The Reichsluftschutzbund or RLB was the official air raid protection group for the state. It was established by Air Minister, Hermann Göring in 1935. RLB groups were kept busy training the German population for civil defense. Beginning in 1936, enlisted members of this organization were issued a dagger. The dagger had nickeled mounts with black ebony grip and black painted scabbard. The short hanger was permanently attached to the scabbard. The 1st Pattern example had an applied grip insignia which features the organization's initials, RLB, in a blue enamel superimposed over a silvered sunburst. The second style dagger was issued in 1938. It was essentially the same dagger, however, the grip insignia featured a large black-enameled swastika, superimposed over a sunburst. The blades were a plain polished finish variety. The Officers of the RLB initially carried daggers with one scabbard suspension ring with early RLB lettered insignia on the grip. The dagger has silvered nickel mounts with leather covered grip and matching scabbard shell. A 2nd Officer Pattern was introduced in 1938. It was nearly identical to the previous type, except the new insignia of the RLB, a large black enameled swastika grip emblem, was substituted for the earlier RLB grip emblem. Additionally a center ramp was added to the scabbard to accommodate a more substantial two strap hanging method. Many existing 1st Pattern daggers were converted to 2nd types during the period.

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1. RLBALL #34341C 2nd Model RLB Officer's Dagger – Paul Weyersberg

   This 2nd Model RLB Officer's Dagger does not appear to have been cleaned in many years if at all. It is a fine piece having solid nickel silver plated hilt mounts. The pommel cap still has its original pointy top and the top surfaces as well as the edges around the pommel are in perfect condition. The edge of the pommel has a decorative groove that runs around the circumference. The crossguard features the stubby winged, art deco eagle which looks to the viewer’s right. This bird grasps a wreath with a open swastika within the wreath. The details to the bird’s brow, eye and beak appear to be hand enhanced. The crossguard arms are a triangular shape and each arm has three grooves in its surfaces. The pommel and crossguard are nicely patinated. The grip is a wood base. It is bulbous in the center and tapers on both ends. This grip is covered using two pieces of Moroccan leather. The leather shows some usage signs but overall it is still in first rate condition with no cuts or problems. All of the original grain is still intact. The grip features a button having a sunburst in the backgrounds. The original silvering still appears to be intact throughout the sunburst. The mobile swastika in the center has perfect black enamel – rare to see these with enamel in this condition. A very nice hilt here!

   The scabbard shell is straight throughout. This metal shell is covered with matching blue black Moroccan. The leather is still in excellent condition throughout only showing normal wearing signs commensurate with the grip. The grain is also still throughout this leather. The scabbard mounts are the silver-plated steel base type. This would indicate that this piece was made as a 2nd Model and was not converted from a 1st. These scabbard mounts have deeply patinated surfaces and the silvering is 100% throughout. The mounts are retained by headless side screws. The center and upper mount are equipped with eyelets and hanging rings.

   The fine blade is still nice and bright and has most of its crossgraining still intact. The tip is remains needlelike. This blade grades in near mint condition. The reverse ricasso is etched with the oval trademark of this firm. The ovals contain the firm’s name and location, “Paul Weyersberg & Co. Solingen”. Inside is a downward pointing sword postioned between two wheat shafts. The original blue black matching leather washer is in place. A very nice RLB officer here showing some usage of the period but still having fine condition. A great collectible example.

   Excellent Plus, Plus. $2,995.00(#050613)

2. RLBALL #34942C 1st Model RLB EM Dagger – Ernst Witte

   This is a fine initial production RLB enlisted example which has the solid nickel hilt fittings. The dagger has a nice dull patina throughout the nickel and looks its best. The pommel cap is the usual “derby” shape having good smooth surfaces throughout with the edges of the center eclipse being still crisp. The crossguard features the stubby winged art deco eagle. This bird looks to the viewer’s right and clutches a wreath with swastika having a pebbled background in the wreath. The details to the eye, brow and beak of the bird look to be hand enhanced. The matching nickel crossguards are grooved with three lines cut into all of the surfaces. The quillon ends are cut on a forty-five degree angle to give the effect of motion. The ebony grip is bulbous in the center tapering on both ends. The grip on the obverse appears in perfect condition. On the reverse there are a few minor usage signs probably from where the hanger hit the grip when it was laid down. The obverse of the grip has a centered starburst emblem. The silvering is still totally intact to the starburst. In the center area are the initials of the organization, “RLB”. Each of the initials has a blue enamel all of which is in place. Below the initials is a blue enameled mobile swastika. A very nice hilt here!

