Luftwaffe Daggers

This page's last update: January 27, 2012

1st Model Luftwaffe Daggers

LU1-57 Stunning Double etched 1st Model Luft by Carl Julius Krebs
Here's perhaps one of the rarest of rare. This is a special order private purchase double etched 1st Luft. The 1st luft blade is I believe is one of the largest of all production daggers and therefore required much time and effort to properly etch. This etch pattern is flawless with a wonderful eagle in the center obverse. I rate this blade Mint-. The blade has perfect plating and is correctly etched with the Krebs mark. It's factory buffer is intact. The hilt fittings are all silver washed with just traces of gilt remaining to the swas's. The patina all matches. The grip is triple wrapped with aluminium wire. Aluminum chain has 10 lower and 6 upper ringlets terminating at a OLC marked clip. There are no dents to the scabbard body and no damage to the scabbard leather. All screws are all present. The grip leather is also perfect. Overall Mint-
$19,995

LU1-45 Paul Weyersberg Transitional DLV/1st Luft
Very rare and difficult to find, these transitional examples bridged the gap between production of the 55cm DLV to the 1st Model Luft. dagger. They were made only for a short time using up parts till approx 1936. This one has a Exc+ blade. The very tip has been slightly repointed and there is some oxidation stains which I have tried to show you the worse views of I could get. The reverse is correctly maker etched. No sharpening. Exc+ The blade is seated through a leather washer into the solid nickel crossguard. The hilt fittings are all early silver washed nickel with wonderful patina. The grip is triple wire wrapped with nickel factory wire. Nickel chain has 13 lower and 9 upper ringlets terminating at a solid nickel clip. The scabbard is composition cardboard bases with the fittings secured with staples. Peek at the scabbard fitting see how they are all bench-marked "25"? You never see this stuff on later pieces. The blade is also marked "265" matching the scabbard. Really neat. The leather is complete with small marks and the odd scuff resulting from honest wear. The leather is all original. There is minor wear on the grip but no abuse. Finishing this one is a well worn portepee. Overall Exc+/Exc++
$1295

LU1-55 Personalized SMF 1st Luft
Here's a nice Vet purchased example of a desirable early 1st Model Luft. dagger. The high quality plated blade is NM. There is just a bit of age from where the runners have rested the past 75 years but that's it. The reverse is correctly maker etched with the SMF seated king. The blade is seated through a pebbled blue leather washer into the solid nickel crossguard. The hilt fittings are all early silver washed nickel with wonderful undisturbed patina. These fittings are inserted with brass roundels which create the golden swas's. Peek under the crossguard and you can see the original owners name, "Hptm Pelnaus", (at least that's what I think it says). What I can tell you for sure is that they guy's rank was Hauptmann as Hptm is the short for for it. It's possible this could be researched back to it's original owner. The grip is factory wire wrapped with 2 wires. Normally these are triple wire wrapped, and yes, I could add the correct single wire that's lost but I like to sell them as they arrive. Nickel chain has 14 lower and 9 upper ringlets terminating at a solid nickel clip. The scabbard is nicely leather wrapped with a wee spot of leather loss the to lower reverse. Other than that the leather is complete with small marks and the odd scuff resulting from honest wear. The leather is all original. There is minor wear on the grip but no abuse. Overall Exc++
$1395

LU1-56 Lüneschloss 1st Model Luft
Here's a rare maker, I just looked it up in Witty's bible as well as Fisher's Reference and these guys are not even listed as a maker of 1st Lufts! I think it's great that we're still learning so much it this hobby! This one has a Exc+ Lüneschloss marked blade. The blade has good plating and a few nicks to the "cutting surface" like the edge was hit against something. It's leather washer is lost to time. The hilt fittings are all silver washed brass based with gilt remaining to the swas's. Neat as I've never seen a 1st luft made this way. The grip is triple wrapped with brass wire. Aluminum chain has 8 lower and 7 upper ringlets terminating at a OLC marked clip. The chain looks to be period fixed and twisted some. It's a simple fix but I'm not touching this as I sell 'em like they land from the Vet's families. There are no dents to the scabbard body but there are a few scuffs to the original leather. All screws are all present. There is normal wear on the grip but no abuse. Complete with well worn beat portepee. Fresh from a BC family, never been in a collection. A good example but a newly discovered maker! Overall Exc+
$1150

