Original Item: Only One Available. The National Socialist Flyers Corps (Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps; NSFK) was a paramilitary organization of the NSDAP Party that was founded 15 April 1937 as a successor to the German Air Sports Association; the latter had been active during the years when a German air force was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. The NSFK organization was based closely on the para-military organization of the Sturmabteilung (SA). A similar group was the National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK).

During the early years of its existence, the NSFK conducted military aviation training in gliders and private airplanes. Friedrich Christiansen, originally a Generalleutnant then later a Luftwaffe General der Flieger, was NSFK Korpsführer from 15 April 1937 until 26 June 1943, followed by Generaloberst Alfred Keller until 8 May 1945.

Like all of the NSDAP German paramilitary organizations, they were issued various ceremonial items to instill loyalty, such as this early production NSFK Glider Pilot's Dagger, complete with scabbard and belt hanger.

This example looks to have seen light to moderate service, and has a fantastic lightly worn patina. This is a later style example, which is fit almost entirely with aluminum, either painted or with a matte / brushed finish. The The pommel cap is the three stage variety, still crisp throughout the edges with some dents and scratches from use.

The crossguard has a very crisp center block featuring engraved circles with a swas (hook cross) on either side. The crossguard shows only light wear, with a bit of denting on the ends. The crossguard arms are the tripartite type, with a downward sweep. The original leather blade buffer is present, though the finish is worn. The grip itself is made from solid aluminum with a simulated "Moroccan Leather" texture on it, and has been finished in blue. It has the same slightly bulbous in the center and tapering toward either end as the leather wrapped wooden handles.

The blade is in very good condition, looking to have seen some service but was well cared for. The blade surface is still mostly bright, and the factory final polish grind cross grain is visible in the light throughout the blade. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The blade still has the factory beveled edge, and does not show any signs of post-manufacture sharpening, though the very tip has a slight bend to it. There are areas of past staining on the blade, which was cleaned away.

The reverse ricasso of this lovely dagger is maker marked with an etched oval trademark logo, which is a bit worn, but still can be read:

F. & A. HELBIG
* Gaesler *
STEINBACH (Kr. M.)

F. & A. Helbig, Messerfabrik (knife factory) in Steinbach Kreis Meiningen, was organized by Frieda & Alfred Helbig, succeeding F. & W. Helbig shortly after 1928. They prospered manufacturing daggers during the Third Reich era. They made daggers for the DLV, and made some crackle-finished Aluminum NSFK Glider Pilot's Knives. They also made many swords and daggers for the Luftwaffe, They used several trademark logos, and the lightly etched version without borders was the one usually seen on the Luftwaffe Swords. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout and the main body, like the handle, is made from aluminum with a simulated leather texture on the surface, which was then painted blue. It still retains most of the paint, and are no dents or major damage that we can see. Like the hilt, the scabbard body is fitted with bright aluminum with a somewhat matte finish, retained by 4 flush mount screws, one of which is missing on the chape. They show light wear, with no major damage. The throat is stamped with the correct NSFK Icarus insignia, with a swas at his legs.

This is a lovely example of an NSFK Dagger, made by a highly desirable Solingen maker, and complete with scabbard! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 6 7/8"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 12“
Crossguard: 3 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 8 1/8"