Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service worn example of a mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made by the well known firm of Lauterjung & Sohn PUMA-Werk. The celluloid grip of this dagger is a nice pumpkin orange color, which has faded from the original ivory color as many do. It has a nice slightly tapered shape, and is tightly wrapped with twisted wires. There there is very little wear, and no cracking we can see.

The hilt mounts are in similar condition with a lovely lightly oxidized patina of age. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail. The "mobile" swas's on both sides are clear and the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, with just a bit of light antiquing, and it just has a bit of wear around the edges, as is often seen.

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. The guard shows little wear and has great feathering on the eagle. The bird, of course, flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling, which is still clear.

Wrapped around the grip just above the guard is a very nice original bullion portepee, which has had the woven aluminum covering wear away closer to the "knot" on the end. This definitely looks to be original to the dagger, and has definitely been wrapped like this for a long time. Under the portepee is the plated zinc grip ferrule, which shows just a it of oxidation. The hilt is still tight on the blade, with the original leather blade buffer still present in the recess on the cross guard.

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades. The reverse ricasso bears a worn puma's head in a diamond above PUMA over SOLINGEN, the trademark logo of Lauterjung & Sohn, Puma-Stahlwarenfabrik / Puma - Werk of Solingen, Germany, the legendary "City of Blades". This is a known producer of SS, SA, and NSKK daggers during the Pre-WWII period and after.

This company was originally founded on a small scale in 1796, Nathanael Lauterjung officially opened a cutlery and knife making workshop in Solingen during 1855. After his death, the name was changed and registered as "Puma-Werk", to avoid confusion with the other Lauterjung-owned workshops in Solingen. For more information, please see J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The excellent condition blade is bright throughout, showing much of the original cross grain on both sides. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The needle-like tip tip is still intact with no bending. There are some small spots light oxidation, but otherwise it is close to perfect. There is some light runner wear, and the edge has correctly not been sharpened. Definitely a great example here!

This scabbard is a fine, straight example, having almost all of the plated finish retained, with only light oxidation and wear. The steel shell shows no denting, and the pebbled panels and oak leaves and acorns near the bottom are still crisp. The bands are zinc alloy, and are well defined and have outstanding hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle, with some wear. There is very little wear around the hanger rings, and the throat is the narrow style, retained by a single flush mount screw on the rear.

Attached to the scabbard is a very good condition belt hanger, with all spring clips fully functional. The scabbard end clips are the more complex and desirable sliding type. The buckles and keepers are embossed with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger. The hardware is marked D.R.G.M., indicating that these were registered in the German trademark office. The end clip is also marked on the back with RZM and maker code U.E. 10.. "U.E" indicates Uniformeffekten Erlaubnißschein, (Uniform Accessories Licence), and the manufacturer’s numerical code, "10". It appears the combined RZM/U.E., markings were utilized circa May 1933 to March 1935. These were used when the RZM was still being officially organized. There is unfortunately no listing of the early RZM makers. The straps still have great bullion on the front, however the blue felt on the back does show some mothing in areas. There is some light oxidation on the fittings, as the original silver wash wore away long ago.

Overall this is great example of a 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger, made by a well-known maker and offered in good condition, complete scabbard, belt hanger, and portepee. This is the full setup, ready to display!

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