LU1-52 Alcoso 1st Luft with lacquer!!
When was the last time you ever saw a 1st Luft. with lacquer? This is rare as hen's teeth! All of these were issued this way but you never see them for sale cause they get snapped up. This one has a NM plated blade with a couple dots of age the worse of which I have blown way up for you. Other than wipe off the cosmoline it's completely untouched. The reverse is correctly maker etched with the sideways Alcoso maker mark. No sharpening. and certainly NM The blade is seated through a pebbled blue leather leather washer into the zinc based crossguard. The hilt fittings retain better than 50% of issue lacquer, and look at the gold on the swas's, again you never see a zinc based dagger with this sort of finish today! The grip is triple wire wrapped with factory wire. Aluminum based chain has 10 lower and 6 upper ringlets terminating at a OLC marked clip. The undented scabbard has all the leather intact with just some minor pressure marks. The screws are all unturned. This thing was sitting in the Vet's family desk drawer 2 weeks ago and has never been in a collection. Other than clean the oil off the blade it's completely untouched. Overall NM
$1195

LU1-60 Klaas 1st Luft
Here's a good example of a nice 1st luft with a good blade. This one has a Exc++/NM Klaas marked blade. The blade has excellent crossgrain with just minor evidence of age. It's leather washer is intact. The hilt fittings are all silver washed with lots of lacquer and good gilt to the swas's. The grip is triple wire wrapped. Aluminum chain has 10 lower and 6 upper ringlets terminating at a OLC marked clip. There are no dents to the scabbard body but there are a few scuffs to the original leather. All screws are all present. There is normal wear on the grip but no abuse. A good example clean example! Overall Exc++
$1150

LU1-49 Very interesting Pilot group
Here's a group that was purchased by a picker of mine from an estate sale. Included in the group is a wooden hand-painted plaque that is dedicated to a pilot Major Heno for his service 1943/44, five period photographs, and finally a nice 1st model Luft dagger. First the dagger: This one has a Exc++ Eickhorn marked blade. The very tip may have been slightly retipped, if so, this was done in the period as it's got age to the tip, you would not know if you didn't look at this with a loop. There are no nicks or sharpening and the plating is excellent. The maker mark is the etched Eickhorn mark used through the majority of the period. It is seated through a pebbled blue leather washer into a zinc based mid-period crossguard. The hilt fittings are all matching. The grip is wrapped with aluminium wire. Aluminum chain has 8 lower and 6 upper ringlets terminating at a OLC marked clip. There are no dents to the scabbard body or the nickel fittings however there is evidence of light wear. The leather looks to all be original. All screws are all present. There is minor wear on the grip but no abuse. The plaque: This thing is awesome! Measures approx 17" in diameter it's completely hand painted id deep vivid color. Look at all the unit shields!! The back has a unit dedication to him. Finally included are 5 period photo's of him. What's great is his decorations are well shown. He was for sure a bomber pilot as he wears the bomber clasp, EKI, and pilot badge. The pics are pretty good and better than shown as I have not scanned these rather taken a picture of the pictures. Ok, so there you have it guys. A great opportunity to buy the story of a pilot who you can research. Overall Exc++
$1750

2nd Model Luftwaffe Daggers

LU-250 Tiger 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
A nice piece taken from this year's MAX show! The polished blade rates an easy Exc++ with only the odd bit of age (but you really have to look hard to find them). There is no damage what-so-ever to the blade the crossgraining is beautiful the tip is perfect and the small stamped Tiger maker mark looks awesome! The original brown pebbled leather buffer pad remains intact. The airplane grey scabbard is dent free but has lost some of it's finish. The throat is secured by a single screw. The crossguard, ferrule and pommel are in good condition and beautifully detailed with light wear throughout. The white celluloid over plaster grip is in excellent shape, with no cracks or chips, only the odd scuff/spot. It is nicely wrapped in double twisted brass wire. A true quality example. Overall this piece rates Exc++.
$725 HOLD(sh)

LU-5018 E. & F. Horster 2nd Model Luftwaffe
Here's one with a nice set of hangers! It features an Exc+/Exc++ polished blade, with the dark double oval Horster maker mark and beautiful crossgrain! It does have some age grey / spotting that is worse towards the tip. The aluminum based pommel and crossguard have even wear to them, although they are nicely detailed. The pommel has some nice hand enhancing and retains some of its original gilt. The crossguard pattern has great detail especially in the eagle's wings and topside engraved oak leaves. The buffer pad is tightly secured in between the crossguard and blade. The white grip is wood based celluloid and has a split from top to bottom. The original wire wrap remains intact. The dent free, decorative aluminum pebbled scabbard is a beautiful example in excellent condition. The throat is secured with two dome head screws. The whole thing has an even patina to it. This piece is decent despite the crack and it comes with an excellent set of hangers that are worth $150 on their own. Overall this one rates Exc+.
$650

