Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original German WWII early 1st Model Luftwaffe dagger by WMW Waffen, Max Weyersberg of Solingen, complete with its leather covered scabbard, suspension chain, and functional belt clip. The dagger is of the earlier pre-aluminum fitting type and retains a substantial amount of its original silvered and blue oxidized finish, together with a very well preserved nickel plated blade.

The slightly vaulted pommel retains the early broken sun cross medallions on both sides. The raised portions appear to have originally been highlighted with a bright silver wash, much of which remains, with localized chipping around the edges. The pommel rim shows light use wear, minor denting, some pinprick oxidation, and small areas of plating disturbance or bubbling, but no major damage.

The grip consists of a carved wood core covered in blue Moroccan leather. The leather shows light to moderate service wear, with finish loss along the raised portions, but remains sound overall. The original grip wire, formed from two twisted pairs, is fully intact and shows only age related oxidation.

The down swept wing style crossguard retains good definition and features additional sunwheel hook cross devices. These do not appear to be separately inlaid and retain remnants of the same silvered highlighting seen on the pommel, though with somewhat greater finish loss.

The nickel plated blade is in excellent condition. The plating remains fully retained with no significant oxidation or major damage. The cutting edge is intact and free of notable dents or nicks, while the tip remains complete and straight. There is light runner wear and some fine swirl marks from handling or wiping, but the blade otherwise remains very well preserved. The large blue Moroccan leather blade washer remains intact and seated beneath the crossguard.

The reverse ricasso is stamped WMW Waffen trademark logo, which is crisp and easily legible:

Max Weyersberg, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), was founded by a member of the larger Weyersberg family of blade makers. The company was located at Katternbergerstrasse 176 in Solingen Germany, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, this company was founded in 1920, and registered with authorities in 1933 as a maker of cutlery, hunting/sporting knives, and edged weapons. WMW WAFFEN was their main trade name, and was originally pierced with a sword. However later in the period the WMW / WAFFEN marking with the enlarged "M" was used, which is the type on this blade.

The magnetic steel scabbard shell is straight throughout and shows no dents. It is covered in blue Moroccan leather that closely matches the grip. The covering remains in very good condition overall, showing service dents, bruising, and handling wear.

The rear seam remains visible and somewhat uneven but is not lifting. Near the upper portion of the seam is evidence of an older split that was reinforced by placing matching leather beneath the damaged area and securing it with adhesive. The appearance is consistent with an old repair, though its exact date cannot be established.

The scabbard fittings are nickel construction and remain in very good condition, with an attractive lightly oxidized patina. Most of the original silvered surface finish appears to have worn away with age and use. The throat, drag, and suspension ramp are secured by the correct flush mounted screws, which show no obvious signs of turning.

The attached nickel alloy suspension chain consists of nine ringlets on the upper section and fourteen on the lower section, not including the rings attached directly to the scabbard fittings. This is somewhat longer than commonly encountered, but is consistent with other surviving examples attributed to this maker. Both chain sections terminate at a nickel alloy snap type belt clip, which remains functional.

Overall condition is excellent for an early service used 1st Model Luftwaffe dagger. The hilt retains substantial silvered and blue oxidized finish, the Moroccan leather grip and scabbard covering remain sound, the original grip wire is intact, and the nickel plated blade is exceptionally well preserved. The minor pommel denting, localized plating disturbance, grip wear, scabbard bruising, old seam repair, and finish loss on the scabbard fittings are all fully disclosed.

With its early pre-aluminum construction, WMW Waffen trademark, blue Moroccan leather grip and scabbard, intact twisted wire wrap, nickel plated blade, complete suspension chain, and functional belt clip, this is a particularly strong example of an original 1st Model Luftwaffe dagger by Max Weyersberg. It would display especially well in a Luftwaffe edged weapon, early Solingen maker, WMW Waffen, chained dagger, or advanced German WWII dagger collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 12 1/8"
Overall length: 177/8”
Crossguard: 4 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 13 1/2”