Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer Dagger with an unmarked blade, complete with its steel scabbard, original aluminum bullion portepee, and a partial hanger. The dagger features aluminum hilt fittings with surviving gray oxide finish, an unusually well preserved ivory colored celluloid grip, and a very strong blade retaining extensive original factory crossgrain, or Pliesten, on both sides.

The celluloid grip is especially attractive and has retained its original ivory coloration rather than darkening significantly with age. It remains in very good condition with a well defined tapered profile and its original twisted wire wrap still present, though the wire is somewhat loose. There is light wear and staining, but no major cracks, chips, or structural damage.

The pommel is in very good condition and retains strong original detail. The mobile swas on both sides remain clear, with the surrounding oak leaf decoration strongly raised and hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum and retains much of its original gray oxide finish, particularly within the recessed portions of the design.

The eagle shaped crossguard is likewise made of aluminum and retains crisp feathering with comparatively light service wear. The eagle flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas in its talons, while the reverse panel retains its fine pebbled texture. The original oxide antiquing remains visible in recessed areas, while the raised surfaces show more of the exposed aluminum base metal.

Tied around the grip beneath the guard is an original aluminum bullion portepee in very good condition. It shows moderate wear from use, including minor fraying, localized oxidation, and some loss of bullion from the threads along the stem of the end ball. The grip ferrule is plated steel and remains well preserved beneath the portepee, showing an aged gray oxidized finish with only a small amount of visible rust.

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades, and it is in very good condition. The blade flats were burnished mirror bright during production, while the bevels retain almost the full factory final polish grind crossgrain on both sides, a finish known in German as Pliesten. It 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 original crossgrain is an especially important feature because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture.

The needle-like tip of the blade is still intact, and the edges are correctly unsharpened, and free of nicks and dents. There is some scattered light oxidation staining on both sides, which we have left alone to avoid disturbing the grain. 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 steel scabbard is in very good condition and remains free of major dents. It retains nearly all of its original plated finish, which appears to be zinc plating and has developed a light gray oxidized patina overall. The hanger bands are plated zinc with strongly defined, hand enhanced oak leaf decoration set at approximately a 45 degree angle. They show light wear with most of the plating still intact.

The scabbard throat is the wider pattern and is retained by a single flush mounted screw on the rear.

Attached to the scabbard is a partial hanger in very good condition. Both scabbard spring clips remain present and fully functional, but the upper attachment clip is completely missing, leaving the upper and lower straps attached only at the scabbard end. The metal clips show some oxidation and plating wear, while the straps themselves display very little wear. The bullion fronts remain intact, and the velvet reverse sides show only light service wear.

With its unusually well preserved ivory colored celluloid grip, aluminum fittings with surviving oxide finish, original portepee, strong unmarked crossgrain blade, nearly fully plated steel scabbard, and surviving partial hanger, this is a very appealing 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer Dagger. The loose grip wire, light blade staining, minor portepee wear, small areas of oxidation, and missing upper hanger clip are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Luftwaffe edged weapon, German WWII officer dagger, crossgrain blade, or advanced Third Reich militaria collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15 1/8”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 5/8”