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a SA Dagger?

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 This page's last update: April 15, 2008 Luftwaffe

Reference Book

  LU1-23 David Malsch Early 1st Model Luft  Certainly you will have a hard time finding a cleaner piece. This is a very early dagger as evidenced by the 1st pattern Malsch engraved mark. This one has a NM blade. Just light runner marks and that's it. The blade is also inspection stamped. No sharpening, graying or pitting. The blade is seated through a pebbled blue leather washer into the crossguard. The hilt fittings are all early nickel. This baby was cleaned a year or so ago and is already starting to tone down to a warm yellow patina. The sunwheel swas's are the type that are inserted brass roundels with traces of the silver wash intact between the legs. The grip is triple wire wrapped with the factory wire.  Nickel chain has 14 lower and 9 upper ringlets terminating at a nickel clip. Look at the ringlets, see how they are the early ones with flats on both sides. These were quickly abandoned for the easier type to make with round wire. Just a cool detail I like to point out. There are no dents to the scabbard body and just the smallest bruise to the lower reverse fitting and normal marks from wear. The leather is about as good as it ever gets. Scabbard screws are all present. Definitely a keeper! Overall Exc++ $1695 HOLD(tb)   LU1-18 Early transitional Paul Weyersberg 1st Model Luft  Well here is a tough one to find. These very early 1st lufts are a transition from the 55mm DLV. Inspection stamped blade is Exc++ with nice bright plated finish. There are a couple spots on the blade that are black. I know these could be improved with some semi-chrome but I will not do it.Exc++ No sharpening, graying or pitting. The blade is seated through a pebbled blue leather washer into crossguard. The hilt fittings are early nickel. What I really like about this one is the amount of silvering retained between the Swas. legs. Really nice. Scabbard is a soft cardboard shell with 100% of original leather intact. See the staples retaining the fittings? Almost never see this, these were only made for a short time and soon replaced with the cheaper and easier to manufacture steel shell and screws. Fittings are all matching nickel. Chain has 14 lower and 9 upper ringlets with original clip that is DRGM marked. The chain is attached to the scabbard rings with "S" hooks- very early. There are no dents and as with most of these transititionals the runners have pushed against the cardboard and you can see where they have distorted the shell. Not a bad thing, rather evidence this is exactly as it should be. Scabbard screws are non-existent! There is the odd pressure mark but just evidence of period use. The handle is a nice example with 3 wire wrap. There is minor wear on the grip but no damage. Finishing this dagger is a salty portepee and a loop. Very nice to find a complete rig like this! Overall Exc++ $1850 HOLD(inf)   LU1-16 Early SMF 1st Model Luft  The most well known of all Luft makers SMF made a beauty 1st luft and this one is no exception. Waffen marked blade is Mint example with nice bright plated finish. 100% of plating is intact. No sharpening, graying or pitting. Just some light evidence where the runners have rested. The blade is seated through a pebbled blue leather washer into crossguard. The hilt fittings are all early silver washed nickel with wonderful patina. The sunwheel swas's are the type that are inserted brass roundels with almost 100% of the silver wash intact between the legs. The grip is triple wire wrapped.  Nickel chain has 13 lower and 9 upper ringlets terminating at a nickel loop. Loop? What's with the loop. Ok guys not everything you get is textbook and I'm not just adding a clip on this to fit what some book says. These things were carried in many different fashions. This one most likely the guy has something rigged up special. There are no dents to the scabbard body or the nickel fittings. The leather is all original and in excellent shape. Scabbard screws are all present and unturned. There is the odd pressure mark but just evidence of period use. There is minor wear on the grip but not abuse. I just purchased this from a Vet's estate exactly as you see it. Really a wonderful example. Overall Exc++ $1395 HOLD(ch)   LU1-20 Unit Marked Early SMF 1st Model Luft  SMF certainly was in good with the Luftwaffe. They received more than their share of the edged weapon production. This one has a Exc+/Exc++ blade. The blade shows wear on the flats where the runners have made contact. The reverse is correctly maker etched. No sharpening, graying or pitting. The blade is seated through a pebbled blue leather washer into the crossguard. The hilt fittings are all early silver washed nickel with wonderful patina. Look under the crossguard and you will see where the original owner scratched in his unit. The sunwheel swas's are the type that are inserted brass roundels with 100% of the silver wash intact between the legs. The grip is triple wire wrapped with the factory wire.  