Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, with General’s Hanger, by E. & F. Hörster

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere mit Gehänge). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 42.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbed. It features a 26.5 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade which retains factory-original sharpening to both the edges and tip. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “E. & F. HÖRSTER, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic monogram logo. The blade sits securely within an aluminum crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, with an intact black leather buffer pad covering the seam. A single piece of ribbed brown celluloid composes the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. The dagger culminates in an aluminum pommel which takes the form of double-sided wreathed mobile swastikas, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the handle is a matching knot, consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn suspended from a cord of identical construction. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled and plated magnetic metal shaft. Dual integral oak leaf bands with rings for the inclusion of a hanger. The throat retains a functional catch to hold the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks and tarnishing to the blade, a consistent patina throughout the scabbard, and some fatigue to the wire of the knot. It remains in a better than very fine condition.

Also accompanying the dagger is a hanger for General ranks, consisting of a functional gilded zink spring clip decorated with raised oak leaves. Two loops emanate from the lower edge of the clip, each accommodating dark grey doeskin straps, in turn topped by layers of dark grey rayon trimmed with silver aluminum wire tresses. Each strap is adjusted with a gilded zink buckle, and culminates in a functional gilded zink spring clip to lock onto the scabbard’s loops. The upper clip is marked with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and code “U.E. 10”. Measuring 27 cm in total length as presented, the hanger demonstrates material fatigue and loss of finish to the straps and metal fixtures, respectively, but remains in a very fine condition.