Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dagger, Second Pattern, by Carl Eickhorn

(Luftwaffe Offiziersdolch). A well-preserved, second pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger, measuring 430 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 265 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened edges. The blade presents plain with the exception of a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. It sits securely within a nickel-plated alloy crossguard, the obverse of which presents with a finely-detailed Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed brown celluloid, with the ribbing retaining an original silver aluminum wire cord. Completing the dagger is a pommel consisting of a double-sided wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to securely maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the handle is a period original portepee, consisting of a stylized acorn constructed of silver aluminum wire, suspended from a cord of identical construction. It is also accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft with double-sided raised oak leaf designs set around the tip. The upper third of the shaft also features dual integral oak leaf bands culminating in loop for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The former is included, and consists of two dark grey rayon straps, flanked by silver aluminum wire tresses, secured in place with functional gilded zink spring clips, adjusted with buckles of identical construction, attached to the uniform with an additional functional spring clip. The throat of the scabbard is held together with dual side rivets and retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and light wear are evident, and include minor oxidation and pitting of the blade, loss of finish to the nickel-plated elements, loss of finish to the scabbard, and moderate material fatigue to the portepee and dagger hanger. This period-worn example is in an overall better than very fine condition.