2nd Model Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger – Hörster

Product Description:  A finely crafted example of the 2nd Model Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger – Hörster, executed in miniature scale with meticulous attention to detail, likely intended as a presentation piece or salesman’s sample. The bright, nickel-plated blade remains in excellent condition, exhibiting only minor scattered marks consistent with age. One side is crisply etched with the commercial logo of E. & F. Hörster, Solingen, a firm renowned for its precision blade manufacturing.

The hilt features a well-preserved white grip, free from chips or cracks. The pommel and cross guard bear sharply defined swastika emblems, with all metal fittings displaying a pleasing, untouched patina. The dagger is paired with its original scabbard, which mirrors the hilt’s aged toning and shows only minimal signs of wear. The scabbard fittings remain tight and undisturbed, further underscoring the quality and care in its preservation.

An increasingly scarce and desirable collector’s item, this 2nd Model Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger – Hörster exemplifies the fine workmanship associated with pre-1945 Solingen bladesmiths, and stands as a superb example of period miniature edged weapons 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 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.