   The scabbard shell is a steel base being completely straight throughout. This shell is equipped with very nice original black paint. This paint has only the most nominal of wearing signs and does have some minor age spidering in the surfaces. Overall though the paint is at least 99% and still retains its original sheen. The scabbard is equipped with a nickel-plated lower mount in perfect condition as well as a nickel-plated throat. The lower mount is retained by two flathead side screws. The throat is retained by a single flatter head screw in the center obverse. Attached to the upper right section of the scabbard is an eyelet which retains a triangular wire form. Attached to this is the original hanger. The attaching area is a steel tab which is bent through the wire hanging segment and is retained by four rivets. The leather is still in good condition being a dark brown color and showing some nominal usage but it is still sound and will last many years into the future. The snap clip is a matching solid nickel type and it is marked on the reverse, “OLC” within a diamond.

   The blade of this example is as nice as you will find them. It remains factory bright and still has all of its crossgraining. Other than normal nominal runner marks this blade is in mint condition with needlelike tip. The reverse ricasso is etched with the diamond trademark used by this company. Within the diamond is a crown over the words, “Kroneck”. Beneath this is the letter, “W”. Positioned between the diamond is the firm’s full name and location, “Ernst Erich Witte / Solingen”. The original black leather blade washer is in position.

   It is difficult to find a 1st model example with these choice early fittings. A fine collectible piece here.

   Excellent Plus, Plus. $2,495.00

3. RLBALL #34823C Personalized 2nd Model RLB EM – W.K.& C.

   This 2nd Model RLB Enlisted Man’s Dagger has good nickel hilt mounts. The pommel cap is in the style of a derby hat. It has a good crisp rim along the center showing some usage but no loss of plating. The crossguard features the art deco stubby winged eagle which clutches a smooth wreath having a raised swastika with pebble pattern behind the swastika. The eagle has good detail to his eye, beak and wing enhancements. The crossguards are triangular shaped and have triple lines on both sides. Each end is cut on a forty-five degree angle to give a simulation of movement. The grip is an outstanding ebony wood. This ebony grip is bulbous in the center tapering on both ends to a good handhold. The grip shows only normal usage but no chips or problems. Mounted on the obverse center is the second style grip button. This button has the sunburst in the backgrounds showing quite a bit of the copper flash coat with some silvering still remaining in the recesses of the sunburst. In the center, raised out, is a mobile swastika. This swastika has quite a bit of surface damage to the black enamel. It looks as though someone has touched it up slightly in the past. Incidentally, if you have a grip button like this it we can restore it to its original splendor if you want to send it to us.

   The scabbard shell is straight throughout. This shell has its original black paint which shows some spidering to the finish on the obverse and also some wear t othe edges and a few rust spots mostly on the lower obverse. The reverse area also has wear to the edges but the paint is a little bit better. Throughout the scabbard, the paint still shows brightness. This paint grades at about 80%. Attached to the triangular hanger bracket at the eyelet is the original nickel tab which holds a leather strap and snap clip. The leather appears original to this piece. This leather is in good condition. The nickel tab holds the leather with four small rivets. The snap clip at the end is a nickel type being marked, “A” and “DRGM”.

   The blade of this example is still nice and bright having a little bit of minor age in the surfaces but not much. The reverse blade still has the same equivalent brightness as the obverse. It is interesting to note that etched into the upper section of this reverse blade is the original owner’s name and his apparent assignment. It is etched, “A. Scharer L.s. Obertrupp m.” It is interesting to see this on an RLB as rarely do we see personalized examples. The reverse ricasso is etched with the knighthead trademark which is positioned above the factories name and location, “W.K.C. / Waffenfabrik / Solingen”. The original leather blade washer is in place. A good RLB here of high quality with its nickel mounts. It is somewhat possible that there could be research on the owner as we do have the name and the group to which he was assigned with the RLB. Either way, an interesting example.

