Early 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger

Product Description: This Early 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger is an outstanding, top quality example, with tremendous eye appeal. The blade on this one is nicely nickel plated, with great original luster, as well as slight, normal runner marks and a few light nicks on the blade edge. The reverse of the blade is well-marked, with the seated knight “SMF” logo indicating manufacture by the firm of Stocker & Co. It is also stamped with a “Luftamt 5” Luftwaffe inspection stamp. The handle on this one is gorgeous and features lovely early nickel silver fittings, with deep and very appealing age patina. The leather grip wrap is excellent, showing only minor wear, and retaining nearly all of the original surface. The grip wire is nice and tight, with no issues. This early 1st model Luftwaffe dagger is complete with its original scabbard, with perfectly matched nickel silver fittings. The leather scabbard wrap is completely intact and shows only very minor wear and handling marks. The scabbard retains its original nickel chain, with a perfect aluminum clip that is maker marked and also stamped “Ges. Gesch.” This dagger has a wonderful overall look and remains in excellent condition overall.

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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