Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger, complete with its original scabbard and portepee. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made by the rare firm of Rudolf Büchel Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware Factory). This is only the second example of a Luftwaffe Dagger that we have had by this rare maker.

The celluloid grip of this dagger is still very close original ivory white color, having only faded a bit to an "antiqued white" color. Almost all of these fade to various shades of orange due to how the celluloid reacts to light. It has a nice slightly tapered shape, and is tightly wrapped with bullion bound twisted wire, which has a lovely lightly oxidized patina.

The hilt mounts are similarly great on this dagger. The pommel is crisp and excellent, with only minor wear to the pebbling and edges. The "mobile" swass on both sides are clear, with the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum without any plating or antiquing, giving it a bright look. It is slightly rotated on the tang due to shrinking of the grip over the years.l

The crossguard is also made of bright 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 plated steel, and has a lovely lightly oxidized patina. Tied around this is an original portepee, which is in good condition, and tied in the Luftwaffe style. There is definitely some light fraying and loss of bullion in areas, but it still presents very well.

The rear of the blade is etched with the trademark logo of Rudolf Büchel, Stahlwarenfabrik, which is somewhat worn due to cleaning and use of the blade. The mark shows their trademark "Eight Pointed Star" Logo, surrounded by:

RUDOLF BÜCHEL
(RBS Star Logo)
SOLINGEN MERSCHEID

Per J. Anthony Carter's book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this firm was founded and registered in 1923 in the Merscheid Neighborhood of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades." Rudolf Büchel was the son of a pocket knife maker, and had been a salesman for Gebrüder Weyersberg in South America. He founded his own company, and registered the trademark of RBS in a circle within an 8 pointed star. Most of the daggers produced were for the SA, but there were some rarely found Army daggers, possibly assembled from components contracted out. The company continued after WWII into the 1970s, run by his son and daughter.

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for later produced blades, and looks to have seen actual service during the war. These were usually for ceremonial purposes only, but in this case the edge was sharpened a bit, and overall the blade shows scratching and other wear consistent with use. We can also see areas where oxidation was cleaned away, however it still does look quite nice. There are only traces of the original factory final grind cross grain in areas. The original leather blade buffer is in place within the deep recesses of the guard.

This scabbard is a fine, straight example, having almost all of the zinc plated finish retained, with the expected oxidation and wear. The steel shell shows no denting, just some areas of oxidation where the plating has eroded. The bands are zinc alloy, and are well defined and have outstanding hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle, with some wear. The throat is retained by two two dome-headed screws, one in each side, and is the narrower version seen.

This is a lovely 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with scabbard and portepee, made by a rare Solingen maker and offered in very nice condition. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10"
Overall length: 15 1/8”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”