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 legendary Solingen-based firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie. The celluloid grip of this dagger is a lovely light caramel color, having faded slightly from the original ivory white, showing less fading on the reverse. This is very common due to exposure to light and air, which also can make the material brittle. It has a nice slightly tapered shape, and is tightly wrapped with wrapped twisted wire. It is in very good condition throughout, with just a bit of staining and wear, though there is a bit of cracking and a chunk missing near the pommel.

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 still retain some of the original factory bright plating. The oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, and not plated, with great darkening in the recesses. It does have a bit of wear around the edges. 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 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. It is retained about 60%, with the central area on both sides of the blade showing past staining and oxidation that was polished out, which removed the crossgrain. The tip is still intact, with no bending, just some light wear. The edge has correctly not been sharpened, though it does have a few tiny dents and chips.

This example was made by W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. The reverse ricasso is etched with the trademark "Knights-Head" (Ritter-helm) logo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen, over the firms initials of W K C / SOLINGEN. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.

The steel scabbard is in very good condition, dent free and with most of the original darkened plating intact. It does have a bend to the lower 3-4 inches, which does not interfere with sheathing the blade. The hanger bands look to be zinc, and are well defined and have 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 by flush screws on the narrow sides of the scabbard.

This really is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with its original scabbard, made by a legendary 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”