overlapping oak leaves and acorns just as the book piece. The reverse of this cross guard has the large style pebble pattern and it still retains all of its blackening over the surfaces. The ferrule also nicely goes with these fittings. The grip of this example has retained its original golden yellow tones. It is very beautiful, looking almost like a stick of lemon candy. This grip is in totally perfect condition, being wrapped with aluminum springy wire. A fine hilt here! The scabbard is one of the darker types that has a slight golden glimpse beneath the airplane gray metal. This beautiful Eickhorn scabbard is in totally perfect, straight condition having good pebbling to the panels. The bands are a convex shape and exactly match the color tones of the scabbard shell. The throat is a thicker variety and it is retained by two flush mount, headless side screws. A beautiful scabbard here! The blade of this example is bright throughout, having fine, 100% cross graining and needlelike tip. This blade is easily in full mint condition. The center segment of the obverse side just below the cross guard swastika is acid etched with the original owner’s name. The name is “Hötzel”. This may be enough for the next owner to conduct a career research project, as this is not a common name and should not be difficult to find. I wish the next owner good luck with this effort! The reverse ricasso is dark etched with the 1935-41 squirrel logo. In this logo, the animal holds a downward pointing sword. The original blue grained leather washer is in place deep within the cross guard recesses. A very fine, personalized dagger here.Mint Minus. $1,595.00
LD2 #27322 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
This 2nd model
Luftwaffe is a later-made piece and it has good airplane gray
aluminum mounts throughout. The pommel is a fine example, having
good detail to the oak leaves provided by hand engraving along
the edges and the veins. The swastikas are both nice and crisp.
The matching cross guard depicts an eagle flying to the viewer’s
left clutching a swastika. The feathering is all there and the
detail to the bird’s head, breast, legs and clutched swastika
are excellent. The reverse of this example shows some minor wear
to the pebble pattern. The upper quillon arms have excellent detail
to the engraved oak leaves and acorns. The ferrule also nicely
matches the condition of the rest of the fittings. The thing though
that really sets this piece off is the exotic color of the grip.
If you have a copy of my Luftwaffe book, the grip on the back
of the dust cover shown in color is a bright mighty orange. This
example has even more brightness than that grip. It almost has
a red coloring to its tones. This is one of the best looking grips
I have seen to date. This grip is in perfect condition and it
is tightly wrapped with springy aluminum wire. This dagger would
really stick out amongst other Luftwaffe examples. If you are
someone out there looking for a almost psychedelic grip color,
you will love this one! The scabbard is an airplane gray surface
and is in dent-free, excellent condition. It has carrying bands
that match the aluminum color of the hilt fittings. These bands
have rather wide borders and good detail to the oak leaves. They
are the type of bands that are numbered beneath and in this case,
they are numbered “96" or perhaps it could be “69",
depending on how you turn the scabbard. The carrying rings are
also matching aluminum. I do not show this type of scabbard or
these hilt fittings in my Luftwaffe book, as I did not have an
example at the time of printing. This Luftwaffe type, though,
is absolutely original and is only seen on wartime production.
The blade of this piece is still mostly bright, however, there
is a little bit of mild smudge over the surfaces. It is a typical
wartime blade which appears to have a plated surface. The tip
is still good and is slightly more narrow than we normally see
on earlier production. However, this blade still grades at excellent
plus plus to near mint. The original brown leather washer is in
place. An interesting, late-produced dagger that is sure to get
comments from your friends with the outrageous colored grip!Excellent Plus. $750.00
LD2 #27829 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Carl Eickhorn ("Over The Shoulder" Trademark)
This 2nd model
Luftwaffe has a rarely seen Eickhorn trademark, but we will get
to that a little further down in the description. The hilt fittings
are the aluminum type. The pommel is the style that Eickhorn used
occasionally, being identical to the example I show on Page 140.
This pommel has good definition to the oak leaves and has some
hand enhancing visible where the leaves meet the center ridge
area. There is some original gilding remaining on both of the
mobile swastikas. The reverse has approximately 40% - 50% and
the obverse has a less amount, being maybe 25% - 30%. Overall,
though, the wear to this pommel is not much. The cross guard is
a matching color tone having an eagle which flies to the viewer’s
left clutching a mobile swastika. There is excellent detail throughout
this bird to the head, eyes, breast feathering, talons and mobile
swastika. The reverse pebbling is also still crisp in the panel.
