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Transitional 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger – Anton Wingen Jr.

Condition: Excellent

Maker: Anton Wingen Jr.

Pattern: 1st

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Product Description: This transitional 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger is an outstanding example of this scarce and desirable dagger type. The blade is gorgeous, rating near mint, with beautiful original luster. The blade is neatly marked on the obverse ricasso with the “A. W. Jr.” mark indicating manufacture by the Solingen firm of Anton Winger, Jr. The original blue pebbled leather buffer pad remains intact. The handle on this lovely Air Force dagger is a stunner, with extremely attractive, pastel rainbow toning to the silver plated fittings. All four of the “sunwheel” type swastikas on the pommel and crossguard retain all of the gold gilding. The grip leather is near mint, with nearly flawless original surface, and bold color. The triple aluminum wire grip wrap is tight. This Transitional 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger is complete with its original scabbard. The scalloped scabbard fittings show lovely toning, and the blue pebbled leather on the scabbard body is nearly perfect, with only minimal wear. The fittings are tightly secured with all five original screws! The aluminum chain has 8 lower and 5 upper ringlets, and terminates in a functional spring clip. The fit on this well-preserved dagger remains nice and tight throughout. This dagger would be extremely hard to upgrade. The condition rates as excellent plus.

 

 

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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