Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a rare 1st Model RLB Subordinate (Enlisted Man's) Dagger, complete with the correct scabbard and broken belt hanger. This early pattern example is in very good condition throughout, and differs from the more common 2nd pattern mainly due to the emblem on the grip, which is an RLB over a Swas (hook cross) on a starburst. The 2nd pattern has a much simpler starburst bearing only a large Swas, and this is the first time that we have had one of the rare 1st pattern examples of either the Subordinate (enlisted) or Leader (Officer) dagger.

The hilt mounts on this dagger are the nickel-plated pot metal type. The plating does show some oxidation and minor bubbling in areas, particularly where the hilt fittings are in contact with the wooden grips, as we often see. The pommel is in the characteristic derby shape with an equatorial band. The cross guard features a stubby-winged Art Deco-style eagle clutching a smooth wreath and swas. The quillons are decorated with cut lines and the ends are cut at 45 angles, presumably to impart a look of motion. The hilt is still tightly attached to the blade tang, with no wiggle.

The grip is a fine ebony example. It retains much of the original sheen finish and is in very good condition, showing some very light pressure denting, with just a bit of chipping near the cross guard. The insignia is the early style with a blue enamel RLB logo with a small enamel swas (hook cross) underneath, both superimposed over over a background sunburst. It has lost a good amount of the original plating, now showing the copper base metal beneath. The enamel is retained at about 75%, with some areas having chipped and flaked away.

The blade of this dagger is in very good condition, retaining the original factory crossgrain throughout the blade surface. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is a bit of runner wear and scuffing, as well as staining and spots of oxidation on both sides, which we have left in place to avoid damaging the blade further. The edges are correctly unsharpened, and there is just a tiny bend on the very tip. The maker logo on the back is mostly legible, obscured just a bit by oxidation.

This example was made by Paul Weyersberg & Co., Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory) of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. The reverse ricasso is etched with a partial PAUL WEYERSBERG & Co. / SOLINGEN in double ovals around the firms trademark "Sword-and-Wreath" logo, which was the only marking they used during the Third Reich era. This company was one of many in Solingen owned by members of the Weyersberg family, and was founded in 1840, but not registered with Solingen until 1921. They made a large number of edged weapons during the interwar period, and then during the third reich era. The company survived the war, but ceased production in 1955. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

The scabbard is in very good lightly patinated condition, showing no denting or bends in the steel body. The original black enamel paint is well retained at about 80%, showing crazing due to age, and some spots where the paint has flaked away, allowing the steel to oxidize. The solid nickel mounts are in good shape, showing a lovely oxidized patina, and the flush-mount retaining screws for the drag are both present.

Attached to the scabbard is the triangular hanger retainer wire, which still has the bent sheet nickel base of a hanger attached, with the leather inside. The rest of the leather however tore away, along with the spring clip, however it was then clipped to the retainer wire, and is still present. It is a solid nickel type, marked with the OLC in a diamond trademark of Overhoff & Cie. of Lüdenscheid, a known producer of these end clips during the war. The remaining leather is in very delicate condition, and is literally falling apart.

An very nice example of a rare 1st Model RLB Subordinate dagger by a desirable Solingen maker, complete with scabbard and broken hanger. These are always hard to find in any condition!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 8 3/4"
Blade Style: Double Edged Spear Point
Overall length: 13 3/4“
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 9 1/4"

The Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) (National Air Raid Protection League) was an organization in NSDAP Germany in charge of air raid precautions in residential areas and among smaller businesses. The RLB was organized by Hermann Göring in 1933 as a voluntary association. Existing volunteer air raid precaution associations were forced to merge with RLB. In 1939 the RLB became a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization), while in 1944 it became an affiliated organization of the NSDAP Party. RLB was dissolved by the Allied Powers after the end of World War II. Its successor in the Federal Republic of Germany was the Bundesverband für den Selbstschutz.

The RLB was in charge of educating and training ordinary German men and women in civil defence procedures necessary for the basic level of local self-help of the civil population against air raids. The local level was formed around air raid wardens and operated in small first intervention squads. The training include fire fighting, protection against chemical weapons, communication procedures and preparation of houses and apartments against air raids.

In 1939 the RLB had about 15 million members, 820 000 volunteer functionaries (of which 280,000 women) and 75,000 local units. The membership was trained at 3,800 civil defense schools with 28,000 instructors.

- RLB was led by a Präsidium, whose president, and vice president and chief of staff, were active duty general officers of the Luftwaffe. The presidium was in itself a department immediately subordinated to the Ministry of Aviation.

- Coterminous with each Luftgaukommando (air district command) was a RLB-Gruppe (RLB-group) under a leader aided by 46 full-time staff members.

- For each Regierungsbezirk, there was a RLB-Bezirksgruppe (regional group).

- The basic organization was the RLB-Revier, one for each police precinct in the cities, or the RLB-Gemeinde-Gruppe, one for each urban or rural municipality for the rest of the country. In the case of a city with several precincts, the citywide organization was called an RLB-Ortsgruppe (local group). Several municipal groups formed an RLB-Ortskreisgruppe, one for each Landkreis. Each Ortsgruppe and Ortskreisgruppe had a leader and a staff of nine members, of which five where full-time salaried employees.

- The basic organizations had a varied number of Untergruppen (sub-groups) divided into Blocke (blocks) under Blockwarte (block wardens) which controlled and liaised with a number of Luftschutzgemeinschafte (air raid protection communities) under Luftschutzwarte (air raid wardens). Each community consisted of an apartment building or several smaller buildings, although a large apartment complex could have several communities. In addition to the warden, the community should have an assistant warden, house fire fighters, helpers and messengers as a first intervention squad. Duty in these squads were compulsory (Notdienstpflicht) for the civilian population.