The cross guard quillon arms are engraved at the top with oak
leaves and acorns, being identical to the design I show on Page
147 of my Luftwaffe book, far right. The ferrule also matches
the book type. The grip of this example is a pleasing pumpkin
orange on the obverse and being just slightly lighter on the reverse.
It is wrapped with springy aluminum wire, showing some minor residue
in the wire surfaces, but if anything, it gives it some character.
The scabbard has a fine, darker airplane gray finish with bevel
style bands to match the darker tones. This scabbard is in choice,
mint condition and is identical to the one I show on Page 179,
far left. The scabbard throat is the thicker type and it is retained
by two headless, flush mount side screws. The blade of this example
shows a little bit of smudge in the center panel of the obverse,
but the rest of the blade on both sides is in choice mint condition.
All of the cross graining is there, as is the needlelike tip.
The reverse ricasso is stamped with the rarely seen over-the-shoulder
squirrel trademark. We see this trademark on naval daggers frequently
but almost never on 2nd model Luftwaffes. The blade is protected
by a blue pebbled in-place leather washer. A good 2nd model Luftwaffe
here for the “type” collectors out there.Excellent Plus, Plus. $1,295.00
LD2 #25529 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
This 2nd Model
Luftwaffe is equipped with generic hilt fittings. These aluminum
fittings are in outstanding condition. The pommel is the style
with pebbled background and is identical to the example I show
on Page 142. These generic pommels have the acorns below the swastika
all pointing upward. The swastikas on this pommel both have definite
signs of gilt remaining over their surfaces and it can be especially
seen from the side view. This pommel shows very little usage.
The cross guard is the typical generic style, having the large
pebbled panel in the reverse. The obverse guard depicts a great
looking eagle which flies to the viewer’s left, clutching
a swastika. This cross guard is the type that has the front edge
slightly cantilevering over the image. The quillon arms have the
cast-in style oak leaf and acorn decoration. They are identical
to the guard I show on Page 149, far left. The grip is a most
pleasing darker yellow color. It is about the shade of a cup of
lemon pudding. This grip is in perfect condition throughout and
it is tightly wrapped with a diminutive twisted brass wire. The
hilt is decorated with an original-to-the-piece 23cm portepee.
It is interesting to note that the original wearer tied this portepee
with the “crisscross” knot which was used in conjunction
with the First Model Luftwaffe. Apparently, the officer/owner
also had the First model and simply transferred his original portepee
to this 1937 model. This is the first time I have seen this, and
this knot definitely is original-to-the-piece and extremely set
in place. There is some fraying where the cording comes out of
the knot but, overall, I believe the knot gives good character
to the dagger. The scabbard is a very choice example, having crisp
pebbling and 100% airplane gray finish. It is the same type as
would have been produced by WKC. It also features the same carrying
bands as Page 180. The throat is a slightly thicker type which
overlaps on both sides. Like the WKC book example, the throat
is retained by one screw, however, the screw is a dome head type
which indicates a definite different assembler. (I think it is
interesting to note these small subtleties. Isn’t it a great
hobby!) The unmarked blade of this piece is nice and bright. It
has 100% of its original cross graining and still retains its
good tip. There are a couple of extremely mild age marks on the
blade, but they are really nothing, and would most likely clean
off with very little effort. This blade is in Near Full Mint condition.
It has been protected by a new-like brown leather washer in place
deep within the cross guard recesses. A nice Luftwaffe dagger
here.Near Mint. $695.00
LD2 #26698 2nd Model Luftwafe Dagger
This example
is composed of generic fittings and most likely was made wartime.
It shows very little usage, as its owner probably went off to
Russia or Africa. The hilt fittings are the usual gray aluminum
type having darkened factory backgrounds. The pommel appears to
be like the example I show on Page 140 of my Luftwaffe book, lower.
This pommel is quite interesting to examine, as it has lots of
hand-enhancing to the oak leaf depictions. The leaves have been
totally scrolled around the borders where they meet the center
ridge. Both of the mobile style swastikas are nicely vaulted.
The cross guard depicts a fine eagle which is flying to the viewer’s
left. This eagle has outstanding hand-enhanced details to his
eye, beak, breast feathering, legs and talons. He clutches a mobile
swastika. The reverse panels also have good detail and easily
have 100% of the airplane gray coating covering the surfaces.
The upper quillon arms have very beautiful engraved style oak
leaves and acorns. The engraving is really superior. This is one
of the example types which I did not have when I originally published
my book. This is one of the best panel engravings you will see.
