Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer's Dagger With General’s Hanger, By Lauterjung & Co.

(Luftwaffe Dolch mit Anhänger). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger, measuring 430 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 265 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade presents plain with the exception of a maker’s mark near the reverse ricasso of “PUMA, SOLINGEN”, beneath a stylized puma’s head, for the firm of Lauterjung & Co., Solingen. It sits securely within a silvered zink alloy upper crossguard, the obverse of which presents as a detailed Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika. An intact brown leather buffer pad covers the seam where the blade meets the crossguard. The handle grip consists of a single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid, wrapped in an original twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire cord. Also wrapped around the handle is a portepee, consisting of a stylized acorn constructed of silver aluminum wire, suspended from a cord of identical construction. Completing the dagger is a silvered zink alloy pommel, each side presenting with a raised mobile swastika within an oak leaf wreath, which screws in turn securely maintain the structural integrity of the dagger. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. Dual integrated bands are set into the upper third of the shaft, each completing in a loop for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include some oxidation and running marks to the blade, as well as oxidation and loss of finish to the zink alloy features. It is in an overall better than very fine condition.

The dagger is accompanied by a Luftwaffe General’s hanger, consisting of a gilded zink alloy spring clip with dual loops. Suspended from each buckle is a strap consisting of a dark grey velvet underlay, topped by machine-embroidered dark grey rayon bearing dual silver-grey threaded bands. Each strap is adjusted with a functional gilded zink buckle, both presenting with raised oak leaf designs. The straps both complete with functional gilded zink alloy spring catches, affixing the hanger to a corresponding dagger. It is marked with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and an unidentified maker’s code. Measuring 290 mm in overall length, it displays some issues consistent with age and use, including soling and fraying of the embroidered materials, as well as oxidation and loss of finish to the zink alloy elements. It is in an overall very fine condition.