Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great example of a mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made by the legendary Solingen-based firm of Carl Eickhorn. The celluloid grip of this dagger is a lovely dark pumpkin orange, having faded from the original ivory white, and remains in good condition throughout. This is very common due to exposure to light and air, and the area under the portepee is quite a bit lighter in color. It has a nice slightly tapered shape, and is tightly wrapped with twisted wires. There is some cracking on either end near where the wrapping goes under the fittings, as the celluloid becomes brittle over time

The hilt mounts are in similar condition with a lovely patina of age. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail. The "mobile" swass on both sides are clear and the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, and not plated, so it would not have the blackening seen on plated examples. It does have a bit of wear around the edges, and has some dried dirt and grease on it, giving it a somewhat golden color.

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 in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling, which is still clear. The ferrule looks to be zinc, and it is still in very good condition. Tied around this is an original portepee, which is unfortunately quite worn, showing a lot of the interior fibers where the bullion is completely missing. 

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades. The ricasso is etched with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers. The original leather blade buffer is in place within the deep recesses of the guard.

The very good condition blade is mostly bright throughout, showing almost all of the original cross grain. The tip is still intact, with no bending, just some light wear. Overall finish does show some speckled staining in a few places, though the edge is still nice, with no major chips or sharpening. There is the usual runner wear on the blade surface, however this is present on just about every dagger out there.

This steel scabbard is in very good condition, dent free and with some of the original zinc plating intact. The hanger bands are zinc alloy, and are well defined and have hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. They do however show wear, and the harder steel rings themselves have worn into the fittings, indicating significant use. The throat is the narrower version seen, secured by two flush head screws on the narrow sides, though one screw is missing.

Attached to the scabbard is a good condition belt hanger, with functional pebbled spring clips with a great patina. The buckles and keepers are engraved with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger. This is a hanger that was used quite extensively, with wear on both sides of the straps.

This really is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with portepee, made by a legendary maker and offered in very good condition, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15 1/2”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”