Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, First Pattern, by Alcoso

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere, 1. Form). A well-preserved, late-issue first pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 48.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 31 cm-long, nickel-plated magnetic steel blade which retains factory-original sharpening to both the tip and edges. The reverse ricasso is maker marked with the final pattern logo of Alcoso, Solingen, indicating production by the former firm of Alexander Coppel. The blade sits securely within a nickel-plated crossguard which takes the form of a pair of stylized rings, inset on both the obverse and reverse with a central gilded sunwheel-style mobile swastika, with an instact dark blue Moroccan leather buffer pad covering the seam. The handle is composed of a wooden core situated within a ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather grip, with the ribbing retaining a bronze wire cord executed according to Alcoso’s typical design. It completes with a rounded and flattened nickel-plated alloy pommel, decorated with double-sided and gilded sunwheel-style mobile swastikas, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a magnetic metal shaft which is fully lined on the exterior with dark blue Moroccan leather. Three nickel-plated alloy fixtures are secured to the tip, mid-section, and throat with side rivets. Emanating from the latter two is a multi-link aluminum chain which culminates in a functional spring clip to lock onto a corresponding uniform hanger. The clip is maker marked with the logo of Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid. A functional spring catch situated within the throat firmly holds the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include moderate loss of gilt and nickel plating to the hilt, minor material fatigue to the scabbard leather, and some loss of nickel plating to the scabbard fixtures. This late-issue example of a first pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger remains in a very fine condition.