Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of an early production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger with a very nice unmarked blade, complete with its scabbard and a very nice belt hanger by F. W. Assmann & Söhne. The dagger has aluminum mountings, which originally had a lovely gray oxide finish, still well retained on the pommel and cross guard.

Unlike most examples that we see, the celluloid grip of this dagger still retains the original ivory color! These almost always fade to orange or darker over the years as the material degrades due to light exposure. It remains in great shape throughout, and has a nice tapered shape, still tightly wrapped with twisted wire. There is just a bit of wear and light staining, and not any major cracks or other damage, just some small chips and scuffs.

The hilt mounts are very good condition, showing some wear from service, but still looking great. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail. The "mobile" swas (hook crosses) on both sides are clear, still retaining most of the original bronze powder "gold paint”, the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, and still retains about most of the original oxide coating in the recessed areas of the design.

The crossguard is also made of Aluminum, which was an "Air Age" material, used to make most airplanes. It was considered fitting and desirable for the eagle-shaped guard to be made of this material. The front side is an eagle with a breast and talon area that is vaulted out much more so than the crossguards seen on other types of daggers. This guard shows little wear and has great feathering on the eagle. The bird, of course, flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas (hook cross) in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling, which is still clear. The oxide antiquing is still visible in the recessed areas of the guard, while more raised areas show the aluminum base metal well.

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades, and it is in very good condition! The original factory final polish grind cross grain is retained throughout the blade, with just a bit of runner wear on the blade flats and light oxidation spotting. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The edge is correctly unsharpened. There is some light wear from cleaning overall, with a bit of oxidation staining in areas.

There are no maker marks that we can see, but that is not uncommon for Luftwaffe and Army officer daggers. Outfitters often purchased unmarked blades from major makers, and would do the fitting themselves. The unique cross grain is definitive for WWII German production. The leather blade washer is still present and in great condition.

This steel scabbard is in very good condition, dent free and with almost all the original plating intact. It looks to have nickel or zinc plated, which now displays a light gray oxidized patina overall. The hanger bands are plated zinc, and are well defined with hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. They show light wear, with the plating mostly intact. The throat is the wider version seen, secured by a dome head screw on the top narrow side of the scabbard. 

The dagger comes complete with genuine original hangers that are in very good condition with no major issues, and a felt backing. The hardware all seems to be zinc, which was probably once silvered, but has faded to a dark patina. The end clips are the more complex and desirable sliding type. The belt and scabbard clips are all marked with the "barred A" trademark, of F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, a large maker of belts, buttons, and other accouterments. The velvet backing of the hanger is mostly intact, though there is wear at the edges. The bullion side on both straps is excellent. All spring clips are fully functional.

This really is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with belt hanger, offered in very good condition and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15¼”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11⅝”