Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, by Paul Weyersberg

(Heer Dolch für Offiziere). A Heer Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 42 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 26.5 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade which retains factory-original sharpening to both the edges and tip. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “PAUL WEYERSBERG, BERLIN”, circumscribing the firm’s wreathed sword logo. It sits within a nickel-plated alloy crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, with an intact blackened leather buffer pad covering the seam. 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. It culminates with a nickel-plated alloy pommel, taking the form of a double-sided wreathed mobile swastika. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled and nickel-plated non-magnetic metal alloy shaft. Dual integral oak leaf bands are set into the shaft just beneath the throat, each retaining a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks and tarnishing throughout the blade, loss of nickel finish to the plated fixtures, and significant loosening of the overall structure of the hilt with the pommel no longer securing the body of the dagger in position. This experienced example remains in a fair condition.