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This page's last update: July 23, 2010
Luftwaffe
Reference Book
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++
$1895
LU1-46 Eickhorn Transitional DLV/1st Luft
Very rare and difficult to find, these transitionals example bridged the gap between production of the 55cm DLV to the 1st Model Luft. dagger. They provide almost unlimited variations for collectors. They were made only for a short time using up parts till approx 1936. This one has a Exc+/Exc++ blade with nice plating. There's some light runner marks and the tip is very slightly dull. The reverse is correctly maker etched with the small oval blind squirrel maker mark which matches the period of manufacture of this dagger. No sharpening. 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 brass factory wire. Nickel chain has 14 lower and 9 upper ringlets terminating at a solid nickel clip. Look at the "S" clips where the ringlets meet the scabbard fittings. Very typical of these early pieces. The scabbard is steel based with the fittings secured with staples-not screws. 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++
$1650
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++
$1750
LU1-37 Interesting Höller 1st Model Luft
Could not resist this one. This is a late-war 1st Luft by Holler. This one has a Exc++/NM blade. The reverse is correctly maker etched. No sharpening, graying or pitting. The blade is seated through a pebbled brown leather washer into the crossguard. The hilt fittings are all silver washed alloy with gold plated swas's. The grip is triple wire wrapped with the factory wire the center being the springy type. Aluminum chain has 9 lower and 6 upper ringlets terminating at an OLC marked 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 two spots missing leather, one between the chain fittings and another small spot below the lower center fitting. All the leather on this dagger is brown in color not blue. Very odd to see but that's how it is and I have no explanation. Could be the way the leather aged, could be this was issued this way to some odd formation, I don't know. Everything is original. I've not touched this other than to apply some clear leather conditioner. Oddly all the fittings have remnants of a gold wash as well. It's particularly evident under the crossguard. This may be the way the lacquer aged, but my guy says that's the way this was made. Really neat to see. Scabbard screws are all present. There is minor wear on the grip but no abuse. A very interesting dagger. Overall Exc+/Exc++
$895
LU1-47 Transitional Eickhorn 1st Model Luft
This one has a Exc++ inspection marked blade. There are just a few nicks in the blade edge that hold this back but the tip is perfect, no sharpening or plating loss. The maker mark is the etched Eickhorn mark used through the majority of the period. It is seated through a leather washer into the nickel crossguard. The hilt fittings are all early silver washed with inserted brass swas's. The grip is wrapped with triple brass 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 I keep looking at and can't decide if it's original or redone at some point. I'm going to err on the safe side and call this releathered and a super job was done. All screws are all present. There is minor wear on the grip but no abuse. Complete with well worn portepee. A good example. Overall Exc++
$995
LU1-48 Early Eickhorn 1st Luft
Nice clean all early 1st lufts have all but dried up. This one has an easily Exc++/NM blade with nice plating. There's some light runner marks. The reverse is correctly maker etched with the small double oval squirrel maker mark which matches the period of manufacture of this dagger. No sharpening. 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 matching patina. The grip is triple wire wrapped with brass factory wire. Nickel chain has 14 lower and 9 upper ringlets terminating at a solid nickel clip. The scabbard is steel based with the nickel fittings secured with side screws. Look at the center fitting see those 2 wee holes to the reverse? Evidence of how early this dagger is, it's been predrilled for a staple. This dagger would have been one of the 1st true 1st lufts off the line and they used up the transitional DLV fittings Really neat. The leather is complete with small marks and the odd scuff resulting from honest wear. There is minor matching wear everywhere but no abuse. Overall Exc++
$1495
LU1-50 Restored Höller 1st Model Luft
This I saved from being parted out. I decided to put in the time and expense of having it professionally restored. This is a later 1st Luft by Holler. This one has a Exc++ blade. The reverse is correctly maker etched. No sharpening just a bit of age grey. The blade is seated through a pebbled blue leather washer into the crossguard. The hilt fittings are all zinc based and have all been replated to include the swas's. The grip is triple wire wrapped with the factory wire the center being the springy type. Aluminum chain has 9 lower and 6 upper ringlets terminating at an OLC marked clip. There are no dents to the scabbard body or the replated fittings and all the leather has been redone. Scabbard screws are all present. Given some time this will all begin to patina and the restoration will be come less evident. An opportunity for someone to get into a nice 1st luft at a fraction of what you would expect to pay. Overall Exc++
$750
LU1-51 Personalized Herder 1st Model Luft
This one has a Exc++/NM Richard Herder marked blade. The blade is clean with no problems. It is seated through a leather washer into a mid-period crossguard. The hilt fittings are all silver washed with gilt remaining to the swas's. The grip is wrapped with springy type aluminium wire. Aluminum chain has 8 lower and 6 upper ringlets terminating at a OLC marked clip. The reverse of the upper fitting is Jeweller inscribed with "Uffz. Destabelle.". There are no dents to the scabbard body but the lower fitting has suffered a hit and what looks like a rub just up from the drag. The scabbard leather looks to be redone at some point. All screws are all present. There is minor wear on the grip but no abuse. Complete with well worn portepee. A good example. Overall Exc++
$1195
LU-218 Hörster 2nd Luft
A beauty blade here certainly rating NM! Really no problems here.
Deep jet black etched maker mark. If you look hard enough you will find
the odd scuff or hint of age but it's about as good as it gets. The blade has
a ton of crossgrain, the tip is perfect. The original buffer is intact.
