A 2nd Pattern Luftwaffe Dagger by Carl Eickhorn, Solingen

This dagger features a 255 mm nickel-plated steel blade, magnetic, with dull edges and having a semi-sharp tip. The blade's reverse ricasso is maker marked Carl Eickhorn, Solingen with the company's squirrel insignia (the version of the insignia used between 1935 and 1941). It retains its crossgraining, in addition to scratches overall, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, natural shine, with scattered surface wear and pitting, very fine. The black leather washer at the crossguard junction has hardened but remains intact. Bright aluminum hilt fittings includes the embellished pommel and eagle crossguard, the surfaces on both exhibiting moderate surface wear and contact marks. The silvered metal ferrule is magnetic and emblazoned with a repeating oak leaf motif. Darker pumpkin-coloured celluloid grip exhibits scattered nicks and contact marks, the ten rows of silvered wrap in the recesses of the ribbed grip showing scattered interruption in the wire, the dagger measuring 380 mm overall. Silvered metal scabbard measures 296 mm, magnetic, with a traditional pebbled finish, crisp ball finial, the throat retained by two mounted screws, oak leaf bands with rings, is free of dents, surface rust on the tip of the ball finial, with overall silvering loss evident. Accompanied by a pair of dagger hangers with straps in silver bullion, grayish blue and gray embroidered uppers, black corduroy backs, aluminum buckles and sliders with a repeating oak leaf motif, both dagger clips and the belt clip are functional, the latter marked "DRGM" (Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster) on the reverse, the bullion and fabrics showing wear from active use. Very fine.