Really looks great! The ferrule is also gray colored, matching
the other fittings. The grip of this example is a pleasing, off-white
color. It is in perfect condition and is wrapped with a thin twisted
brass wire. The scabbard is a typical generic type. It has matching
airplane gray surfaces and shows only the most nominal of age.
The bands are nicely detailed and the thin style throat is also
grayed to match. This throat is retained by a flush mount, headless
screw in the reverse center. This scabbard is easily in near mint
condition. The unmarked blade is a good example, having needlelike
tip and all of its cross graining. It shows a little bit of nominal
surface age, but it is really nothing and appears to be more from
the blade sitting than anything else. I believe that this nominal
age could come out with only a slight amount of work with semichrome.
This blade easily is in a near mint condition. This is a fine
dagger made by a small company who was producing generic items.
It would make a nice addition to any Luftwaffe collection.Excellent Plus, Plus. $895.00
LD2 #26627 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - E. Pack
This is an
early initial production example by the E. Pack firm. It is a
very good looking dagger, and is not quite in the condition shown
on page 168, right, but it has much of the same good looking aspects.
This dagger also is identical to the one that is shown on page
217, right, of my Luftwaffe book. The pommel is a textbook E.
Pack type. It has very good oak leaf depiction, with lots of hand
enhancing, particularly in the areas where the oak leaves meet
the center ridge. There is also stippling in these areas. As is
the case with early Pack pommels, the two circles around the swastika
enclose little pebbles. This same pommel can be seen on page 139,
of my Luftwaffe book. To add to the fun, the pommel has what appears
to be the original gilding, still nearly 100% on both of the pommel’s
swastikas. The crossguard is also a fine looking example. It features
a Luftwaffe eagle flying to the viewer’s left, clutching
a mobile swastika. The feather areas are still nice and crisp,
and this crossguard shows little wear. The upper quillon arms
have scribed oak leaf and acorn panels. The ferrule nicely matches
the other parts, having a little bit of toning. The grip is a
very pretty orange color on the obverse, fading to egg yolk-yellow
on the reverse. The grip is in perfect condition throughout, having
tightly wrapped springy wire. This grip does not have quite the
bulbous center seen on many other grips. A fine looking hilt here!
The scabbard is also attractive, and a Pack-unique type. This
scabbard is straight throughout, originally having a nickel finish.
Most of the nickel is beginning to thin, and there is a little
bit of pitting on the left edge, but it is nothing. The scabbard
is equipped with the large style bands, which have a brass base.
These bands really look great, with their golden tone against
the nickel color of the shell. These bands are identical to those
shown on page 217, right. The throat of this example is a thin
style, and it is retained by two dome head screws, which are located
fairly low – another Pack trait. The blade of this example
is still quite bright. There was a little bit of pitting at the
lower end, which someone tried to remove through buffing. They
have gotten it out, and the area looks pretty good. Other than
this area at the lower tip, the rest of the blade is nice and
bright, and appears to be a nickel-plated type. This blade looks
quite good. The reverse is etched with the large hammering Siegfried
waffen trademark. The two large words, Siegfried and Waffen, span
the arch shape, which has the details of the Pack firm within.
Inside of the arch is the hammering Siegfried figure. This blade
grades at least excellent, plus, plus. The original leather washer
is in place, deep within the crossguard recesses. A nice looking
dagger here, and a high quality piece. These early Pack examples
are not very plentiful, and we rarely see them.Excellent Plus, Plus. $1,195.00
LD2 #27816 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Unmarked WKC
This is a wartime
produced 2nd model Luftwaffe and it does not have a maker mark.
Take it from me, though, this piece is an absolute WKC produced
example throughout. It is also a recent Vet purchase. The dagger
has all aluminum fittings, being a slightly lighter attractive
tone throughout. The pommel is the same as I show in my Luftwaffe
book on page 142, right. This pommel is the type with the pebbling
in the backgrounds and it has good detail to the oak leaves. The
two swastikas, one on each side, are nicely raised out. This pommel
shows little to no wear. The cross guard is also a textbook variety,
being identical to the one on page 151, right. This cross guard
has outstanding detail to the eagle which is flying to the viewer’s
left. The feathering detail is outstanding, as is the beak, eye,
breast feathering, talons and mobile swastika. The reverse panel
also has good, crisp pebbling. The upper quillon arms have the
engraved style oak leaves and acorns. As indicated, they are the
same as the book. The ferrule is also a matching color. This dagger
is equipped with an off-white grip. This grip is in perfect condition,
nicely wrapped with springy aluminum wire. The scabbard matches
the hilt exactly. It is a typical WKC type, being identical to
the one I show on page 180. This scabbard has crisp pebbled panels
and the oak leaves to the carrying bands are nicely detailed with
the pebbling in the backgrounds, the same as the book. The throat
is retained by a single flat screw on the right side, typical
of this producer. The throat is also the more ovaled shape as
seen in the bottom of page 181. The blade of this example is nice
and bright throughout, having 100% cross graining and good tip.
