Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Sword, by F. & A. Helbig

(Luftwaffe Offiziers-Schwert). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Officer’s sword, measuring 98 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 78 mm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. A fuller runs approximately one-third of the length of each side of the blade. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “F. & A. HELBIG, STEINBACH”, circumscribing the firm’s “GAEGLER” trade name. It sits securely within an aluminum hilt featuring a crossguard that takes the form of feathered wings, and which bears double-sided central gilded sunwheel-style mobile swastikas, with the seam covered by an intact dark blue Moroccan leather buffer pad. The handle is composed of a curved wooden core lined with a ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather grip, with the ribbing retaining a twisted and rolled aluminum wire cord. It completes with a flattened and rounded aluminum pommel which bears double-sided gilded sunwheel-style mobile swastikas, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a boiled dark blue Moroccan leather shaft. Aluminum fittings are secured to both the tip and throat, with dual loops emanating from the latter for the accommodation of a hanger. The former is included, and consists of a dark blue Moroccan leather strap with an additional loop for uniform suspension. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the sword in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, scratching of the aluminum fixtures, wear of the leather elements, and the tearing of one of the hanger’s loops. It remains in an overall near extremely fine condition.