2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger by Höller

Product Description: This is a nice, uncleaned, unmessed with, all-original example of the iconic 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger. This one has a near mint blade, with a full original tip, and all of the original plated finish, with only very minor scattered freckling. On the reverse, the blade ricasso is neatly etched with the commercial style maker logo of the firm of F. W. Höller, in Solingen. The handle is complete and attractive, with great detail and only light freckling to the original finish on the crossguard and pommel. The ferrule on the grip is clean, and shows original luster. The late war white grip is totally intact, with no chips or cracks, and only minor traces of handling and age. The grip wire is all there, and is nice and tight. This 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger is complete with its original scabbard, which has toned dark with age. The scabbard bands are intact, and show good detail. The original suspension rings are present, but are slightly out of round. Overall, this dagger has great character and remains in excellent 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 downswept, 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.

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