There is just the most modest of age in a couple of areas but
it is really nothing. This blade easily grades in near full mint
condition. The brown pebbled washer is in place within the cross
guard recesses. A very fine, unmarked WKC example.Near Mint. $795.00
LD2 #25746 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Arthur Schuttlehofer
This 2nd Model
Luftwaffe is a later made piece and has a fairly rare maker mark.
We do not see the Arthur Schuttlehofer mark very often. The fittings
on this hilt are the generic type. They are done in an airplane
gray finish. The pommel is the pebbled background style and it
is identical to the example that I show in my Luftwaffe book on
Page 142. This pommel shows mild wear and a few scratches over
the obverse swastika. The cross guard is also a generic variety,
being identical to the example which is shown on Pages 152 and
153. This cross guard portrays an eagle flying to the viewer’s
left clutching a swastika. It shows very little wear and there
is good detail to this bird’s head, breast, talons, wing
feathering and of course, the swastika. The reverse pebbling is
the larger type we see with this producer. The upper quillon arms
feature the cast in type, overlapping oak leaves. This cross guard
looks the same as the Schuttlehofer example I show on Page 220.
This dagger is equipped with an off-white grip. This grip shows
some mild age and usage but, overall, it is in perfect condition,
probably being the plaster-filled type. The grip is tightly wrapped
with aluminum springy wire. The ferrule is the same as Page 220.
The scabbard is a generic type also, having a good airplane gray
finish. This scabbard is straight except for some minor rippling
towards the lower portion. The throat is a thinner style and is
left in its natural state, being unplated. This throat is retained
by a single headless flush mount screw in the reverse center area.
The blade of this example is extremely nice. It is bright throughout
and has 100% of the original cross graining. This blade is in
mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the stylized
double oval trademark used by this company. The inner perimeter
areas have the name of the company and its location, “A.
Schuttlehofer & Company Solingen-Wald”. In the center
area is the crossed hobbyhorses logo and beneath this is the abbreviation
of the firm’s name, “Asso”. This mint conditioned
blade is kept in good condition by its brown pebbled leather washer,
which is still in place deep within the cross guard recesses.
A nice dagger which would be in a near mint state were it not
for the rippling at the lower scabbard. Still a nice example.Excellent Plus. $895.00
LD2 #23793 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger - Puma
We do not see
many Puma-made, 2nd model Luftwaffes. The only one I show in my
Luftwaffe Book is on page 309 and 310. The book piece has the
identical crossguard as this example. The crossguard depicts an
eagle flying to the left, clutching a swastika. His wing detail
is outstanding as is the pebbled panel on the reverse. The pommel
exactly matches the dark airplane color gray of the crossguard.
The two swastikas are of a lighter metal tone contrasting nicely
with the darker backgrounds of this pommel. The pommel has good
detail to the oak leaves. The ferrule also matches these two fittings.
The grip is a very pleasing lighter orange color. It remains in
totally perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with springy
aluminum wire. The scabbard also has matching airplane gray tones
with the bands being of slightly lighter color. The pebble patterns
are still mostly crisp across this straight scabbard. The wreath
depictions to the oak leaf bands are also excellent. The throat
is retained by one side screw on the right, usually indicating
this scabbard was produced by WKC. Since Puma did not make its
parts this could be expected. The blade of this example is still
bright and retains its needlelike tip. Most, if not all, of the
original crossgraining remains across the blade’s surfaces.
There are a couple of extremely spider web like stains in the
surfaces, but I think these could come out with a little cleaning
effort. Otherwise, this blade is in near full mint condition.
The reverse is etched with the diamond pattern which retains the
head of the mountain lion cat. Below the head is the name of the
firm, “Puma”. Outside of this is the location town of,
“Solingen”. The blade has been protected by a tan color
washer which is in place within the crossguard recesses. This
is a tough maker to find if you are collecting “types”
for 2nd Lufts.Excellent Plus, Plus. $895.00
Near Mint. $995.00(#121311)