Original Item: Only One Available. After the end of WWII, USGI's brought home a multitude of German WWII items, including all types of medals, awards, and other memorabilia, especially edged weapons. Within a year or so, there was already booming collector's market for these items, and many dealers were making trips to Germany to bring back masses of militaria for the market. Additionally, during the immediate post ware period, many companies in Germany still had stocks of components for many of these items, and firms began assembling badges using these old stock parts, sometimes utilizing some replica components.

It wasn't until 1947 that the production of items with NSDAP insignia was banned, so for a few years in the late 1940s, there was a relatively large industry assembling daggers and other items from original parts for servicemen to collect and take home.

This is a very good condition German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer's Dagger with scabbard, composed of original WWII parts with a very nice replica "presentation" blade. The surface of the blade looks to have been etched so that it looks like "Damascus" Steel, but it definitely is not. It looks like the dagger was already assembled, and then had the blade replaced during the immediate post war years. It is also possible that it was entirely made from parts, but the fittings match quite well, with a lovely aged grip, so those parts look to be original.

The celluloid grip of this dagger has only faded a bit to a lovely light orange color, relatively close to the original ivory white. 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 twisted plated brass wire, which has a lovely lightly oxidized patina.

The hilt mounts are in very good shape on this dagger. The pommel is in good condition, showing some wear to the design and pebbling. The "mobile" swass on both sides are clear, with the oak leaves around them are raised out and 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.

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.

The replica presentation blade is textured to look like it is made from laminated "Damascus" steel, and the front side is marked Für besondere Tapferkeit im Luftkampf. (For special bravery in air combat.) in Germab "Blackletter" typeface, with the signature of Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring to the right. On the rear it is named to Hauptm. Franz Mayr, next to a Luftwaffe "Droop Tail" Eagle. These markings were all originally gold highlighted, which still remains on the edges, with the center portions worn away due to the runner. The replica blade is in very good condition otherwise.

This scabbard is a fine, straight example, having much of the original plating retained, and showing areas of tarnish oxidation, so it may be silver plate. The steel shell shows no denting, just some areas of oxidation where the plating has eroded. The bands are aluminum, and are still well defined and have outstanding hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle, with some wear. The throat is retained by two flush-headed screws, one in each side, and is the narrower version seen.

A very interesting German WWII Luftwaffe dagger, with a very nice replica presentation blade. Ready to display!

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