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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. 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.

RLBOFF - 001 - 26659 - 2nd Model RLB Officer – No Maker

This RLB Officer is of nice quality throughout, and has not been cleaned in some time. It has the heavy style hilt fittings, which are a nickel base covered with silver plating. The pommel at the top shows a little bit of wear, and a slight hit at the pointed area. There are also some minor taps along the edges, but nothing serious. This pommel has the decorative line, which goes around its center equator. The crossguard is a fine example, being in good condition throughout. It features the art-deco bird with short stubby wings. The bird looks to the viewer’s right, and clutches a plain wreath. Floating inside of the wreath is a mobile-style swastika. The quillon arms of this crossguard have four lines decorating each one, which are on both sides. The shape of this quillon is actually triangular at the ends. The grip is a leather covered wood base. The original leather is in good condition throughout. The obverse has nice graining, and the reverse has a few wearing signs, but no cuts or problems. As is usually the case, this leather covering is done in two-piece construction, and it is a blue-black color. The grip insignia is a beauty. It is the sunburst variety, and all of the silvering appears to be there. At the center is a mobile swastika, which is made with enamel. There is one tiny hit to the enamel, but it is nothing. This enamel rates at about 98%. Nice grip button here. The scabbard shell is straight throughout. This shell also reflects fine original leather covering. The blue-black leather has all of the graining, and nicely matches that of the grip. This shell has three mounts, which are matching silver plate. These mounts are in good condition throughout, and are retained by small flush mount screws in the edges, all of which are present. The upper and center ramp are fitted with carrying rings. The blade of this example remains nice and bright. In fact, it has all of its original crossgraining, and still retains a fine needle tip. This unmarked blade is in mint condition. The blade has been protected by an in-place checkered blue leather washer. This is a nice RLB Officer piece. These are getting difficult to find, and this one will go nicely in any collection.
Excellent, Plus, Plus (26659) $2,895.00

RLBOFF - 002 - 25800 – 1st Model RLB Officer by Alcoso

This is a textbook, initial production, RLB Officer piece. It shows some modest wear and usage, but overall, it is in very collectable condition, and is textbook all the way. The fittings, of course, are the heavy solid nickel base. They also have been silver plated, and accordingly, are evenly patinated throughout. This dagger does not look to have been cleaned in many years. The pommel is the style with pointed top. The rim has been lined decorated, and still reflects good factory darkening in the backgrounds. This pommel is in excellent condition throughout, showing only normal usage. The matching crossguard depicts the stubby winged RLB eagle, which looks to the viewer’s right. The details, to the head and wing, have been hand engraved. This art deco bird clutches a plain wreath, which contains a pierced-style, open mobile swastika. The quillon arms extend outward, and each of them is line decorated, on both sides. These quillon arms are actually shaped in a triangle, which is noticeable looking at the ends. It is also interesting to see that the right quillon end is waffen amted. This waffen amt consists of a stick bird eagle, positioned over the number, “96”. The grip is also in choice condition. This grip is a wood base, and has been leather covered, using two pieces of leather. This is the proper method normally seen on original leather coverings. The leather is totally perfect, being a choice blue-black color, and still retaining its grain throughout. The center of the grip is bulbous, and has an applied RLB 1st type insignia. This insignia consists of a silvered starburst, having the organization’s initials raised out in blue enamel, in the center. The initials, “RLB”, are nicely done, and it appears that almost all the enamel is still there, with a little missing on the first leg of the, “R”. Beneath the initials is a small mobile swastika, which has 100% of the blue enamel remaining. The starburst shows only a slight amount of wear to the silvering, but still rates at, at least 98%. The scabbard shell is nice and straight. It is covered with original blue leather, which exactly matches the color and grain of the grip covering. This leather is still in perfect, intact condition, on the obverse. It has a couple of standard bumps and signs of wear, but no cuts. The reverse is also in choice condition, having a small rub toward the lower edge, but other than this, remains good. The shell has an upper and lower scabbard mount. These mounts are also silvered nickel, and they are in perfect condition, exactly matching the patination of the hilt fittings. It is also interesting to note that the upper fitting has a vague silhouette of the wreathed swastika, where it protects this portion of the mount. These mounts are retained by flathead, flush mount, silvered screws. The upper mount also has the original short hanger. (Often, these hangers are gone, as the dagger had more weight than it should for the small hanger). The leather on this example is still intact, and is a blue-black color. This leather is retained by the two nickel-ovaled plates, which are held by two dressed head rivets. The snap clip is a matching silvered solid nickel example, having the hardware marking, “A”, and, “DRGM”. The blade of this example is still in good condition. It is polished example, which retains about 60% to 70% of its original crossgraining. It shape is still perfect, with its needle-like tip. The blade shows some usage and a little bit of age, but it still easily rates at excellent, to excellent plus, and could be cleaned up further by the next owner. The reverse ricasso is etched with the early Alcoso trademark, used from 1935 through 1937. This trademark consists of the scales logo, and has the large letters, “ACS”, interspersed. There is no other marking, or name of the company. The original, pebbled blue-black leather washer, is in place. It is also interesting to note, that there is a stick bird waffen amt on the scabbard throat. The “6” of this number still remains, but the 9 did not appear, when the stamping was made. These early pieces were obviously inspected by factory personnel, before they were released to the Reichluftbund Organization. This is a great opportunity to acquire a good conditioned, textbook example. This piece has never been in a collection, and has recently come out of the woodwork.
Excellent, Plus $5,295.00

