Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, with General’s Hanger, by F.W. Höller

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere mit Gehänge). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 43 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 26 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade which retains factory-original sharpening to the edges and tip. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “F.W. HÖLLER, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic thermometer logo with 17 ticks. It sits securely within an aluminum alloy crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, with the seam covered by an intact blackened leather buffer pad. A single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid composes the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire cord. The dagger culminates in an aluminum alloy pommel, consisting of a double-sided wreathed mobile swastika, which screws in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the pommel is a matching portepee, 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 magnetic metal shaft. Dual integral oak leaf bands situated just below the throat retain loops for the accommodation of a hanger. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include faint running marks to the blade, a consistent patina to the hilt and scabbard, moderate fatigue to the portepee, and the loss of functionality to the scabbard’s throat clip. It remains in a better than very fine condition.

Also accompanying the dagger is a matching General-grade hanger, consisting of a functional gilded spring clip decorated with raised oak leaves. Two oak leaf-clad loops descend from the lower edge of the clip, each accommodating a dark grey doeskin strap topped by a layer of dark grey rayon threading, in turn trimmed along both edges 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 reverse of the upper clip is marked with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and maker code “UE 10”, while the hanger measures 28 cm in total length as presented. Demonstrating moderate loss of gilt finish to the metal fixtures, it remains in a near extremely fine condition.