Nickel chain has 14 lower and 9 upper ringlets terminating at a nickel clip. There are no dents to the scabbard body or the nickel fittings however there is evidence of bruises and marks from normal wear. The leather is so good I have to err on the safe side here calling it a professional releather. The job is perfect and the leather is real nice. Scabbard screws are all present. There is minor wear on the grip but not abuse. A good example. Overall Exc++ $1570   LU1-21 Tiger 1st Model Luft Well for the guy who's on a budget this is the perfect piece. Plated blade is nice and clean with no age or gray, unfortunately the kids had access to it years ago and played "swords" dinging up the cutting edge with several marks. You can feel these with your finger. Rates Exc. The blade is perfectly seated through it's original blue leather washer into the crossguard. The hilt fittings are aluminum based type. Although it's got lots of dirt and a few dings it still retains that nice matte finish. This one's swas's show nearly 100% of their original gilt finish, not polished down like so many of these are. Scabbard-is a steel shell with all of original blue leather intact. I say that but there are lots of scuffs and scrapes but there's no areas I can see where it's scuffed down to the shell. Now the obverse between the center and upper fitting has been squashed in. maybe someone stepped on it? not sure but it is dented. Fortunately the blades still slides in pretty good, a bit tight but not overly so. Aluminum chain is 10/6 ringlet configuration, some of the connectors appear to have been twisted. Unturned headless screws secure the scabbard fittings to the shell and are intact and unturned. The handle is again in pretty good shape with minor wear and some scuff down to the wood on the reverse. It retains it's factory springy type wire wrap. This one is a good started for someone who needs a break, please no dealers on this one. Exc $650 HOLD(rr)     LU1-22 Early SMF 1st Model Luft  Another SMF! This one has a Exc++ blade. The inspection stamped blade shows evidence of runner marks. The reverse is correctly maker etched. No sharpening, graying or pitting. The blade is seated through a pebbled blue leather washer into the crossguard. The hilt fittings are all early silver washed nickel with wonderful patina.  The sunwheel swas's are the type that are inserted brass roundels with some traces of the silver wash intact between the legs. The grip is triple wire wrapped with the factory wire.  Nickel chain has 12 lower and 9 upper ringlets terminating at a nickel clip. There are no dents to the scabbard body or the nickel fittings however there is evidence of bruises and marks from normal wear. The leather is original with one spot missing leather to the lower section. I have taken pains to make this clear to you in the pics. Scabbard screws are all present. There is minor wear on the grip but not abuse. A good example. Overall Exc++ $1595 HOLD(rich)   LU1-19 Rich. A. Herder 1st Model Luft - Rare Well this is a new one to me!! The first Herder Luft 1 I've ever seen. This example is a nice mid-period piece. Polished blade shows storage age with some oxidizing to the blade the worse being to the reverse toward the tip. Exc/Exc+. The blade is perfectly seated through it's original blue leather washer into a great crossguard. The tip is perfect. The hilt fittings are aluminum based type. Notice the roudels are the inserted type so the transition to all aluminum had not yet fully been switched over when this dagger was made. I really like this one as the swas's show nearly 100% of their original gilt finish, not polished down like so many of these are. Scabbard-is a steel shell with 95% of original blue leather intact. There is some leather loss on the edge where the seam is. There are the usual witness marks from use, but no damage. Fittings are sliver washed steel. Aluminum chain is 10/6 ringlet configuration. There are no dents. Unturned dome-head screws secure the scabbard fittings to the shell and are intact and unturned. The handle is again in good shape with minor wear. It retains it's factory triple wire wrap, exactly matching the example in Wittmann's Luft. reference. This one shows some period wear and minor marks but is a very good example for the type collector! Exc+ $950 HOLD(andrew)   2nd Model
LU-116 Etched 2nd Luft with gilt
 Blade has a bit of plating loss in the form of speckles. Pls forgive my pictures. They really do not do this justice. It looks in the pics like there are hits along the edges, this is just due to the way the light reflects off the plating on the edge where there is some loss. I have given enough views that you should see all areas well. The etch is crisp and yes it matches the "textbook" example in Whittmann's book, see pg 236 center. Minor rub marks from runners. This blade is Exc+. All the hilt fittings are aluminum based with darkening to the backgrounds.  The pommel features gilt swas's rating 80% to obverse and 60% to reverse. I like selling these gilt pieces and am always on the look-out for them. The pumpkin orange grip is a trylon example. There are no cracks or chips. Original wire wrap is intact. Undented scabbard shows nice even airplane gray/blue finish that is 95%+ intact. A single headless screw retains the scabbard throat. Always a dagger that turns heads. Overall Exc+/Exc++
