Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, with Hanger, by Carl Eickhorn

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere). A very 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 edges and tip, and with a rich cross grain visible throughout. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s class squirrel logo. It sits securely within an aluminum 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. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. It culminates in an aluminum alloy pommel which bears double-sided gilded and wreathed mobile swastikas, screwing 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 pebbled and nickel-plated magnetic metal shaft. Two integral oak leaf bands are set in place just below the throat, each retaining a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. A functional catch situated within the throat firmly holds the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include minor running marks and tarnishing to the blade, sporadic scratching of the handle grip, and a consistent patina throughout the metal elements. It remains in a near extremely fine condition.

Also accompanying the dagger is a matching portepee, consisting of a functional zink alloy spring clip with dual loops emanating from the lower edge. Each loop retains a dark grey doeskin strap which is topped by a layer of dark grey rayon threading, in turn trimmed with machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses. Each strap is adjusted in length with a functional aluminum alloy buckle, and completes with a functional zink alloy spring clip to lock onto an accompanying scabbard’s loops. Measuring 26 cm in total length as presented, it demonstrates minor material fatigue and loss of finish to the straps and metal fixtures, respectively, and remains in a near extremely fine condition.