Germany, Luftwaffe. A II Pattern Salesman Dagger, Desk Mounted, by Alcoso

(Luftwaffe Brieföffner und Briefbeschwerer). This is a unique and well-preserved Luftwaffe letter opener and paper weight. It consists of a miniature second pattern Luftwaffe officer’s dagger, measuring 270 mm in length when inserted into the scabbard. The dagger features a 155 mm-long polished magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened edges. It presents plain with the exception of a maker’s mark near the reverse ricasso of “ALCOSO, SOLINGEN” (formerly the firm of Alexander Coppel), circumscribing the company’s scale logo. The blade sits securely within the silvered crossguard, the obverse of which consists of a detailed depiction of a Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, while the reverse features a pebbled texture. The handle grip consists of a single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid, with the ribbing wrapped with twisted and rolled copper wire. It completes with a pommel in the form of a rounded oak leaf wreath, each side of which bears a mobile swastika. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft, with raised oak leaf designs on both sides of the tip. The lower third of the shaft features two integrated oak leaf rings with suspension loops, accommodating a dagger hanger. The scabbard as affixed with dual reverse rivets to a base in the form of stylized airplane propellers, constructed of heavy magnetic metal and painted with a lacquered black finish. The base is unmarked and measures 38 mm (w) x 195 mm (l). Issues consisting with age are evident to both elements, including loss of finish and oxidation to the silvered features, four chips to the handle grip with associated cracking, and oxidation of the base. It is in an overall very fine condition.