Original WWII German 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger by Rare Maker C. Gustav Spitzer AG with Scabbard and Portepee

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger, complete with a scabbard and portepee. It is a fine Solingen-produced example made by the rare firm of C. Gustav Spitzer AG, a highly desirable maker of edged weapons. We have only had a few items by this maker, and they seem to have made items on a small scale. The celluloid covered wooden grip of this dagger is a nice light ivory white color, and has not faded to orange as they so often do. It has a nice slightly tapered shape. and is wrapped in bullion wrapped twisted brass wire, which shows oxidation. We cannot see any chipping or cracks, just some staining and light wear from service.

The hilt mounts are in very good condition with a lovely lightly worn patina of age, looking to be made of oxide highlighted aluminum. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail. The "mobile" swas (hook crosses) on both sides are still present, though one side has some denting towards the bottom, which affects other parts of the design. The oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel and grip are still tight to the tang.

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. 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 leather blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the cross guard. The ferrule looks to be nickel plated steel, and it is still in very good condition.

Wrapped around the grip and cross guard is an original aluminum bullion portepee (sword knot), which shows wear and fraying commensurate with age and service. It is still mostly solid, however there is definitely some bullion missing from the slider and parts of the end knot. The cord also shows some loss and wear, particularly where it is looped over itself.

The very good condition blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades. It is bright and shiny, showing just a few small areas of past light staining, removed by cleaning. The original factory final grind cross grain is visible throughout the blade, something we rarely see! This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The edge is correctly unsharpened, and we do not see any bends to the tip or nicks in the edge. There is the expected runner wear from the scabbard, but overall this really is a great blade, well above average.

This fine example was produced by rare maker C. Gustav Spitzer AG, Stahwaren-Fabrik (Steelware Factory), and rear of the blade is stamped with the company's name and address marking surrounding their "Prancing Lion" trademark:

C. GUSTAV SPITZER
(Lion Trademark)
SOLINGEN

The lion is very well executed, with his left front paw high in the air, with a wagging tail and a flicking tongue. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1863 by Carl Gustav Spitzer, and later registered in Solingen in 1883. It made pocket, sporting, and hunting knives, and by 1928 was owned by Ernst Spitzer. They manufactured several different types of knives during the war, including specifically early SA daggers bearing their lion trademark. They also manufactured various private purchase "walking out" bayonets.

The steel scabbard is in very good condition, dent free and straight with a good amount of the original nickel plating intact. There is some scattered flaking and oxidation, but overall it presents beautifully, though it is missing the lower hanger band and ring. The remaining upper hanger band look to be plated zinc, and is well defined with hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. The throat is the narrower version seen, retained by two flush mount screws on the narrow sides of the scabbard.

This really is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger, made by a rare maker and offered in very good service condition, complete with its original scabbard and portepee. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15 1/8”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”