Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dagger, Second Pattern with Hanger, by Stöcker & Co.

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere mit Gehänge). A second pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s dagger, measuring 42.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 26 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade is plain with the exception of a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso in the form of the classic seated king logo of Stöcker & Co., Solingen. It sits securely within an aluminum alloy crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, with an intact buffer pad covering the seam. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid, with the ribbing retaining an intact twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire cord. It completes with an aluminum alloy pommel consisting of a double-sided wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the pommel is a matching portepee, consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn suspended from a strap of identical construction. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. The upper third of the shaft has two integral oak leaf bands for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include extensive surface oxidation to the blade, minor scratching and chipping to the handle, nicking of the crossguard and pommel, some loosening of the pommel which no longer screws in with a proper alignment, and loss of finish throughout the scabbard. It remains in a fair condition.

The dagger is also accompanied by a matching hanger, consisting of a functional aluminum alloy spring clip with dual loops emanating from the lower edge. Descending from each loop is a slate-grey doeskin strap topped by dark grey rayon tresses, in turn flanked by machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire piping. Each strap is adjusted with a functional aluminum buckle, and culminates in a functional spring clip to lock onto the scabbard’s loops. Demonstrating only minor signs of wear consistent with age, the hanger remains in a near extremely fine condition.