   Excellent. $2,200.00

4. RLBALL #34418 2nd Model Enlisted Man's RLB Dagger – Paul Weyersberg

   This Enlisted Man’s RLB Dagger has a great look to it having been recently cleaned. The hilt mounts are the nickel type and the derby like pommel is in excellent condition throughout showing only modest wear to the sharp edges only. The plating is still all there rating near 100%. The crossguard eagle has some mild wearing scratches across the surfaces but this mount also has all of the plating. The mount consists of an art deco style eagle with stubby wings holding a plain wreath with mobile swastika raised out in the center. The swastika is highlighted by pebbling around it. The grip is a fine ebony wood being in perfect condition. This grip is bulbous in the center and tapers equally at both ends. The ebony has a nice luster to its finish. The grip emblem is the style with the sunburst in the background and a black mobile swastika with ebony finish. The finish is perfect throughout all of the legs except for the three o’clock example where there is some hits to the leg but the enameling is still all there revealing no base metal. The scabbard shell is a beauty being straight throughout. It has a very fine black paint job which may have been redone a number of years ago. Either way it was done professionally and looks outstanding still being nearly 100%. The scabbard throat and lower mount are also in good condition, having bright surfaces throughout. The lower mount is retained by two flush mount headless screws. The throat is retained by a rounder style head screw at the upper obverse.

   The hanger appears to be a replacement. It is an extremely well done job however. The folding tab at the triangular scabbard fitting appears to have been fabricated and it is used to retain the black leather which appears new. This leather is retained with four rivets in the proper manner. There is a nickel-plated snap clip marked with the “OLC” stamping on the reverse. Most collectors know these carrying straps were very often broken off because of the ridiculous balance provided to the hanger when the dagger was being carried. The Germans tended to lack on the engineering of this carrying method. I have no problem with this hanger being replaced as long as it is disclosed. The blade is nice and bright throughout not having a lot of crossgraining as it appears as though it may have been a plated blade. Either way it looks great and it is etched on the reverse with the double ovals of this firm containing the firm’s name and location, “Paul Weyersberg and Co. Solingen”. Inside is a wreath of oak leaves with a downward pointing sword. The original black leather blade buffer is in place. A very fine RLB here having some minor restoration but still a great dagger.

   Excellent Plus, Plus. $2,195.00

5. RLBALL #34699 1st Model RLB Officer's Dagger – Alcoso

   This 1st Model RLB Officer's Dagger has early solid nickel fittings. These fittings are outstanding throughout. The pommel is the style which comes to a point at the top sloping downward to a flat area having a decorative line running around the circumference. Below the line the pommel slopes to a narrower center area where it rests atop the grip. There are a couple of minor wearing signs around the center edge of the pommel but nothing bad. The crossguard is also an outstanding mount featuring the art deco eagle in the center having stubby wings and clutching a plain wreath which is pierced with a mobile swastika inside. The crossguards extend outward having decorative lined surfaces on both sides and being triangular shaped. The guards are in excellent condition throughout showing little wear. The grip is a beauty being a wood base and covered with fine grained Moroccan leather. The grip is bulbous in the center and tapers at both ends. The original leather remains in perfect condition being extremely appealing and being applied with two halves. The center obverse has the first style RLB button. This button presents a sunburst in the reverse and in the center are the enameled initials of the organization, “RLB”. The enameling is still excellent throughout these letters. Beneath the letters is a blue enameled small mobile swastika. The button has about 90% of its original silvering.

   The scabbard shell is straight throughout having matching Moroccan leather. This fine grained leather is in perfect condition on the obverse, right edge and reverse. The left edge has a few nips mostly at the lower area. These nips are not serious but they are there. A shame, as the rest of the scabbard is so nice. This early scabbard also features the twin decorative lines which run down the edges of both sides. The scabbard mounts are matching solid nickel type. They too are in choice original condition having nice patina exactly matching that of the hilt mounts. These mounts are retained by headless flush mount screws in undisturbed condition. The scabbard throat is marked with a waffenamt. It is a stick bird with the nomenclature, “WaA135”. I looked on the crossguard end for a waffen amt but I do not see it on this piece. Chances are it was just missed at the factory because lots of times we see the crossguards also waffen amt on these early RLBs. There is no hanger on this piece.

   The blade of this example, when we first received it had been repointed. A portion of the blade was missing from the end. We added the missing metal through a welding technique and have reshaped, pointed and repolished the tip area to match. This blade still has quite a bit of its original grain which can be seen if you look closely. The blade is mostly bright having a little bit of “smudge” on the surfaces of both sides but it certainly grades at excellent to excellent plus. The reverse ricasso is etched with the early trademark being the larger style scale with the firm’s initials, “ACS” interspersed. The original blade washer is in place. A very nice first model RLB here having a tip added onto the blade. This restoration of course is reflected in the sales price. An RLB in this same condition that did not have the restoration would sell for $2,500 to $3,000 more than we are asking for this example. A great opportunity here to add an original 1st model RLB Officer to your collection at a reasonable price.

   Excellent. $4,395.00