RLBOFF - 003 - 1ST MODEL RLB OFFICER - Paul Weyersberg.

This very rarely seen 1st Model is of absolute earliest quality. It looks to have been cleaned not too many years ago, revealing the outstanding silvered finish throughout these solid hilt fittings. These fittings are still nearly as crisp as new examples. The pommel cap is the style with pointy top. The fitting has never been hit, retaining exactly its original shape - rare to see this. The fluted pommel edge is also nearly completely mint, having only one very minor flaw. The crossguard is in the same condition, having full silvering. The extended fluted straight quillon arms are crisp throughout. The center guard portrays the art-deco eagle. It is a beauty, featuring a "floating" swastika within the wreath. The end of the right quillon is waffen-amted. It consists of a stick bird, having the number, "96", below the bird. The blue-black leather grip is in perfect condition, having fine graining and showing virtually no wear. The 1st style grip button features the blue enameled RLB initials, with small matching enameled swastika below. The insignia are placed on a silver-over-copper sunburst. The silvering is thinning slightly, but not bad. The scabbard shell is straight throughout. The original leather is in perfect condition, having received a sealing coat of lacquer years ago - could have been done by the original wearer. This lacquer could easily be removed with some acetone, but I think it looks fine the way it is, and it continues to protect the delicate surfaces beneath. The leather is a blue black color matching the grip. The scabbard mounts have perfect silvering. They are in choice dent-free condition. They are retained by flathead style screws, not seen on later made examples. The heads are unturned. The scabbard throat of this example is waffen amted in the same manner as the crossguard end. The short leather hanger is present, as is the belt loop. The leather is in good condition throughout. This leather is equipped with nickel oval disks which close the loop via rivets, and a nickel snap clip. The clip is marked, "A" and "DRGM". The belt loop is complete with nickeled "D" ring. The blade of this example is the best you will see - absolutely stone mint. It is mirror bright, having easily 100% of the original cross graining. The tip retains its original needle-like point. Great to see a blade this nice. The reverse ricasso is etched with the double-ovaled circles of this company logo. Trapped within the circles is the company and location. Inside, is the excaliber type sword flanked by wheat shafts. The blue-black leather washer is in place. Fine-conditioned original.
Near Mint (GPL106) $5,495.00

RLBOFF - 005 -2ND MODEL RLB OFFICER - No Maker.

