A 2nd Pattern Luftwaffe Dagger by Lauterjung & Sohn (Puma werk), Solingen

Measuring 425 mm, with the scabbard on, this dagger features a 270 mm nickel-plated steel blade, magnetic, with sharpened edges and having a semi-sharp tip. The blade's reverse ricasso is maker marked Lauterjung & Sohn (Puma werk), Solingen with the company's cougar head insignia. It retains its crossgraining, in addition to scratches overall, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, natural shine, with scattered surface wear and pitting, very fine. The blackened brown leather washer at the crossguard junction has lost some of its blackening but remains intact. Bright aluminum hilt fittings includes the embellished pommel and eagle crossguard, the surfaces on both exhibiting moderate surface wear. The blade does not fit flush to the crossguard, allowing the latter to "float" side-to-side. The silvered metal ferrule is magnetic and emblazoned with a repeating oak leaf motif. Ivory celluloid grip exhibits chipping where it butts both the ferrule and pommel and has nicks throughout, along with missing its ten rows of gold-coloured springy wire in the recesses of the ribbed grip, the base of the pommel chipped as well, the dagger measuring 385 mm overall. Silvered metal scabbard measures 297 mm, magnetic, with a traditional pebbled finish, ball finial, the throat retained by two mounted screws, aluminum oak leaf bands with rings, with a crack extending from one of the screws to the band in one direction and to the mouth in the other direction, dented on both sides on the chape, with overall silvering wear and surface rust evident. Fine.