Original WWII German 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with Scabbard - Unmarked Blade

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger with a very nice unmarked blade, complete with its original scabbard. The dagger has aluminum mountings, and shows light to moderate wear overall.

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 lovely shape throughout, and has a nice tapered shape, still tightly wrapped with twisted wire. There is just a bit of wear and light staining, which give it a great aged look, and there are not any major cracks or other damage, just some small chips and scuffs. The grip ferrule is plated steel, and has lost the original plating, now showing an oxidized patina.

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, and the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, and still retains much 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 in areas throughout the blade, with just a bit of runner wear on the blade flats. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is however oxidation staining in areas over a good portion of the blade, some of which was cleaned away in the past. The edge is correctly unsharpened, and there is just the tiniest bend on the tip of the blade.

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 in the recess of the cross guard, but is definitely a bit cracked and worn.

This steel scabbard is in good condition, showing a nice oxidized patina on the steel body, which was originally blue oxide coated. There is a significant dent on the front side of the scabbard just below the mid point, and the scabbard has just a bit of a bend, neither of which interferes with sheathing the blade. The hanger bands are zinc, and are well defined with hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. They have lost the original plating and are now an oxidized gray zinc color. The throat is the narrower version seen, secured by a flush mount screw on the rear of the scabbard.

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

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15 ½”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11⅝”