Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dagger, First Pattern

(Luftwaffe Offiziersdolch). A well-preserved, first pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger, measuring 48.5 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. The blade is plain, fully unmarked, and sits securely within a silvered alloy crossguard which presents in the form of a pair of stylized wings bearing double-sided central sunwheel-style mobile swastikas, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. The handle grip is composed of a curved wooden core lined on the exterior with ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather, with the ribbing in turn retaining an original twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire cord. It completes with a rounded and flattened pommel which bears double-sided sunwheel-style swastikas, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a magnetic metal shaft lined on the exterior with a dark blue Moroccan leather liner. Nickel-plated fixtures are secured to the tip, mid-section, and throat with side rivets, while the latter two retain loops fastened with chain links that in turn culminate in a functional spring clip for uniform suspension. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks to the blade, loss of finish to the metal fixtures, and sporadic deterioration of the scabbard’s liner. A scarce dagger in an overall better than very fine condition.