$3860  
LU-162 Fridericus 2nd Luft
A rarely seen premium 2nd Luft maker, this is an excellent example. These guys catered to the well heeled officer and are often see with high cost options like ivory grips and artificial and damascus blades. This blade is in fine shape with no damage, there's just minor age and almost all the crossgrain is present. The maker mark is correctly stamped sideways on the reverse. This blade is conservatively Exc+/Exc++. All the hilt fittings are WKC product which is exactly what you would expect to see from these guys. This example matches the fittings and scabbard in Wittmann's Luft guide pg 206. All the fittings are in fine shape with minor period wear. The grip is a celluloid example with a high quality springy type wire wrap. The wrap has aged to a brassy type look. Not sure if the silver wash is worn off on the high areas or if this is how the wire normally appears. Really it's not surprising to see them go with a premium wrap, afterall this is Fridericus! What I do know is that it sure looks great. It is chip and crack free. Undented scabbard has good airplane gray plating. A single headless screw retains the scabbard throat. Nice example that is all matching in patina and finish! Overall Exc++
$850 HOLD(pt)  
LU-147 Beauty Gilt Weyersberg 2nd Luft Rig
Well here is a beauty rig that arrived the other day. I love it when a completely textbook rig lands. No need for excuses this one is exactly as it should be! Early quality plated blade is mirror bright and has a couple small marks and some rubs where the runners have ran, very minor. The maker mark is the etched logo in matt black. It is inspection stamped. This blade is NM. All the hilt fittings are aluminum based with darkening to the backgrounds. The distinctive Weyersberg pommel is a rare find in that it retains most of it's gilt finish. Really a super display piece! The pommel features detailed edge enhancing and dark burnish. Crossguard is textbook example, see top of the page! The  grip is a orange trylon being completely free of chips and cracks. Original wire wrap is intact. Undented scabbard shows nice even airplane gray finish that is 99% intact. Two headless screws retain the scabbard throat. The bands are textbook Weyersberg. Very tough to find gilt pieces in this market! Comes with original Portepee that shows wear but still in good shape. The deluxe hangers show wear to reverse felt as well but overall are in Exc+ shape. Makes for a nice display! Overall NM
$1295 Layaway (eric)  
LU-153 Beauty Anton Wingen 2nd Luft
A rarely seen 2nd Luft maker this is an excellent example. Blade is in fine shape with no damage, there's just this mildest age and all the crossgrain is present. The maker mark is correctly executed and matte black. This blade is conservatively Mint-. All the hilt fittings are aluminum based with darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel features good detail with a gilt finish that is worn to the reverse but nearly all intact to the front. Crossguard is textbook example with almost all the dark burnish intact. The grip is a celluloid over wood example with original heavy brass wire wrap. It is chip and crack free. Undented scabbard has good plating with a bit of loss to the edges, 99% intact. A single headless screw retains the scabbard throat. Nice example that is all matching in patina and finish! Overall Exc++
$750 HOLD(pt)  
LU-156 Weyersberg 2nd Luft
This Paul Weyersberg example exhibits all the characteristics of the earliest production. Early plated blade is in fine shape with some very minor dots of age about the reverse maker mark. The maker mark is the etched logo. Just about the maker mark is a waffen inspection stamp resembling a stick bird with a 5 between it's legs. This blade is and easy Exc++. All the hilt fittings are aluminum based with darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel shows factory hand chiseling to the edges. Crossguard is textbook example again with burnish intact. The grip is a warm orange trolon that has a single old hairliner to the side. It's covered with the portepee but of course I share this with you. The are no chips. Original wire wrap is intact. Scabbard shows a small impression to the obverse just below the upper band. The scabbard is an extra cost nickel plated variety with textbook Weyersberg bands. Two headless screws retain the scabbard throat. Finishing the piece is a Exc++ portepee. Nice example that's never been in a collection that was Veteran purchased by me. Overall Exc++
