Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, First Pattern, by Max Weyersberg

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere, 1. Form). A first pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 48 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 both the tip and edges. The blade is plain with the exception of a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso in the form of the logo of Max Weyersberg, Solingen. It sits securely within a nickel-plated brass alloy crossguard which takes the form of stylized wings, and bears double-sided central sunwheel-style mobile swastikas. An intact dark blue Moroccan leather buffer pad covers the seam where the blade meets the crossguard. The handle consists of a wooden core fully lined on the exterior with a ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire cord. It completes with a flattened and rounded pommel bearing double-sided sunwheel style mobile swastikas, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a magnetic metal shaft lined on the exterior with dark blue Moroccan leather. Affixed to the throat is an aluminum fixture, while the mid-section and tip feature magnetic metal fixtures, all held in position with side rivets. Emanating from the former two are integral loops which accommodate a multi-link aluminum chain, culminating in a functional spring clip for uniform suspension. The clip is maker marked with the logo of Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid. Issues consistent with age, wear, and restoration are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, loss of nickel plating throughout the hilt with sporadic fissures, wear of the leather elements, the gluing in place of the pommel, and the replacement of the scabbard’s throat fixture. This refurbished example remains in a very fine condition.