Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, First Pattern, by David Malsch

(Luftwaffe Offiziersdolch, 1. Form). A first pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s Dagger, measuring 48 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 31 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade bears a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso of “DAVID MALSCH, STEINBACH (THÜR.)”. Otherwise unmarked, it sits securely within a nickel-silver crossguard which takes the form of stylized wings bearing central double-sided, gilded, sunwheel style mobile swastikas. The seam remains covered by a fully-intact dark blue Moroccan leather buffer pad. The handle grip consists of a wooden core fully lined with a ribbed liner of identical leather construction, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. It completes with a rounded pommel bearing 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 magnetic metal shaft, also lined on the exterior with dark blue Moroccan leather. Nickel-silvered fixtures are secured to the tip, mid-section, and throat. Integral loops emanating from the latter two retain dual multi-link chains which culminate in a functional spring clip, in turn retaining an original leather loop for uniform suspension. The throat also retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks and loss of nickel-plating to the blade, a dark patina throughout the nickel-silver elements, and minor material fatigue of the leather features. Additionally, it is possible that the hilt has been glued or otherwise fastened in place. This example produced by a scarce manufacturer remains in a better than very fine condition.