2nd Model Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger – Eickhorn

Product Description: A finely executed example of the 2nd Model Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger – Eickhorn, crafted in miniature scale with exceptional attention to detail. Likely intended as a presentation piece or salesman’s sample, this miniature retains the refined proportions and construction quality of its full-sized counterpart.

The nickel-plated blade remains bright and clean, with only minor scattered marks consistent with careful handling and age. It is crisply etched with the commercial logo of Eickhorn, Solingen, one of the most respected names in German blade production prior to 1945.

The hilt features a well-preserved white fading to orange grip, free of chips or cracks, with intact wire wrapping. The pommel and crossguard display finely detailed swastika emblems, with all metal surfaces showing a rich, untouched patina. The dagger is complete with its original scabbard, which matches the hilt in tone and condition. The scabbard fittings are tight and undisturbed, with only minimal signs of wear.

A scarce and highly desirable collector’s item, this 2nd Model Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger – Eickhorn exemplifies the superior craftsmanship of Solingen’s blade makers and remains a remarkable example of miniature edged weaponry in excellent overall condition.

Historical Description: The Luftwaffe dagger was a piece of regalia with a unique history. After WWI, Germany was prohibited from having an Air Force. In 1933, the Nazis formed the Deutscher Luftsport-Verband (DLV), which was a paramilitary aviation organization. DLV officers wore a long dagger. In 1935, in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler instituted the new German armed forces, the Wehrmacht. One of the branches of the Wehrmacht was the Luftwaffe. Luftwaffe officers at this time wore what we know as the first model Luftwaffe dagger. This was a shortened version of the earlier DLV dagger. It featured a scabbard covered in blue leather, and a blue, wire-wrapped grip. The crossguard featured a round, “sunwheel” type swastika, flanked by down swept, stylized “wings.” The pommel was in the form of a vertical disc, with another, larger “sunwheel” swastika. In 1937, the Luftwaffe instituted a new dagger form, known to collectors as the second model. This new dagger was similar to that worn by officers of the German Army. The second model had a metal scabbard with impressed decoration, and no leather covering. The crossguard bore a Luftwaffe eagle, clutching a swastika. The blue grip was replaced with one that was orange, white or yellow. The various types of grips were a matter of personal preference and did not indicate branch or rank. The pommel of the new dagger featured a swastika within an oak leaves motif. The blades of these daggers were steel, and many but not all were manufacturer marked.