Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a rare 1st Model RLB Leader's Dagger, complete with the correct scabbard and belt hanger. This early pattern example is in excellent condition throughout, and differs from the more common 2nd pattern mainly due to the emblem on the grip, which is an RLB over a Swas (hook cross) on a starburst. The 2nd pattern has a much simpler starburst bearing only a large Swas, and this is the first time that we have had one of the rare 1st pattern examples of the Leader (Officer) dagger.

The hilt mounts are the nickel-plated zinc alloy type, and they have a lovely lightly oxidized patina throughout. The pommel is in the characteristic RLB Officer's flattened shape with an equatorial band and has only light wear to the tip. The crossguard features a stubby-winged Art Deco-style eagle clutching a smooth wreath and swas. Unlike the EM/NCO dagger, the crossguard on the officer's dagger is longer and ends with slightly angled cuts, giving a much more "boxy" look.

The grip is a fine example, which retains a lovely black "Moroccan Leather" covering. There is only light wear and light finish loss, with the side seam still fully glued down. The insignia is the early style with a blue enamel RLB logo with a small enamel swas (hook cross) underneath, both superimposed over over a background sunburst. It has lost a good amount of the original plating, now showing the copper base metal beneath. There is also a bit of light chipping on the enamel, particularly on the "L".

The blade of this dagger is in excellent condition, retaining the original factory crossgrain throughout the blade surface. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is a bit of runner wear and scuffing, as well as some very faint staining, but this is definitely one of the best examples we have sever seen. The tip of the blade remains needle-like, with no sign of denting or wear, and the maker logo on the back is completely legible.

This great example was made by Paul Weyersberg of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. The reverse ricasso is etched with PAUL WEYERSBERG & Co. / SOLINGEN in double ovals around the firms trademark "Sword-and-Wreath" logo, which was the only marking they used during the Third Reich era. This company was one of many in Solingen owned by members of the Weyersberg family. The company survived the war, but ceased production in 1955. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter. The original leather blade washer is in place.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout, with no major dents or other damage. It is covered in Moroccan leather having the same color and grain as the grip, and this leather is also in very good condition. There is a bit of scuffing and bruising, however the seam is still securely glued down. The steel based silvered mounts show wear to the plating and some light oxidation, which has led to a lovely aged patina. They are retained by flush mount side screws, which show no turning or deformation. Attached to the hanger ring is a lovely nickel fitted leather belt hanger, which is in very good condition.

A fantastic Paul Weyersberg example of the rare RLB Officer's dagger, always hard to find in such nice condition!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 5/8"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 14 1/2“
Crossguard: 4”
Scabbard Length: 10 1/2"

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.