LU-5030 2nd Model Eickhorn Luftwaffe Dagger
Here's a decent example for you guys! The blade on this example has beautiful crossgrain a perfect tip and a nice and dark maker mark to its obverse. There are several hits to the edges of the blade and some light toning where the runners have rested. Overall the blade rates Exc+. The Eickhorn airplane grey scabbard has some oxidization wear although is nicely detailed and fits well to the crossguard. Both throat retaining screws remain intact. The eickhorn crossguard is beautifully detailed and looks great! The original buffer pad remains intact. The warm yellow trylon grip has marks throughout although there are no chips or cracks. The beautiful heart shaped eickhorn pommel is hand enhanced to its sides and looks good. The grip has a little wiggle from normal shrinkage. The tight springy wire remains intact. The whole thing has even wear to it. Overall this piece rates Exc+
$625

LU-252 Early Paul Weyersberg & Co 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
This is a nice matching Paul Weyersburg example of a 2nd model Luftwaffe dagger and was purchased from an advanced collector! The plated blade on this example rates Exc+/Exc++. The blade has a very minor nick to its tip, and the runner marks are evident where they have rested for the past 75 years. The early plated blade is waffen amt proof stamped with the small stick eagle above the beautifully executed maker mark. The leather buffer pad remains intact. The scabbard is a well-worn Paul Weyersberg's example. The edges have lost some of their finish and there is a dent to the lower quarter of the scabbard. The rings are slightly bent. The Weyersberg crossguard and pommel are beautifully detailed! Just look at the eagle's chest, see the hand work? Gonna love it! The pommel is nicely hand chased and the gilt on the swastika is nice. The warm orange trylon grip looks awesome. It has the odd spot but no cracks or chips! The dark twisted wire wrap provides a great contrast to the grip and remains in great condition! If you can forgive the scabbard dent you have found yourself a bargain!, Overall rates Exc+/Exc++
$650

LU-249 Horster 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
A nice piece here. It features an Exc+/Exc++ polished blade, with the double oval Horster maker mark to the obverse (sorry I couldn't get a picture). It has a few nicks near the tip, along with a bit of age grey throughout. The aluminum based pommel and crossguard have clean even wear to them although are nicely detailed with a hand enhanced pommel. The crossguards pattern has great detail especially in the eagle's wings and topside engraved oak leaves. The buffer pad is tightly secured in between the crossguard and blade. The white grip is nice with no chips or cracks, and has a nice tight brass wire wrap. The dent free, decorative alluminum pebbled scabbard is a beautiful example in excellent condition. The throat is secured with two dome head screws. The whole thing has a nice even patina to it. A true quality example. This piece also comes with a well-worn portepee. Overall Exc+/Exc++
$700

LU-205 2nd Model with rare wood grip
This one is for you guys who like unusual grips-very unusual handle is hardwood under paint and finished with a double stranded wire. It really speaks to the period as manufacturers were scrambling try to get production out while being squeezed for raw materials. The result is many variations that collectors do so love to see. 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 aluminum hilt is completed with nice fittings to include a pommel with some gilt remaining. Unmarked blade is a bright example showing just the most minor age near the tip. Certainly Exc++ Scabbard is a dent free example with 1 side screw securing the liners. No signs of abuse. Overall Rare and unusual Exc++
$695

LU-227 2nd Luft
Here's a reasonably priced example. It features a Exc/Exc+ blade that has some age and stains. I say that and there's still some crossgrain present. All the hilt fittings are aluminum based generic variety. The pommel shows about 50% of it's factory gilt remaining. Crossguard is textbook example with burnished backgrounds. The grip is a pleasing orange trylon. It is damage-free. Original springy wire wrap is intact. Undented scabbard is a nice example that is damage free with excellent finish. The throat is secured with a single side screw. Overall Exc+
$695

