Germany, Luftwaffe. A Rare Officer’s Dress Dagger, First Pattern, by Rudolf Büchel

(Luftwaffe Offiziersdolch 1. Modell). A well-preserved first model Luftwaffe Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 48 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 edges and tip. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “RUDOLF BÜCHEL, SOLINGEN-MERSCHEID”, circumscribing the firm’s stylized logo. It sits securely within a nickel-plated alloy crossguard which takes the form of a pair of stylized wings, bearing double-sided central gilt sunwheel-style mobile swastikas, with an intact dark blue leather buffer pad covering the seam. The handle grip consists of a wooden core fully lined on the exterior with ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. It culminates in a nickel-plated alloy pommel in the form of a circular disc bearing double-sided gilt 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 similarly lined on the exterior with dark blue Moroccan leather, and with nickel-plated alloy fixtures secured to the tip, mid-section, and throat. Emanating from the latter two are eyelets which connect to a multi-link aluminum chain, the lengths of which meet at a functional spring clip which is maker marked with the logo of Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid. A functional catch situated within the throat firmly holds the dagger in place during storage. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include faint running marks to the blade, some loss of nickel to the hilt with some loosening to the structure, and sporadic denting to the scabbard’s fixtures. An example produced by an exceptionally rare manufacturer, this dagger remains in a near extremely fine condition.