Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer Dagger with an unmarked blade and its correct steel scabbard. The dagger shows attractive mid war construction with an aluminum pommel and crossguard, caramel toned celluloid grip, intact twisted bullion wire wrap, extensive surviving factory Pließten crossgrain on the blade, and a well preserved gray patinated scabbard. The grip has a noticeable chip and cracking near the ferrule, while the blade shows scattered oxidation staining and light cleaning but still retains strong original factory finish.

The celluloid grip has aged to a warm caramel color from its original lighter ivory tone. It retains a slightly tapered profile and remains tightly wrapped with twisted bullion wire. There is a chunk missing adjacent to the ferrule together with cracking in the same area. The grip remains firm on the tang with no appreciable movement.

The pommel is made from aluminum alloy and retains much of its original detail. The mobile swas on both sides remain clearly defined, as do the surrounding oak leaf decorations. The recessed areas retain darker antiquing that gives the design good contrast.

The eagle shaped crossguard is also aluminum and remains in very good condition. The obverse shows the characteristic Luftwaffe eagle with pronounced breast and talon area, flying to the left and clutching a mobile swas. Feather detail remains well defined with only light wear. The reverse is decorated with fine pebbling that remains clearly visible, with darker antiquing surviving in the recessed areas.

The ferrule appears to be plated steel and has developed an attractive oxidized patina while remaining structurally sound.

The blade is in very good condition and retains extensive original factory crossgrain, known in German as Pließten, across both sides. This texture is created by polishing the blades with large leather covered wheels using a slurry of extremely fine grit, and is nearly impossible to replicate using modern means. For advanced edged weapon collectors, the survival of this fine longitudinal finish is an important surviving factory characteristic on German edged weapons because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture.

Scattered oxidation staining is present across much of the blade surface. Some of this appears to have been cleaned in the past, but not aggressively enough to remove the factory Pließten. Light runner wear is visible along the flats, as commonly encountered from contact with the scabbard. There are also streaks of oxidation near the blade edges that appear consistent with old dried grease or preservative residue having been removed.

The blade edge remains correctly unsharpened, and the tip is intact without bending. The original leather blade buffer also remains present within the recess of the guard.

No maker mark is visible on the blade. Unmarked blades are encountered on Luftwaffe and Heer officer daggers, particularly where components were supplied through outfitters or assembled from blades sourced from established manufacturers. The surviving factory crossgrain and overall construction are consistent with period German production.

The steel scabbard remains in very good condition and is free from major dents. Its surface appears to have originally been zinc plated and has now matured to an even gray patina with areas of wear through the finish.

The pebbled scabbard panels remain well defined. This example does not have the oak leaf and acorn decorative panel near the lower portion that is seen on some other 2nd Model Luftwaffe scabbards.

The hanger bands are nonmagnetic and retain sharply defined hand enhanced oak leaf decoration set at approximately a 45 degree angle. They show only light wear. The harder steel suspension rings have worn slightly into the softer fittings, consistent with limited period use.

The throat is the narrower pattern and does not show external securing screws.

Overall condition is very good, with strong surviving detail to the hilt fittings, a firm grip, extensive original blade Pließten, and a dent free scabbard with attractive age patina. The principal condition points are the chip and cracking near the grip ferrule, scattered blade oxidation, evidence of light past cleaning, runner wear, and areas of finish loss on the scabbard.

With its extensive surviving factory crossgrain, unmarked blade, aluminum hilt fittings, caramel toned celluloid grip, original blade buffer, and well preserved scabbard, this is a strong example of a German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer Dagger. It would fit especially well in a Luftwaffe edged weapon, German officer dagger, or advanced WWII militaria collection.

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