Germany, Luftwaffe. A First Pattern Officer’s Dagger, Unmarked and Refurbished

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere, 1. Form). A 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 which retains factory-original sharpening to the tip. Unmarked, the blade sits securely within a nickel-plated alloy crossguard which takes the form of a pair of stylized wings, the centre of which is inset with double-sided, gilded, sunwheel-style mobile swastikas. An intact dark blue Moroccan leather buffer pad covers the seam where the blade enters the crossguard. The handle grip consists of a wooden core wrapped with a ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather liner, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and roller silver aluminum wire cord. The dagger culminates with a flattened and rounded nickel-plated alloy pommel, bearing double-sided, gilded, sunwheel-style mobile swastika, which screws in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a magnetic metal shaft lined on the exterior with a post-war replacement dark blue liner. Nickel-plated magnetic metal fixtures are secured to the tip, mid-section, and throat. Emanating from the latter two are integral loops retaining dual aluminum chains formerly accommodating a spring clip for uniform suspension. A functional spring catch situated within the throat firmly holds the dagger in place during storage. In addition to the replacement scabbard liner and missing clip, the dagger demonstrates numerous issues consistent with age and wear, include running marks to the blade, loss of nickel plating to the hilt fixtures resulting in bubbling and pitting, moderate fatigue of the leather handle grip, significant bending of the tang which has resulted in a distortion of the dagger’s overall structure, and significant loss of nickel plating to the scabbard fixtures. This refurbished example remains in a fair condition.