Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dagger, First Pattern, by Carl Julius Krebs

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere, 1. Form). A well-preserved first pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger, measuring 49 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. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “CARL JULIUS KREBS, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s monogram logo. It sits securely within a nickel-plated alloy crossguard which takes the form of a pair of stylized rings, inset on each side with a central gilded sunwheel-style mobile swastika, with an intact dark blue Moroccan leather buffer pad covering the seam. The handle grip consists of a wooden core wrapped in a layer of ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. It culminates in a flattened and rounded nickel-plated pommel, bearing double-sided sunwheel-style mobile swastika, similarly executed in gilt, which screws in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the handle 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 magnetic metal shaft which is fully lined on the exterior with a dark blue Moroccan leather liner. Plated magnetic metal fixtures are secured to the tip, mid-section, and throat. Emanating from the latter two are eyelets accommodating rings which retain multi-link chains that connect to a functional nickel silver spring clip for uniform attachment. The clip is maker marked with the logo of Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid. A functional catch within the throat firmly holds the dagger in place during storage. Some issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks to the blade with sporadic edge chipping, some wear of the nickelplated fixtures, and deterioration of the scabbard liner with evidence of restoration. It remains in an overall better than very fine condition.