A Fine Quality Manufacture 1st Pattern Early Luftwaffe Dagger by Stocker & Co. of Solingen

An excellently preserved first pattern early Luftwaffe dagger of outstanding workmanship by the well-established maker, Stocker & Co. of Solingen (SMF). Measuring 485 mm with the scabbard on, this dagger features a complete and untouched 305 mm long nickel-plated magnetic steel blade. It features a wonderfully mirror-like finish in mint condition, with only very limited contact common to extraction and return to the scabbard. The dagger slides in and out of its dagger smoothly, without hesitation, and fitting perfectly in its place. The blade edges are unsharpened with a semi-sharp tip, and is maker marked with “SMF, Solingen” as well as the company’s stylized logo, as well as a crisp “5” within the partial outlines of a national eagle.The blade is diamond shaped towards the point, with a flat edges on both sides of the blade, becoming more broad towards the crossguard. The thin dark blue leather blade washer remains fully intact and attached the dagger beneath the nickel silver crossguard. The crossguard itself is that of the solid nickel-silver kind, with light patina, and has stook the test of time. It features a gilded sunwheel swastika (Hakenkreuz) with the majority of the original gilding still intact. The dark coloured grip shows minimal signs of wear, and is overall exceptionally well preserved, with thirteen rows of wrapped twisted wire. Although the majority of the wire binding sits tight against the grip, some rows have become slightly loose. The aluminum pommel is equally well preserves, and also features two gilded sunwheel swastikas on both sides. It sits straight and is attached to the dagger tightly, without any wiggling. The scabbard is constructed of an iron base (magnetic), with firmly attached aluminum fittings and a lightly with period-original screws, and features a textured blue Moroccan leather covering - all without any significant signs of wear. Attached to the scabbard is a dual-strand aluminum dagger hanger chain with a fastener at the end, featuring a fully functional spring. Overall, this dagger is a textbook example of an early period Luftwaffe dagger in near mint condition.