This early example shows normal usage, but still has good collectible condition. The hilt fittings are the early solid brass base metal variety, having nickel-plated finish. The pommel is the earlier pointed variety - has taken a mild hit to the point, however, and also shows a little carrying usage along the line-decorated side rim. The crossguard features the very wide-armed art-deco eagle. These quillon arms are in excellent condition, featuring a similar lined motif decoration. The crossguard is in perfect condition, showing only a little slight wear in the center areas of the bird body only. The grip leather is a fine-grained, blue-black color. The obverse leather is still in perfect condition. The reverse shows a few scuffs, but none of them are through to the base wood material - they are easily covered with a little polish. The second style grip insignia is a beauty. It retains nearly all of the original silvering across the sunburst background areas - rates at about 95%. The contrasting black enamel swastika is a choice example, having nearly full 100% intact enamel - rare to see this anymore. This swastika only shows the most nominal of usage when examined through a loupe. The scabbard shell is straight throughout. The orignal leather is in remarkable condition, having no cuts or nips, and retaining fine grain pattern. Other than some normal wearing signs, this leather is in perfect condition - hard to find leather this nice. The scabbard fittings are the early solid nickel type. They are in good shape throughout, the lower showing a little carrying usage only, but no denting. All scabbard fittings are retained with headless, flush-mount, side screws. The blade is a quality, unmarked example. It retains its original bright surfaces, and the cross graining is mostly all there. The blade tip is still factory needle-like. Other than normal in and out markings, this blade is in near full mint condition. The original blue-black leather washer is in place. Fine, collectible example.
Excellent Plus (4914) $2,895.00

RLBOFF - 009 - 24706 – 1ST MODEL RLB OFFICER – Alcoso

This RLB 1st Officer example has not been cleaned in many years. It sports a fine patination across the silvered solid nickel fittings. The pommel is the early style with pointy top. It is in good condition throughout, having the rim with decorative line which runs around it. There are no carrying hits to this pommel whatsoever. The crossguard features the art deco eagle which looks to the collector’s right. This eagle has stubby little wings and carries a smooth wreath, which in turn, features a floating style mobile swastika. The crossguard arms are line decorated and the left quillon end is stamped with a stickbird and waffen amt. The waffen amt shows a, “WaA”. The actual number of the inspector is missing from this stamping, but the throat is also waffen amt and the number is picked up here being, “138”. These waffen amts are only seen on early production 1st model RLBs. The grip is a fine example having a wood base and covered with fine blue black leather. The leather has a choice grain and remains in perfect condition being completely original. This grip is covered with two pieces of leather. The grip button is the style with sunburst in the backgrounds and features the initials of the organization in the center area, “RLB”. Below the initials is a small swastika. The sunburst is worn mostly down to the copper base metal, and there is some enamel missing from the letters and the swastika. Overall, the enamel is approximately 70-80%. The scabbard shell is nice and straight. It was recently recovered by my conservator, and he did an excellent job. This leather is the same color and has the same grain and texture as the grip. When we recovered the piece we made sure that it was, in fact, a shell from a 1st model and not something that had been converted later. There are no holes in this scabbard other than the ones that should be in there! The scabbard mounts are beauties, exactly matching the patination and texture of the hilt fittings. These mounts are solid nickel having choice silvered finish. As mentioned above, the throat is waffen amted. These fittings are retained by fine silvered side screws. The original short hanger is in place. The original leather is in good serviceable condition and is still supple. This leather is retained by an oval nickel disk which is riveted in two places. This ovaled disk is slightly larger on the Alcoso daggers, than we see used on the Weyersberg varieties. The snap clip is a nickel example matching the rest of the dagger and being marked on the reverse in a diamond, “OLC”. The blade of this piece was not in good condition when I purchased it. I sent it out to have it properly resurfaced, and it came back in pretty nice condition. The blade is now easily in an excellent plus state. The reverse ricasso is etched with the producer’s large scales logo with the firm’s initials, “ACS” interspersed. This logo is the large scale used up until 1937. The original grained black leather washer is in place. A fine 1st model RLB dagger having a couple of restorations done to it, but it is priced accordingly, and is a very nice dagger which should fit well into the collection of someone on a budget.
Excellent Plus $3,995.00