Germany, Luftwaffe. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, with Hanger, by E. & F. Hörster

(Luftwaffe Dolch für Offiziere). An extremely well-preserved 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 reading “E. & F. HÖRSTER, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic monogram logo. The blade sits securely within a silvered alloy crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid, with the ribbing retaining an intact twisted and rolled wire cord. It completes with a silvered alloy pommel, in the form of a double-sided wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. Two integral oak leaf bands are set into the upper third of the shaft, each retaining a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat has a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include faint running marks to the blade and patination of the scabbard shaft. This high-quality example remains in an extremely fine condition.

The dagger is accompanied by a matching hanger, consisting of a functional non-magnetic metal spring clip with two loops emanating from the bottom edge. Two dark grey doeskin straps descend from the loops, both topped by dark grey rayon tresses, in turn flanked by machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire piping. The straps are adjusted with buckles, and culminate in functional non-magnetic metal spring clips to lock onto the scabbard’s loops. Unmarked, the hanger measures 29 cm in total length. Demonstrating loss of finish to the metal fixtures, with additional fading and material fatigue to the straps, it remains in a better than very fine condition.