Item:
ONSV21WOS103

Original WWII German 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger by WKC with Scabbard, Belt Hanger & Portepee

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great 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 caramel color, having faded slightly from the original ivory white, and remains in good condition throughout. 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, without any cracking we can see.

The hilt mounts are in similar condition with a lovely 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 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. Tied around this is an original portepee, which is in good condition, with some wear and fraying as shown.

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades. 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 WKC / 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 WKC was formed as it exists today.

The very good condition blade is mostly bright throughout, showing most of the original cross grain. The tip is still intact, with no bending, just some light wear. Overall finish does show some staining in a few places, though the edge is still nice, with no major chips or dents. There also is the usual runner wear on the blade surface, however this is present on just about every dagger out there. Definitely a great blade.

This steel scabbard is in very good condition, dent free and with some of the original zinc plating intact. The hanger bands look to be aluminum, and are well defined and have hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. They do however show wear, and the harder steel rings themselves have worn into the fittings, indicating significant use. The throat is the narrower version seen, secured by a single "cheese head" screw on one of the narrow sides.

Attached to the scabbard is a very good condition belt hanger, with functional zinc pebbled spring clips for the scabbard, and a functional aluminum clip for the belt. There are no markings we can see on any of the hardware. The aluminum buckles and keepers are embossed with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger. The straps still have almost complete velvet backing, and the fittings are all in good shape. There is some light oxidation, as the original silver wash wore away long ago.

This really is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with portepee and hanger, 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”

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