Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII rare 1st Model RLB Subordinate dagger manufactured by C. Gustav Spitzer AG of Solingen. This early pattern example is complete with its correct black enameled scabbard and leather belt hanger with a solid nickel Assmann marked clip.

The 1st Model RLB dagger is distinguished by the early grip insignia, which displays the blue enameled RLB emblem and a smaller mobile swas superimposed over a radiating starburst. The more commonly encountered 2nd Model uses a simplified starburst insignia centered on a larger swas without the separate RLB lettering.

The hilt fittings are the early solid nickel alloy type. Dents and contact marks are present, but there is no bubbling, lifting, or exposed base metal of the type normally associated with plated zinc alloy fittings.

The pommel has the characteristic rounded derby form with a raised equatorial band. The crossguard features a compact, Art Deco influenced eagle clutching a smooth wreath containing a mobile swas. The quillons are decorated with incised lines and terminate at approximately 45 degree angles.

The hilt remains firmly seated on the blade tang with no detectable movement.

The grip is constructed from ebony and retains much of its original dark sheen. It remains in very good overall condition but shows light pressure denting, several deeper dents, and a small gouge.

A substantial chip is present near the crossguard, apparently caused by long-term pressure from the guard combined with the age and brittle nature of the ebony.

The early grip insignia retains approximately 75% of its blue enamel. Areas of enamel have chipped and flaked away, particularly across portions of the letters R and B. Although the insignia is worn, no copper colored base layer is visible through the damaged areas, suggesting that it may also be constructed from solid nickel alloy.

The blade remains in very good service used condition. It appears to have developed surface oxidation and subsequently been cleaned during its working life or later history.

Unfortunately, this cleaning removed nearly all of the original factory polish crossgrain. Only faint traces remain immediately adjacent to the crossguard. The surviving crossgrain is important because it represents the remaining original factory blade finish, while the cleaned portions should not be mistaken for an untouched surface.

The remainder of the blade shows scattered oxidation staining and visible cleaning marks. The edge may have received a light touch-up, but it does not appear to have been heavily sharpened.

This example was produced by rare maker C. Gustav Spitzer AG, Stahwaren-Fabrik (Steelware Factory), and rear of the blade is stamped with the company's name and address marking surrounding their "Prancing Lion" trademark:

C. GUSTAV SPITZER
(Lion Trademark)
SOLINGEN

The lion is very well executed, with his left front paw high in the air, with a wagging tail and a flicking tongue. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1863 by Carl Gustav Spitzer, and later registered in Solingen in 1883. It made pocket, sporting, and hunting knives, and by 1928 was owned by Ernst Spitzer. They manufactured several different types of knives during the war, including specifically early SA daggers bearing their lion trademark. They also manufactured various private purchase "walking out" bayonets, and are a known maker of the RLB daggers.

The steel scabbard remains straight and shows no detectable dents or bends. Its original black enamel finish is approximately 50% retained. The surviving enamel displays age related crazing and checking, while the exposed steel has developed oxidation where the finish is missing.

The solid nickel scabbard mounts remain in good condition and have developed an attractive oxidized patina. Both flush mounted drag retaining screws are present, as is the throat retaining screw on the front of the scabbard body.

The triangular suspension loop retains its leather hanger strap and solid nickel end clip. The upper fitting is formed from bent sheet nickel wrapped around the loop and secured to the leather by four nickel rivets.

The solid nickel spring clip is marked:

Barred A Trademark
D.R.G.M.

The barred A trademark identifies F.W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, a noted manufacturer of German uniform accessories and metal fittings. The D.R.G.M. marking indicates a registered German design.

The leather retains much of its original surface finish. However, the area immediately beside the sheet nickel fitting has become very delicate and should be handled carefully to prevent further separation or loss.

With its rare 1st Model RLB grip insignia, early solid nickel fittings, desirable C. Gustav Spitzer prancing lion trademark, ebony grip, straight black enameled scabbard, and Assmann marked hanger, this is a substantially complete example of an uncommon RLB Subordinate dagger. The grip chip and denting, enamel loss, blade oxidation, cleaning marks, nearly absent crossgrain, possible edge touch-up, scabbard finish loss, exposed steel oxidation, and fragile hanger leather are fully disclosed. It would be a strong addition to an advanced RLB, C. Gustav Spitzer, Solingen edged weapon, German organizational dagger, or WWII dress dagger collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 8 3/4"
Blade Style: Double Edged Spear Point
Overall length: 13 7/8“
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 9 1/4"

The Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) (National Air Raid Protection League) was an organization in NSDAP Germany in charge of air raid precautions in residential areas and among smaller businesses. The RLB was organized by Hermann Göring in 1933 as a voluntary association. Existing volunteer air raid precaution associations were forced to merge with RLB. In 1939 the RLB became a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization), while in 1944 it became an affiliated organization of the NSDAP Party. RLB was dissolved by the Allied Powers after the end of World War II. Its successor in the Federal Republic of Germany was the Bundesverband für den Selbstschutz.

The RLB was in charge of educating and training ordinary German men and women in civil defence procedures necessary for the basic level of local self-help of the civil population against air raids. The local level was formed around air raid wardens and operated in small first intervention squads. The training include fire fighting, protection against chemical weapons, communication procedures and preparation of houses and apartments against air raids.

In 1939 the RLB had about 15 million members, 820 000 volunteer functionaries (of which 280,000 women) and 75,000 local units. The membership was trained at 3,800 civil defense schools with 28,000 instructors.

- RLB was led by a Präsidium, whose president, and vice president and chief of staff, were active duty general officers of the Luftwaffe. The presidium was in itself a department immediately subordinated to the Ministry of Aviation.

- Coterminous with each Luftgaukommando (air district command) was a RLB-Gruppe (RLB-group) under a leader aided by 46 full-time staff members.

- For each Regierungsbezirk, there was a RLB-Bezirksgruppe (regional group).

- The basic organization was the RLB-Revier, one for each police precinct in the cities, or the RLB-Gemeinde-Gruppe, one for each urban or rural municipality for the rest of the country. In the case of a city with several precincts, the citywide organization was called an RLB-Ortsgruppe (local group). Several municipal groups formed an RLB-Ortskreisgruppe, one for each Landkreis. Each Ortsgruppe and Ortskreisgruppe had a leader and a staff of nine members, of which five where full-time salaried employees.

- The basic organizations had a varied number of Untergruppen (sub-groups) divided into Blocke (blocks) under Blockwarte (block wardens) which controlled and liaised with a number of Luftschutzgemeinschafte (air raid protection communities) under Luftschutzwarte (air raid wardens). Each community consisted of an apartment building or several smaller buildings, although a large apartment complex could have several communities. In addition to the warden, the community should have an assistant warden, house fire fighters, helpers and messengers as a first intervention squad. Duty in these squads were compulsory (Notdienstpflicht) for the civilian population.