Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a early production production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger, with a Nickel-plated blade. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made by Solinger Metalwaren-Fabrik Stöcker & Co., and comes complete with a belt hanger in excellent condition. The celluloid grip of this 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger is a lovely pumpkin orange color, due to the fading of the celluloid covering. It remains in nearly perfect condition throughout, with just a small crack hear the ferrule, and is tightly wrapped with silver wire.
The hilt mounts are similarly great on this dagger. The crossguard is made of Aluminum, which was an "Air Age" material, which was used to make most airplanes. It was considered fitting and desirable for the eagle-shaped guard to be made of this material. The front side is an eagle with a breast and talon area that is vaulted out much more so than the crossguards seen on other types of daggers. This guard shows little wear and has excellent feathering on the eagle. The bird, of course, flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling and still has a good portion of the original factory blackening. The ferrule looks to be solid nickel silver, and is still excellent.
The aluminum pommel is crisp quite nice. The swass on both sides are extremely bold, and the oak leaves around it is raised out and heavily hand enhanced. As it is unplated, there is no darkening in the background.
This scabbard is a fine, mostly straight example, having a good aged nickel plating, with a lovely patina. There are a few "door close" dents on the bottom half of the scabbard. The aluminum bands are well defined and have outstanding hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. The throat is retained by flush screws on either side.
The blade of this piece is a high quality early nickel-plated example, and is in excellent condition, with just a bit of runner wear from being removed from the scabbard. This example was produced by Solinger Metalwaren-Fabrik Stöcker & Co. GmbH, also known as SMF, who were one of the major producers of this knife during WWII. Their "Seated King" over SMF / SOLINGEN trademark is seen on the reverse base of the blade. This is a well-known maker from the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Underneath the logo is a Weimar Eagle over 5, the standard Luftwaffe proof marking. Also, the original pebbled leather blade buffer is in place within the deep recesses of the guard.
Comes complete with genuine original hangers that are in very good condition with no major tears, and great velvet backing. The Buckles are aluminum, the usual material for a Luftwaffe dagger hanger, and the clips are of zinc alloy. The clips all function correctly, and are in very good condition.
This really is a really great Early 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger, offered in nice condition, ready to display!
