{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-2nd-model-luftwaffe-officer-dagger-by-rare-maker-artur-schuttelhofer-co-with-scabbard","title":"Original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer Dagger by Rare Maker Artur Schüttelhöfer \u0026 Co. with Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe officer dagger manufactured by the rare Solingen firm \u003cem\u003eArtur Schüttelhöfer \u0026amp; Co.\u003c\/em\u003e, complete with its original steel scabbard. It is a very attractive mid-war example with a light amber celluloid grip, aluminum pommel and crossguard, strongly preserved factory blade crossgrain, original leather blade buffer, and the distinctive Artur Schüttelhöfer \u0026amp; Co. maker cartouche with the firm’s Two Hobby Horses in Saltire trademark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe celluloid covered wooden grip has mellowed to a pleasing light amber color and is somewhat darker on one side from differing light exposure over time. It remains in very good condition with only light staining and surface dirt, and no cracks or chips. The grip has the correct gently tapered form and is tightly wrapped with twisted wire, which shows age related oxidation. The grip ferrule is plated steel and retains nearly all of its original finish. Its oak leaf decoration, canted at approximately 45 degrees, remains sharply visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pommel is of aluminum construction and remains in very good condition with most of its original detail intact. The mobile swas on both sides remain clearly defined, surrounded by raised oak leaf decoration with extensive hand enhancement. Darkening in the recessed areas helps emphasize the design and gives the hilt an attractive aged appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aluminum crossguard is formed as the characteristic Luftwaffe eagle, with the breast and talon area projecting prominently in relief. The eagle faces the viewer’s left and clutches a mobile swas in its talons. Feathering remains well defined, and the reverse retains its fine pebbled panel. Light antiquing survives in the recessed areas of the design. The original leather blade buffer remains seated within the deep recess of the crossguard. It has shrunk slightly with age but remains present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is in excellent condition and retains strong factory final polish grind crossgrain on both sides, a finish known in German as \u003cem\u003ePliesten\u003c\/em\u003e. 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. We can see some very minor oxidation staining, as well as the usual runner wear and light scuffing from cleaning, but no major condition issues. The edge is correctly unsharpened and free of dents or dings, and the needle-like tip of the blade intact and unbent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of the blade is etched with the oval \"cartouche\" marking of \u003cem\u003eArtur Schüttelhöfer \u0026amp; Co.\u003c\/em\u003e, which encompasses the address, brand name, and even the \"Two Hobby Horses in Saltire\" trademark:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA. SCHÜTTELHÖFER \u0026amp; Co.\u003cbr\u003e(Trademark)\u003cbr\u003eASSO\u003cbr\u003eSOLINGEN-WALD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtur Schüttelhöfer \u0026amp; Co. Stahlwarenfabrik\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (Steelware factory) was based in the Wald neighborhood of Solingen, the legendary \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany. This company was founded in 1920, and assembled and finished daggers for political organizations and officers during the Third Reich period, per J. Anthony Carter's definitive work \u003cem\u003eGERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e. They manufactured SA, NSKK, and SS daggers, among other items. The \"rectangular\" trademark logo was only seen on a very few SS daggers, in addition to a few Army Officer's and 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer's daggers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original steel scabbard is in very good condition and remains straight without major dents. It appears to have originally carried a zinc plated finish, most of which has either worn away or oxidized with age. The exposed steel shows localized oxidation and light peppering. The pebbled scabbard panels remain sharply defined, as do the embossed oak leaves and acorns near the lower section. The hanger bands are zinc alloy and retain well defined, hand enhanced oak leaf decoration canted at approximately 45 degrees. Their original brighter finish has aged to a dull gray patina, and the hanger rings show relatively little wear into the bands. The scabbard throat is the narrower pattern and is retained by cheese head screws positioned on the narrow sides of the scabbard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its rare Artur Schüttelhöfer \u0026amp; Co. manufacture, distinctive ASSO maker cartouche, strong surviving factory crossgrain, light amber grip, intact leather blade buffer, aluminum hilt fittings, and original straight steel scabbard, this is a particularly appealing 2nd Model Luftwaffe officer dagger. The slight grip color variation, wire oxidation, minor blade staining and scuffing, aged leather buffer, scabbard plating loss, and localized oxidation and peppering are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Luftwaffe officer edged weapon, Artur Schüttelhöfer maker, Solingen dagger, 2nd Model Luftwaffe, or advanced German WWII collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Length: 10\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall length: 15 1\/4”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrossguard: 3 1\/4”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScabbard Length: 11 3\/4”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45532171632709,"sku":"ONSV26CBZ061","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/8F452D3E-9C83-4C0E-9D03-F3BB23B1F38B.jpg?v=1786565680","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-2nd-model-luftwaffe-officer-dagger-by-rare-maker-artur-schuttelhofer-co-with-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}