Second Model Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger – Alcoso

Product Description: This Second Model Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger has outstanding eye appeal. It’s maker marked on the blade with the “scales” logo of the firm of Alcoso in Solingen. These Alcoso marked miniatures were the most detailed of all of these small size daggers. The blade on this one is bright and clean, with only small, scattered marks. The gorgeous handle is extremely well made. The Luftwaffe flying eagle and swastika crossguard has all of the eye appeal of its full-sized counterparts. The crossguard and pommel both show only slight wear, with nice original darkening in the recesses. The grip is a gorgeous pumpkin orange shade, and is free of chips and cracks. The correct grip wire is tight.  This beautiful Luftwaffe Miniature Dagger is complete with its original scabbard, which is nice and straight, with no dents. The scabbard boasts lovely finish, crisp pebbling, and exquisite detail to the oak leaf ornamentation. The suspension rings are both intact. This piece is completely without damage, and would be tough to upgrade. The condition rates as excellent.

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.

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