Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dagger, II Pattern, Funeral Variant, by Ernst Pack & Söhne

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere mit Portepee). An extremely well-preserved second pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger, measuring 425 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 260 mm-long magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and unsharpened edges. The blade presents plain with the exception of a maker’s mark near the reverse ricasso in the form of a late-pattern inscription of “ERNST PACK & SÖHNE, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s blacksmith logo, in turn circumscribed by an inscription of “SIEGFRIED WAFFEN”. It sits securely within an aluminum upper crossguard, with the obverse consisting of a finely-detailed Luftwaffe eagle with downward-swept wings, clutching a mobile swastika, while the reverse presents with a plain pebbled finish. The handle grip is composed of ribbed black bakelite, wrapped with twisted and rolled brass wire. It completes with rounded pommel, each side of which bears a central mobile swastika within an oak leaf wreath. Wrapped around the dagger is a period original portepee, constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire and completing in a stylized acorn. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. The lower quarter of the scabbard bears raised oak leaf patterns on both sides, and also features dual integrated bands at the upper third of the shaft. Each band features raised oak leaf designs and completes in a loop for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The throat is held together by dual side rivets and retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage. Minor issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include some oxidation and running marks to the blade, along with some loss of finish and scratching of the handle grip and material fatigue to the portepee. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Luftwaffe daggers with black handle grips are commonly known as “funeral” variants, but there is no evidence to support the notion that this design served any funerary purpose.