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

(Luftwaffe Offiziersdolch). A Luftwaffe Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 425 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 265 mm-long magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade is plain with the exception of a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, topped by the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits firmly within a silvered alloy upper crossguard, the obverse of which presents as a raised and finely-detailed Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. A single piece of ribbed pale orange celluloid composes the handle grip, with the ribbed retaining a period original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. The dagger completes with a rounded pommel featuring a double-sided wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to securely maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. The upper third of the shaft features dual integral rings bearing raised oak leaves, each with a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch, firmly holding the dagger in place during storage, and is held together by dual side rivets. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include moderate oxidation to the blade, as well as minor oxidation and loss of finish to both the silvered features and scabbard shaft. The dagger is in an overall very fine condition.