LU-224 Klaas 2nd Luft with Black, (Funeral) Grip
Well we've all heard of the funeral daggers, but here's one that's even rarer. A white painted grip. This blade is a Exc+ example having just some age grey and a small tiny wavy to the very tip. It is correctly marked with the Klaas kissing cranes trademark to the reverse. The blade is seated through it's original leather washer into a nice burnished crossguard. The generic pommel matches in patina and finish. All the aluminium fittings are in good shape. Scabbard is a mid-period steel example with an airplane grey finish that suffers oxidizing. Throat is retained by a single reverse screw. All the patina and fittings match in age and finish! The original black trylon grip is very neat and rare to even find. This is the 2nd I've ever seen with the factory white paint, 99% of these guys have cleaned off the white paint and sold them as Funeral Lufts, please don't do that to this one it's unique as it is! It's cracked to the reverse. it's not all the way though and I've taken paints to show this to you. Comes with it's original wire wrap. The entire dagger shows some age but still shows the quality and fit one expects from Klaas. Exc+
$1255

LU-136 2nd Model Luft
Nice clean example. Blade is a Exc+ example having some minor age grey and smudges. It is unmarked. The blade is seated through it's original leather washer into a nice generic style crossguard. All the aluminum fittings are in fine shape, they have been burnished to the backgrounds. Scabbard is a mid-period steel example with a airplane grey finish. Throat is retained by two headless side screws. All the patina and fittings match in age and finish! The original celluloid over plaster grip is a nice crack and chip-free example with original wire wrap. Nicely finishing this dagger is a minty original portepee. A good example. Exc+/Exc++
$655

LU-5022 Killer 2nd Model Eickhorn Luftwaffe Dagger
WOW this one's a beauty! It features an Exc++ blade, with a stamped Eickhorn over the shoulder maker mark. There is a few wee age speckles that hold it back a bit but other than that it's beautiful! The aluminum based pommel and crossguard are in excellent shape and are definitely original to Eickhorn. The pommel has the correct heart shape, with hand enhancing to the sides, but best of all it has 95% the gold plating left! These guilted pieces are very rare and hard to come by. The crossguards pattern has great detail especially in the eagle's wings and topside engraved oak leaves. The original buffer pad is tightly secured in between the crossguard and blade. The warm yellow grip is near perfect with no chips or cracks, and has a nice tight springy wire typical to what one expects on Eickhorns. The dent free, decorative airplane grey pebbled scabbard is a beautiful dent free example. The throat is secured with two screws. The whole thing is in excellent shape! To top this piece off it comes with an original portepee in near perfect condition! Definitely a great investment piece and a true quality Eickhorn example that stands above the rest! Overall Exc++/NM.
$1350 HOLD(an)

LU-248 WKC 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger
Here's a perfectly matching WKC 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. The polished blade is pretty nice with the maker mark to the obverse (sorry I couldn't get a picture). It has some light grey marks likely from old fingerprints and witness marks where the runners have laid. The tip is perfect, there is no sharpening, the crossguard looks great and maker mark is nice and dark. The blade rates an Exc+/Exc++. The original brown pebbled buffer pad remains intact. The WKC airplane grey scabbard display's the classic bands with the pebbled background to the leaves, along with the single throat retaining screw and oval shaped throat. It is in good condition with a small amount of age throughout. The cross guard is beautifully detailed with WKC's classic quillions. The WKC pommel is also pebbled background and displays nice gilt swas's. There is the standard trylon grip, that has the odd stain/mark, but no scratches or chips with the aluminum twisted wire wrap. This piece also comes with a well-worn portepee. Overall this piece is completely matching and rates Exc+/Exc++
$775 Layaway(m)

LU-244 Killer Eickhorn 2nd Luft
WOW this one looks great! It features an Exc++ blade, with the 1935-41 Eickhorn maker mark. It has a bit of plating loss near the tip, and the tip has been slightly nicked, but either than that it’s awesome! The aluminum based pommel and crossguard has clean even wear to them and are definitely original to Eickhorn. The pommel has the correct heart shape, with hand enhancing to the sides, but best of all it has 99% the gold plating left! These guilted pieces are very rare and hard to come by. The crossguards pattern has great detail especially in the eagle's wings and topside engraved oak leaves. The buffer pad is tightly secured in between the crossguard and blade. The warm yellow grip is perfect with no chips or cracks, and has a nice tight springy wire. The dent free, decorative pebbled scabbard is a beautiful plated example. The throat is secured with two screws. The whole thing has a nice even patina to it. A true quality example made by Eickhorn. Definitely a great investment piece. Overall Exc++
$1200 Layaway(r)

