Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dagger, First Pattern, by Anton Wingen, Jr.

(Luftwaffe Offiziersdolch, 1. Modell). A well-preserved first pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger, measuring 49 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, with a classic three-segment composition. The reverse ricasso is maker marked with the logo of Anton Wingen, Jr., Solingen. It sits securely within a silver-plated nickel crossguard which consists of a pair of stylized wings bearing double-sided central gilded sunwheel-style mobile swastikas, with an intact blackened leather buffer pad. The handle grip consists of a ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. It completes with a rounded and flattened pommel bearing double-sided, gilded, sunwheel-style mobile swastikas, screwing in to securely maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a magnetic metal shaft fully lined in dark blue Moroccan leather. Silver-plated nickel fixtures are riveted to the shaft at the tip, mid-section, and throat. Emanating from the latter two are integral loops retaining dual lengths of chain which culminate in a functional spring clip for uniform suspension. The reverse of the clip is maker marked with the logo of Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid. The throat retains a functional spring clip to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Some issues consistent with age and storage are evident, and include the loss of the nickel fixtures’ silver plating, some material fatigue of the leather elements, and loss of finish to the hanger. It remains in an overall near extremely fine condition.