$700 Layaway(ro)   LU-145 Gilt Unmarked,(Pack) 2nd Model Luft  Blade is Mint- with no need for excuses. No pitting or repointing and all the crossgrain intact. The blade is perfectly seated through it's original black pigskin leather washer into a great crossguard. All the fittings are in fine shape. The swas's are gilt with good finish. I'm really tempted to give them a wee rub to see if I can get the gold to brighten up a bit, so hard to leave things as they are!! Yes, the blade is unmarked but we know this one is a Pack from the distinctive pommel and scabbard bands. See Witty's Luft bible, see pg 139. Scabbard is a mid-period steel example with a "gun blue" finish that does show wear. It is dent and crack free. Scabbard has a single retaining screw. The handle is a perfect example of later celluloid over plaster. The springy wire wrap is intact. A nice example with a killer blade!. Overall an easy Exc++/NM $750  
LU-20 Unusual Early Klaas with wooden handle This one is for you guys who like unusual grips-Very unusual handle is hardwood under paint and finished with a double stranded aluminum wire so often seen on Klaas examples. We know that Klaas did some odd things with their daggers and this is a rare example is another one of them! I've seen one or two of these over the years. This displays the cracks and paint chipping as most do from years of temperature and humidity cycling. Personally I like the paint loss as it reveals the wood underneath. The hilt is completed with some of the nicest Klaas fittings I have ever seen. These are heavily silver plated and have been allowed to patina to black. Only the very heavily plated fitting go black to this extent and most are never allowed to because well meaning collectors polish them up! I know that this would shine up to a killer finish but I prefer to leave ‘em be! Love it!! Blade is a decent plated example showing some age with the early Robt. Klass kissing cranes maker mark. These is a wee bit of a wave to the tip a couple mm up from the end. Hard to see from the front but looking close from the side it's there. Exc+ Scabbard-original distinctive Klaas scabbard with highly detailed aluminum carrying bands and 2 side screws securing the liners. It's got the Klass design to the lower section with a nice stipple pattern to the background. No dents or signs of abuse. There is one screw missing. The dagger comes with portepee, but sorry NOT he hangers. Overall Rare and unusual Exc+ 
$795  
LU-163 WKC 2nd Luft
This is one for the guy who wants just one, but a near mint example. This is a textbook WKC 2nd luft. Blade is nicely crossgrained. No gray, no age, no pitting and a perfect tip, exactly what you are looking for. The maker mark is nicely executed in matte black. This blade is Mint-. All the hilt fittings are aluminum based with darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel exactly matches the example shown on pg 142 of Wittmanns reference. It features good detail with hand enhancing to the edges. Crossguard is again WKC and matches pg 150. The grip is a solid trolon with springy wire wrap. It is chip and crack free. Undented scabbard has an oval throat that was only used by WKC, see pg 181. This throat is secured by a single side screw, again only WKC did this, pg 180. So as you can see this is a textbook WKC and in beauty condition, there is just no problems, defects or reason to make excuses. For the guy who does not want to compromise. Overall NM
$776 HOLD(sw)   DLV
DLV-27 Paul Weyersberg 55cm DLV
Here's a rare piece that you hardly ever see hit a dealer site. Few dealers have ever sold one, much less feel comfortable with them. A very unique animal that at first glance could be mistaken for a 1st model luft however on closer inspection the rarity of this becomes obvious. These are similar but unique in every way. These are way longer than 1st model lufts and have a finer apprearance. I've had several over the years and this one is quite right. A beauty that just came in from the U.K. Plated blade is in Exc+ condition measuring in 39cm, (approx 15"). Any longer and 5this would be in the sword category!! This slender blade is correctly etched with the Weyersberg maker mark. It's got a few nicks in it and some age but not too bad. All the hilt fittings are solid nickel and remain uncleaned. Look at how the nickel hilt and pommel have been pain stakingly inlaid with a brass swas. A tremendous amount of work!! The grip is a hardwood that has been wrapped with cord and covered over with Moroccan leather. The leather is in good shape showing light wear but 100% coverage. The grip and scabbard are all matching in grain and texture, The pommel on this example is not pierced like most, rather this one screws off. That makes this unique in that you can disassemble it. The internal parts are numbered. "1". The top of the grip may have at one time had a ferrel but there is not one on this. If you check Wittmann's Luft reference pg 12 he shows a similar example with no upper ferrel. I suspect all these Weyersberg examples with the screw off pommels came this way.  The buffer is lost to time. The cardboard based scabbard has all staples intact. These were utilized rather than screws to provide the gripping power required. The lower fitting is a bit loose but well intact. Nothing I wouldn't expect from this type of scabbard. The ball is the correct "bumble-bee" shape. Finally the chain is textbook complete with the "S" hooks and the correctly marked clip. Overall Exc+
