Germany, Luftwaffe. A II Pattern Officer’s Dagger with Etched Blade & Hanger, by Emil Voos

(Luftwaffe Offiziersdolch mit Anhänger). A well-preserved second pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger, measuring 430 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 265 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. Both sides of the blade present with intricate and striking acid-etched arabesque designs, with the obverse bearing a central Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, set within laurel leaf branches. The blade sits securely within a silvered zink alloy upper crossguard, the obverse of which consists of a detailed Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. An intact black leather buffer pad covers the seam where the blade meets the crossguard. A single piece of ribbed white celluloid comprises the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original length of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire cord. Wrapped around the handle is a portepee consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn, suspended from a strap of identical construction. The dagger completes with a rounded pommel, featuring a double-sided design in the form of a central mobile swastika set within an oak leaf wreath. The pommel screws in to securely maintain the structural integrity of the dagger. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, consisting of a magnetic metal shaft with a pebbled exterior. Both sides of the tip feature raised oak leaf branch designs, while the upper third of the shaft bear integral oak leaf rings, each of which have an integral loop for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage, and is held together by dual side rivets. While the dagger is unmarked, it demonstrates the characteristics of manufacture by the firm of Emil Voos, Solingen. Minor pitting is evident to the blade, along with loss of finish to the zink alloy features, slight loosening of the dagger structure, and some oxidation to the scabbard. The dagger is in an overall better than very fine condition.

It included a Luftwaffe dagger hanger, consisting of a functional gilded zink spring clip, decorated with oak leaves, completing in dual loops. Suspended from each loop is a grey velvet strap, topped on the obverse with a grey rayon liner with two machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses. Each strap bears a magnetic metal eyelet meeting an analogous gilded zink buckle for adjustable suspension. Both complete in functional gilded zink spring clip for attachment to loops emanating from the scabbard’s loops. The reverse of one of the clips is marked with the logo of F.W. Assmann & Söhne, Lüdenscheid. It measures 270 mm in total length as presented. The zink features demonstrate the loss of most of the original gilt finish, and there is minor material fatigue of the straps. The hanger is in an overall very fine condition.