Original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger by E. & F. Hörster with Scabbard & Portepee

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made by the well- known firm of E. & F. Hörster, Waffenfabrik (weapons factory). The celluloid grip of this dagger is a nice amber color, the color of aged stained ivory. It has a nice tapered shape, and is tightly wrapped with bullion bound twisted wires. It does show some light staining and wear, and there is some chipping near the pommel.

The hilt mounts are in similar condition with a lovely patina of age. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail. The "mobile" swass on both sides are clear and the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, with a nice darkened finish in the recessed areas. The hilt is overall still tight on the tang of the blade, with no wobble.

The crossguard is also made of Aluminum, which was an "Air Age" material, which was 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. The guard shows light wear and has great feathering on the eagle. The bird, of course, flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling, which is still clear. The antiquing is worn away in some areas.

Tied around the bottom of the grip is an original portepee, which is in very good condition, and tied in the Luftwaffe style. It does show wear and fraying, with some areas completely missing the bullion covering, which shows the underlying fabric cords. It has a great service worn look that is impossible to duplicate. The ferrule looks to be plated steel, and it is still in very good condition, with the plating still fully intact, having been protected by the portepee.

The very good condition blade is mostly bright, showing much of the original factory final grind cross grain throughout the blade surface. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There has however been past oxidation staining to the blade, now cleaned away, which has made the cross grain faint in areas. The edge has correctly not been sharpened, but we can feel small irregularities and bends on the edge, probably from contacting a hard surface. The original blade buffer is unfortunately missing.

The reverse ricasso of this dagger is etched by maker E. & F. HÖRSTER / SOLINGEN in an oval "lozenge" around the company's trademark downward pointing sword piercing interlocking HHS initials. E. & F. Hörster & Co Gmbh, Waffenfabrik (weapons factory), is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons. The firm lasted long after WWII, finally being declared insolvent in 1996. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

This steel scabbard is a fine, straight example, and looks to be made of zinc plated steel. The plating is probably retained at about 70%, with wear through on the narrow sides of the scabbard. The plating has matured to a lovely dark gray patina, and the areas where it is worn now have an oxidized patina. The finely grained pebbled panels look great, as doe the oak leaf and acorn panels close to the bottom. The bands are aluminum, and are well defined and have outstanding hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. They do show wear, as the softer alloy was more easily worn away, and one has a small dent in it. The throat is retained by a single dome headed screw on the rear of the scabbard.

This is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with scabbard and portepee. Made by a desirable maker and offered in very good condition, this dagger is ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15 1/4”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”