Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. 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 color change is very common due to exposure to light and air, which also can make the material brittle, which is why this example has cracks on both sides. It has a nice slightly tapered shape, and is tightly wrapped with twisted wire.

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 the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, and not plated, with some 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, 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, and shows significant wear. The bullion wrapping around the rope is missing for about 2 inches, having frayed apart.

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades. It is mostly bright throughout, showing most of the original factory final polish 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.

There are no maker marks that we can see, but that is not uncommon for Luftwaffe and Army officer daggers. Outfitters often purchased unmarked blades from major makers, and would do the fitting themselves. The unique cross grain is definitive for WWII German production.

This steel scabbard is in very good condition, dent free and with almost all the original plating intact. The hanger bands are non magnetic, 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 use. The throat is the narrower version seen, secured by a flush mount screws on the narrow sides.

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