Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service worn example of a mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made by the well known firm of Lauterjung & Sohn PUMA-Werk. The celluloid grip of this dagger is a nice caramel color, which has faded from the original ivory color as many do. It has a nice slightly tapered shape, and is tightly wrapped with twisted wires. There is a bit of cracking near the pommel, and light wear.

The hilt mounts are in very nice condition with a lovely lightly oxidized patina. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail.  The "mobile" swas (hook cross) 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, without any plating or highlighting.

The crossguard is also made of Aluminum, which was an "Air Age" material, 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 ferrule looks to be plated steel, and it is still in good condition, with light oxidation.

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades. The reverse ricasso bears a worn puma's head in a diamond above PUMA over SOLINGEN, the trademark logo of Lauterjung & Sohn, Puma-Stahlwarenfabrik / Puma - Werk of Solingen, Germany, the legendary "City of Blades". This is a known producer of SS, SA, and NSKK daggers during the Pre-WWII period and after.

This company was originally founded on a small scale in 1796, Nathanael Lauterjung officially opened a cutlery and knife making workshop in Solingen during 1855. After his death, the name was changed and registered as "Puma-Werk", to avoid confusion with the other Lauterjung-owned workshops in Solingen. For more information, please see J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. 

The blade is unfortunately in quite worn condition. These dress daggers were not intended to be used as functional weapons, instead being a sidearm used for formal occasions. They were not issued sharpened, and with their relatively narrow tangs, are not designed for use. Still, some were used, sometimes by their original owners, and other times after capture by Allied forces. The blade on this was captured and reprofiled on both sides, so none of the original finish remains.

This steel scabbard is in good condition with no major dents, however the original plating has worn mostly away, and now there is a lot of light oxidation. The hanger bands are zinc alloy, and are well defined and have hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. The throat is retained by dome-headed screws on the narrow sides of the scabbard. The screws do not appear to have been messed with at all.

Overall this is a nice service worn 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger, made by a well-known maker and offered in  good condition, ready to display!

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