Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, with General’s Hanger, by ALCOSO

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere). A well-preserved Luftwaffe Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 42.5 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 tip and throat, and with most of its original crossgrain visible. The reverse ricasso is marked marked with the classic scale logo of “ALCOSO”, indicating production by the former firm of Alexander Coppel, Solingen. The blade sits securely within a silver plated alloy crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, with the seam covered by an intact blackened leather buffer pad. A single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid composes the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. A silvered alloy pommel completes the dagger, and consists of double-sided wreathed mobile swastikas, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the handle is a matching knot, 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 pebbled and plated magnetic metal shaft. Dual integral oak leaf bands situated just below the throat retain loops for the accommodation of a hanger, while a functional catch within the throat itself 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, softening of the crossguard eagle’s features, some loss of silver wash to the plated fixtures, and material fatigue of the knot. The dagger remains in a better than very fine condition.

Also accompanying the dagger is a Genera’s hanger, consisting of gilded zink spring clip decorated with oak leaves, with two loops emanating from the lower edge. Each in turn accommodates a dark grey doeskin strap topped by layers of dark green rayon trimmed with silver aluminum wire tresses, both adjusted with functional gilded zink buckles similarly adorned with oak leaves. The straps culminate in functional gilded zink spring clips to lock onto a corresponding scabbard’s loops. The top clip is marked with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and maker code “U.E. 10”. Measuring 26 cm in total length as presented, the metal fixtures demonstrate near-total loss of gilt finish, but the hanger remains in a very fine condition.