Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. It is a fine Solingen-produced example made by the well-known firm of F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), a highly desirable maker of edged weapons. The celluloid grip of this dagger has faded to a nice amber color, and remains in very good condition throughout. This is very common due to exposure to light and air, which also can make the material brittle. It has the typical Höller tapered shape, which is wider than those used by other makers, and is tightly wrapped in aluminum bullion wrapped twisted wire, which is still bright. It shows a bit of scratching and staining, but nothing major.

The hilt mounts are in very good condition with a lovely lightly worn patina of age. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail. The "mobile" swas (hook crosses) on both sides are clear and show only light wear on the edges, and they even still retain a lot of the original gold paint, especially on the obverse. The oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, and not plated, with a bit of darkening in the recesses. The hilt fittings are still tight to the tang, with no wobble.

The crossguard is also 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 great feathering on the eagle. The bird, of course, flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas (hook cross) in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling, which is still clear. The leather blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the cross guard. The ferrule looks to be nickel plated steel, and it is still in very good condition.

The blade is in good condition, though it definitely does show a good amount of wear from past oxidation being cleaned away. There is still some of the original factory final polish grind cross grain, but only very close to the guard. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The cleaning has unfortunately removed it from most of the blade, and now there is a bit of a mottled look from cleaning away oxidation staining. The blade has correctly not been sharpened, however the end of the blade is bent sideways about 5/8" from the very tip.

The ricasso is maker marked with a "losenge" style trademark logo that reads F. W. HÖLLER / SOLINGEN, surrounding the trademark Höller "Thermometer" emblem. This is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons. F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), located in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. During the WWII Period they manufactured many SA and NSKK daggers, both with their "thermometer" trademark and later with the RZM code M7/33. They also produced numerous 98K bayonets and other edged weapons. The firm was founded in 1866, and registered in Solingen in 1883. By 1900 ownership had passed to Emil Höller, and it continued manufacture after WWII, finally closing in 1974. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS.

The steel scabbard is in very good condition, and looks to be made from zinc plated steel. It is straight with no dents or other major damage we can see, and is really a nice example of this type. The hanger bands look to be made from zinc alloy, and are well defined with hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle, showing an oxidized zinc patina. The throat is the wider version seen, retained a single flush screw on the rear of the scabbard. There is overall wear to the plating, but no major oxidation where it has worn away.

Attached to the scabbard is a very nice belt hanger, with all spring clips fully functional. The scabbard end clips are the more complex and desirable sliding type. The buckles and keepers are embossed with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger, and are made from zinc alloy. The hardware is marked D.R.G.M., indicating that these were registered in the German trademark office. The end clip is also marked on the back with RZM and maker code U.E. 10.. "U.E" indicates Uniformeffekten Erlaubnißschein, (Uniform Accessories Licence), and the manufacturer’s numerical code, "10". It appears the combined RZM/U.E., markings were utilized circa May 1933 to March 1935. These were used when the RZM was still being officially organized. There is unfortunately no listing of the early RZM makers.

The condition is very good, showing light wear to the straps, though they do appear to possibly have been shortened, and then refit into the aluminum fittings that attach to the spring clip. The hardware has had all of the original plating either oxidize or wear away.

This really is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with its original scabbard and belt hanger, made by a well-known maker and offered in very good condition. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 3/4"
Overall length: 15”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”