$5495    
DLV-25 Personalized Joesef Münch DLV
Finding a nice flyer's knife is not an easy chore! Here's an example that is Jeweler personalized! Polished blade is on the rough side showing lots of age, pitting and having even been retipped. Sounds bad, I've seen far worse! This shows evidence of cleaning but I suspect it would improved if you take some time and love with it. The maker mark is executed 90 degrees to what we usually see. Why Münch did this who knows, but these makers located away from the watchful eye of Solingen inspectors often seemed in small ways to show their independence. This blade is VG/Exc. All the hilt fittings are solid nickel with a silver wash that has patinaed to black  The crossguard quillion is caster stamped "K" to the end of the quillion and 100% of the enamel is intact to the swas's. The leather is in good shape showing wear but 100% coverage. I know that the wear would disappear with a bit of shoe polish but this, I leave to you. The grip and scabbard are all matching in grain and texture, yes even on the buffer. The undented scabbard features a near perfect ball and all screws intact. The throat is correctly marked. Best of all the obverse upper fitting is Jeweler inscribed with the original owners initials, "FP". Neat to see the quality of workmanship. BTW, I recently went to get some hand engraving done on a gift for my daughter. Know what? They just do not do this kind of personalized work any more. "If it don't fit on an engraving machine and can't be run by minimum wage staff- forget it!". A shame it's a lost trade. Finally the original hanger is intact with a solid nickel clip. A rare example of a personalized DLV. Overall Exc+
$1495    
DLV-24 Heller DLV
This is getting to be a tough knife to pick up anymore. Finding one with good leather is even tougher!! This is a real nice example. Polished blade shows light evidence of cleaning  and overall in fine shape with nice crossgrain and light runner marks. No pitting, gray, age or stains. The maker mark is the "Heller Balloon Man", logo that many collectors seek. This blade is an easy Exc++/NM. All the hilt fittings are solid nickel with a silver wash that has patinaed to black  The crossguard quillion is stamped "k" and 100% of the enamel is intact to the swas's. Now look at the leather!!! You never find good leather like this. My 1st thought was this thing has been releathered but it has not been. Just a treat to see this!! 100% of leather is intact it's all matching in grain and texture, yes even on the buffer!! Really a super display piece! Undented scabbard features a perfect ball and all screws intact. The throat is correctly marked. The only wear I see on this is the hanger that has age and some cracks. It will be fine if you do not abuse it. The clip is solid nickel. The best example I've had in a long time. Overall Exc++ Note, I just had a great question on this: How can the hanger be in rough shape and the leather on the scabbard and grips be mint? My response: " Yours is a great question and the one I was asking myself when I purchased it. I have owned many of these at least 12 or 15 as well as having examined several dozen. When leathering was done in the period the edges always meet at the edge of the scabbard as well edges are always shaved down to nothing so there is no seam. That's the case on this one. Now to be fair, could this have been done recently? Well possibly if it was sent to a professional restorer who had all the tooling to include shaver and the right colored and grained morroccan leather... I've had stuff restored in the past and never had a result like this. Hence my opinion that this is original leather. Why the beat hanger? That's a great question and the reason the releathering question came up to start. I'll be honest I have no good explanation. 75 years is a long time and the whole story is lost to time. Perhaps if we knew it would all make sense..."
$1595 Layaway(stewart)  
DLV-26 WKC DLV
A beauty that just came in out of one of the best collections in Canada! Polished blade is sweet with a ton of crossgrain if you get an eye loop and look you might find some flea doo doo but that's it!! This blade is NM. All the hilt fittings are solid nickel and have been cleaned several years ago and now have dulled down to a pleasing yellow. 100% of the enamel is intact to the swas's. The leather is in good shape showing light wear but 100% coverage. I know that the wear would disappear with a bit of shoe polish but this, I leave to you. The grip and scabbard are all matching in grain and texture, yes even on the buffer. The undented scabbard has all screws intact. The ball has taken a hit. The throat is correctly marked. Finally the original hanger is intact with a solid nickel clip. Overall Exc++/NM
$1795   Why not complete your dagger with hangers?