LU-247 Unmarked Luftwaffe Dagger
An unmarked example looking for a good home. The polished blade looks worn, with age grey/clouding throughout. There appear to be some scratches to the edges (potentially an attempt at sharpening the blade), the tip looks to have been nicked at some point and there are 5-6 flea bites all the way up the blade. The crossgrain is easily seen. Blade rates Exc. The dent-free scabbard has aluminum bands with hand enhancing to the edges, the airplane grey finish and the double flat head screw construction. The aluminum crossguard eagle has etched oak leaves to its top. The crossguard has great detail to it and is in good condition. The pommel also looks good with hand enhancing to its sides. The dark orange grip has two or three chips out of it, with the double twist brass wire around the grip. This piece also comes with a set of beat hangers. The clips work well, and the back reads D.R.G.M. Overall this piece rates Exc
$525 Layaway(jc)

DLV/NSFK Daggers

DLV-5064 SMF DLV Dagger
Here's a nice one with some factory lacquer remaining! The blade on this piece is awesome! The crossgrain is easily seen through the length of the blade, the dark maker mark is beautifully executed and the tip and fit are perfect! The blade does have the odd spot and you can see the runner marks. The blade rates an easy Exc++. The original leather buffer pad remains intact. The scabbard is in great condition! The nickel fittings continue to retain some lacquer to its cervices. The nickel fittings show wear and rubs. All of the screws remain intact. The throat is correctly stamped with the DLV symbol. The hilt and pommel are in excellent condition. The end of the quillion is correctly caster marked "K", not always seen but reassuring to see. The enamel is 100% intact to the swas's. The original leather is in great condition and only shows minor wear. The grip and scabbard are matching in grain and texture. Overall a nice piece to add to your collection! Rates Exc+/Exc++.
$1395

DLV-5053 Restored SMF NSFK
A beauty NSFK! This one landed with the leather peeling off so I sent it away for to a restorer to have all the leather professionally replaced. As with all my restoration work it is fully disclosed here. This is a well marked example. The blade has been cleaned but there remains some good crossgrain with a perfect tip. There are some runner marks. No other nasties. No grey or fingerprints or damage. Correctly SMF marked. This blade is Exc+. All the hilt fittings are solid nickel. 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 perfect shape with no wear and 100% coverage. The grip and scabbard are all matching in grain and texture, yes even on the buffer. The fitting all show evidence of wear and small little marks that one expects to see on original pieces. The undented scabbard features a near perfect ball and all screws intact and unturned. The throat is correctly marked with the NSFK winged man symbol that Witty shows on pg 26. and below that is a waffen proof stamp, neat! Finally the hanger is intact with a solid nickel clip and the usual nickel roundel. The leather here is replacement as well. Overall Exc+
$1250

DLV-41 Paul Weyersberg NSFK Dagger
Good early issue all nickel example. The polished blade has some age grey throughout. There has been no sharpening, the tip is perfect, it is nicely fit and the crossgrain looks great. The blade rates Exc+/Exc++. The hilt fittings are solid nickel with nice patina and even some lacquer remaining to the cervices. The fittings all show wear and rubs. The end of a quillion is correctly caster marked "K", not always seen but reassuring to see. The enamel is intact to the swas's. The original leather shows wear with some scuffs and pressure marks. The seam is missing some leather and has been shoe polished over. These things often shrink and tear apart here. The grip and scabbard are all matching in grain and texture. The scabbard fitting shows light wear, but remains in good condition. The ball has three light bumps to its bottom. The throat is correctly stamped with the NSFK winged man symbol. All screws intact. Overall Exc+/Exc++
$1200

DLV-35 Helbig NSFK
Here's an interesting DLV variant, known in the hobby as the "crackle finish" NSFK these were an interesting attempt by Helbig to circumvent the material shortages that devastated the edged weapon manufacturers as the war progressed. Copper being absolutely critical was diverted to war materials and the dagger manufacturers were left to their own devices to find substitutes. Of course copper was necessary to make nickel so Helbig designed an aluminum DLV to fill this niche. Polished blade is a Exc+ example with just a bit of grey and some nice crossgrain. The maker mark is correctly etched. The hilt fittings are solid aluminum with a pleasing matte finish. 100% of the paint is intact to the swas's. The leather, (another material suffering shortages) on these has been substituted with a "crackle" paint that imitates the leather quite well, is in good shape showing minor wear and 99.9% coverage. The grip and scabbard are all matching in grain and texture. They did use leather on the buffer pad which its intact. The undented scabbard features a perfect ball and all screws intact. The throat is correctly marked. Overall Exc++
$1795

Why not complete your dagger with a hanger?