Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer Dagger manufactured by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen and complete with its steel scabbard, bullion faced belt hanger, and an accompanying portepee. The dagger retains an attractive caramel toned celluloid grip, aluminum hilt fittings, strong blade crossgrain, and the Eickhorn seated squirrel trademark used from 1935 to 1941.

The celluloid grip has aged from its original lighter color to a warm caramel tone and retains its slightly tapered form. It is wrapped with twisted wire incorporating bullion covering. The grip shows staining and age related cracking, with a section of material missing near the pommel. The wire remains in place but shows wear and localized damage to the bullion wrapping.

The pommel is aluminum and retains good definition to the oak leaf decoration and mobile swas on both sides. The recessed areas have developed a darker patina that highlights the hand enhanced detail. There is moderate edge and corner wear, particularly around the swas arms.

The aluminum eagle shaped crossguard is also well preserved. The obverse features the characteristic deeply vaulted Luftwaffe eagle with detailed feathering and a mobile swas held in its talons. The reverse retains its fine pebbled field. The ferrule appears to be plated steel and remains in very good condition.

An original portepee is tied around the ferrule. It remains complete but shows age related wear and fraying. Its length and configuration appear more consistent with a Heer Army dagger portepee than the type normally encountered on a Luftwaffe dagger, so it should be regarded as an accompanying period piece rather than necessarily original to this dagger.

The blade is in very good condition and retains extensive original factory crossgrain, known in German as Pliesten, across both sides. This fine longitudinal finish is an important surviving factory characteristic on German edged weapons and indicates that the blade has not been heavily polished or resurfaced. There is normal scabbard runner wear along the flats, scattered light staining, and some circular or swirl marks from past cleaning.

The blade remains full length with an intact needle point that is neither bent nor broken. The cutting edge has not been sharpened and shows only minor localized roughness. The original leather blade buffer remains present within the recesses of the guard.

The blade is not nickel plated, a feature encountered on later production examples. The ricasso bears the Carl Eickhorn seated squirrel trademark:

ORIGINAL
{Seated Squirrel with Sword)
Eickhorn
SOLINGEN

This trademark is consistent with 1935-41 maufacture by Carl Eickhorn, a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" (Klingenstadt) in Western Germany. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this marking type was specifically used on Luftwaffe and NPEA daggers, as well as the "Feldmarschall" series of swords. The company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are arguably the most desirable of all makers.

The steel scabbard remains in very good condition overall and appears to have originally carried a zinc finish, most of which has worn away to a dull gray patina. The body is generally straight, though there is a dent and slight bend on the reverse approximately 2" above the tip. This does not prevent the dagger from entering the scabbard.

The aluminum suspension bands retain well defined oak leaf decoration with hand enhanced details. Both show wear from use, and the harder steel suspension rings have visibly worn into the softer aluminum fittings over time. The throat is the narrower pattern and is secured by two flush mounted screws on the narrow sides.

Attached to the scabbard is a complete belt hanger in very good condition. The pebbled spring clips remain functional and show an even aged patina. The buckles and keepers carry the matching oak leaf and acorn decorative motif. Most of the hanger hardware appears to be zinc alloy, while the slider keeper loops appear to be aluminum.

The hanger straps retain their bullion facing well, while the velvet plush backing shows only light service wear without significant fraying.

With its Carl Eickhorn 1935-1941 seated squirrel trademark, extensive surviving Pliesten blade finish, caramel toned celluloid grip, aluminum hilt, original scabbard, complete belt hanger, and accompanying portepee, this is a strong 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer Dagger set. The grip cracking and loss, worn wire wrapping, hilt wear, blade staining and cleaning marks, reverse scabbard dent, worn suspension fittings, and portepee fraying are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Luftwaffe edged weapon, Carl Eickhorn, Solingen maker, German officer dagger, or advanced WWII edged weapon collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Overall length: 15 1/8”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 5/8”