Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. It is a fine Solingen-produced example made by the well-known firm of F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), a highly desirable maker of edged weapons. Unlike most of the grips we see on German WWII daggers, this example is still the original ivory white color, and has not faded to orange or some other color. This is extremely rare to see on celluloid grips from this period. This grip is in almost perfect condition throughout, with just a bit of staining and wear. It has the typical Höller tapered shape, which is wider than those used by other makers, and is tightly wrapped in aluminum bullion wrapped twisted wire.

The hilt mounts are in very good condition with a lovely lightly worn patina of age. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail. The "mobile" swas (hook crosses) on both sides are clear and show only light wear on the edges. The oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, and not plated, with a bit of darkening in the recesses. It does have a bit of wear around the edges, and a bit of oxidation near the grip. The hilt fittings are still tight on the blade tang.

The crossguard is also made of Aluminum, which was an "Air Age" material, which was used to make most airplanes. It was considered fitting and desirable for the eagle-shaped guard to be made of this material. The front side is an eagle with a breast and talon area that is vaulted out much more so than the crossguards seen on other types of daggers. This guard shows little wear and has great feathering on the eagle. The bird, of course, flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas (hook cross) in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling, which is still clear. The leather blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the cross guard. The ferrule looks to be plated steel, and it is still in very good condition.

The very good condition blade is mostly bright throughout, showing much of the original factory final grind cross grain. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is some runner wear on the central blade flat, as well as scattered light staining, showing just a few polished out water stains. The tip has a bit of a wave to the last 1/2 inch or so, but nothing major. The edge has correctly not been sharpened, though it does have a few tiny dents and chips.

The ricasso is maker marked with a "losenge" style trademark logo that reads F. W. HÖLLER / SOLINGEN, surrounding the trademark Höller "Thermometer" emblem. This is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons. F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), located in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. During the WWII Period they manufactured many SA and NSKK daggers, both with their "thermometer" trademark and later with the RZM code M7/33. They also produced numerous 98K bayonets and other edged weapons. The firm was founded in 1866, and registered in Solingen in 1883. By 1900 ownership had passed to Emil Höller, and it continued manufacture after WWII, finally closing in 1974. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS.

The steel scabbard is in very good condition, and looks to be made from zinc plated steel. It does have a crush bend about 2 inches from the bottom, but this does not interfere with sheathing the blade. The hanger bands look to be aluminum, and are well defined with hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. They still retain much of the original darkened finish, with wear on the raised areas. The throat is the wider version seen, retained a single flush screw on the rear of the scabbard.

This really is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with its original scabbard, made by a well-known maker and offered in very good condition, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15 1/2”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”