Germany, RLB. An Officer’s Dagger, II Pattern, by Paul Weyersberg & Co.

(Reichsluftschutzbund Offiziersdolch). A very well-preserved Reichsluftschutzbund (Reich Air Protection League/RLB) Officer’s dagger, measuring 39.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 24.5 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade is plain with the exception of a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso of “PAUL WEYERSBERG & CO., SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s wreathed sword logo. The blade sits securely within a ribbed nickel-silver crossguard, with the obverse bearing a stylized German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The handle grip consists of a curved wooden core, fully lined on the exterior with a dark blue Moroccan leather liner. Inset into the obverse of the handle is a second pattern RLB insignia consisting of a silvered bronze eight-pointed starburst, overlaid by a black enameled mobile swastika. It is completed with a nickel-silver pommel that screws in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a magnetic metal shaft that is fully lined on the exterior with a dark blue Moroccan leather liner. Fixtures constructed of nickel-silver are riveted into place at the tip, mid-section, and throat, with the latter two retaining loops for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat additionally retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. It demonstrates only minor issues consistent with age and wear, including slight running marks to the blade, tarnishing of the nickel-silver elements, and loss of finish to the handle insignia. This rare dagger is in an overall near extremely fine condition.