Item Description
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous commemorative miniature sword decorated on the guard with the Luftwaffe eagle and "LC 88 SPANIEN 1936-38" for Legion Condor Jagdgruppe 88, which was a German Condor Legion fighter group serving in the Spanish Civil War. The guard is inscribed on scrolls:
IM KAMPF
GEGEN DEN
BOLSCHEWISMUS
IN THE FIGHT
AGAINST THE
BOLSHEVIKS
The letter opener has a 6⅞” blade engraved TOLEDO at the ricasso. The engraving on the guard shows some heavy oxidation spotting, but the engraving is still clear, as is the detailing in the eagle. The overall length is 9¼”. The blade has some oxidation spotting with some minor loss of the plating. Interestingly, the guard is only attached at the crossguard, and was never attached at the pommel.
The Condor Legion was an expeditionary force of soldiers and airmen sent to aid the Spanish Nationalist group during the Spanish Civil War. The Germans used the war as an opportunity to evaluate new equipment, guns, vehicles and aircraft, and to develop tactical techniques which were later used in the 1939-45 conflict.
In addition to a detachment of converted Junkers Ju 52s, an initial cadre of six Heinkel He-51s, were despatched, with enough service staff to instruct the Spanish aircrews in the operation and maintenance of the aircraft. Under the leadership of Leutnant Hannes Trautloft J/88 arrived by sea in August 1936. While the Spanish Air Force pilots trained, Trautloft and the other pilots became the first of an eventual 326 aircrew who would serve with Jagdgruppe 88 during the next two and a half years.
This is an extremely scarce miniature sword presented to a member of Jagdgruppe 88, ready for further research and display.
Specifications:
Blade Length: 6⅞"
Overall length: 9¼”
Crossguard: 3”
- This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
