Austria, First Republic. A Model 1935 Air Defence Dagger of the Austrian Bundesstaat, c.1935

A silver-plated semi-sharpened high center ridge type with dual edged magnetic blade, the ricasso bears the Viennese maker mark “ZEITLER WIEN VIII” on the obverse, a silvered bronze cross guard shaped in a “V” design and features no insignia on the reverse, and a rounded red and white enamel insert on the obverse (the colours of the Austrian Bundes-flag) and features a bow and arrow symbol in the center, the grip is constructed of a white celluloid that is bulbous in the centre and tapers at either end, the pommel is rounded and bears a resemblance to a crown with a pointed top, the scabbard is constructed of polished non-magnetic silver metal, narrowing towards the tip, with a ball at the end, measuring 260.35 mm, two small eyelets with hanger rings are on the scabbard with a simulated band in between the two eyelets, having four round objects which run around the surfaces (representing airplane engines), measuring 345.44 mm (total length including grip).

Footnote: The Austrian Bundesstaat was a short lived government established in 1934. It was run by the “Fatherland’s Front”, which advocated independence from Nazi Germany. However, Austria was annexed to Germany in 1938, bringing about the dissolution of the Bundesstaat. The Austrian Air Defence Daggers are very similar to the Austrian Pilot Daggers, with the only difference being on the bow and arrow image on the enamel inset of the crossguard, as opposed to the reversed triangle roundel on the pilot’s dagger. Furthermore, the scabbard of the pilot’s dagger features a propeller design whereas this dagger has its own unique design. Production of these daggers was ultimately stopped when Austria became part of the Third Reich as the Austrian Air Force and Air Defence were attached to that of the Luftwaffe.