All the components appear to be of Weyersberg manufacture. Which is quite
of as Hörster chose to buy their components in rather than manufacture
themselves, see Wittmann pg 213. This example is similar to the one
pictured to the lower right. All the fittings are in fine shape and show even
patina. Scabbard is a
mid-period steel example with a "gun blue" finish. It does show the lightest of wear but no oxidation or
rust. It is completely damage free. Scabbard has two
side screws retaining the throat/runner assembly. The celluloid over
plaster grip
again is damage free sporting a springy wire wrap. NM
$750
LU-217 Personalized 2nd Luft
This is an early high quality example. It was made by Paul
Weyersberg using all his components from head to tail. It features a nice
quality plated blade that is unmarked. Likely Weyersberg sold this through
a uniform shop. It has a few odd scuff but still certainly rates Exc++. All the hilt
fittings are aluminum based. The pommel
shows factory hand work to the edges. Crossguard is textbook example
with what looks like a Jeweller engraved name to the reverse, "Foerster". The grip is a warm orange trylon. It is damage-free. Original wire wrap is intact. Scabbard is a
nice example that is damage free. The throat is secured with a
single reverse screw. Finishing this is a nice portepee that has a few frays but
still very serviceable. The whole thing has a nice even patina to it. Overall Exc+
$795
LU-216 Spitzer 2nd Luft
Here's a bargain 2nd Luft. direct from the Vets family. Blade
shows age grey and the very end has been slightly retipped. Rates VG. All the hilt fittings are aluminum based with
darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel features good detail. Crossguard
perfectly matches the pommel in color and patina. The grip is a celluloid
over wood example with original heavy brass wire wrap. It is chip-free
and there is a microscopic hairline running 2 mm down from the pommel. Undented scabbard
shows age and oxidation matching the rest of the dagger. Two screws retain the scabbard throat. for
those of you who want textbook this one is similar to the one Witty shows
of pg 222-223 of his Luft. reference. Overall Exc
$425 Layaway(ra)
LU-213 Eickhorn 2nd Luft
This piece features a good blade that is marked with the
mid-period Eickhorn maker
mark. It's been cleaned over time and has a fit of a shine to it, I say
that and crossgrain is still evident. The blade has some shadows and smudges
and is still an easy Exc+. All the hilt
fittings are aluminum based with darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel
shows factory hand work to the edges. Crossguard is textbook example
again with burnish intact. The grip is a warm orange trylon. It is damage-free. Original wire wrap is intact. Scabbard is a
nice example that has a wee hit to the leading edge 3" up from the bottom.
The bands are aluminium. The throat is secured with a
single screw. Finishing this is a nice portepee that has a few frays but
still very serviceable. The whole thing has a nice even patina to it. Overall Exc+
$730
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-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++
$675
LU-159 Unmarked 2nd
Luft
A real nice 2nd Luft that won't clean you out. Blade is in fine
shape with no damage, and all the crossgrain is present. This blade
is conservatively NM. All the hilt fittings are aluminum based with
darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel features good detail with
hand
work to the edges. Crossguard is textbook example. The grip is a celluloid
over wood example with original heavy brass wire wrap. It is chip and
crack free. Undented scabbard has excellent airplane grey plating. A
single headless screw retains the scabbard throat. Nice example that is
finished with an original portepee in Exc++ condition. Overall Exc++
$655
LU-221 Pack 2nd Luft
This piece features a good blade that is marked with the
large Waffen Pack maker
mark. It has a clean quality plated blade. It's an easy NM. All the hilt
fittings are aluminum based with darkening to the backgrounds. The grip is a warm
yellow trylon. It is damage-free. Original thin double
twist wire wrap is intact. Scabbard is a
nice example that is dent free.
The bands are aluminium. The throat is secured with two side screws. The
whole thing has a nice even patina to it. Overall Exc++/NM
$750
LU-212 Asso 2nd Model Luft
Nice clean example. Blade is a Exc++ example having just a ever so slightly dulled tip. It is marked with the Asso hobby horses mark to reverse. The blade is seated through it's original leather washer into a nice generic style crossguard. All the aluminum fittings are in fine shape with the backgrounds left unburnished. They match nicely in color and finish. Scabbard is a mid-period steel example with a plated finish. Throat is retained by a headless screw. The bands match the hilt. Original celluloid over plaster grip is a nice crack and chip-free example with original brass wire wrap. Nicely finishing this dagger is a good original portepee. A good example. Exc++
$695
LU-186 Early Alcoso 2nd Model
Purchased from an old collection. Blade is an easy Exc++ polished example with the 1st style Alcoso maker mark. The blade is a clean example. There are some witness marks where the runners have rested for the past 70 years and a tiny nick on one side. The blade is perfectly seated through it's original brown leather washer into a textbook thin quillion Alcoso crossguard with nice black factory burnish. The pommel too is textbook. All the plated fittings are in fine shape. Scabbard is a mid-period steel example with a "gun blue" finish and hand finished aluminum bands. It does show the lightest of wear but no oxidation or rust. It is dent and crack free. See how the scabbard has a rounded look? Alcoso were the only guys who did this, once you handle one you can spot 'em a mile away. Scabbard has two side screws retaining the throat/runner assembly. The orange trylon grip has a chip to the upper reverse and a couple cracks. These are small and you would not see them except I'm anal and have blown them up for you. The fine double twist brass wire wrap is intact. Finishing this example is it's own portepee that it was returned with, it shows honest wear and frays. Exc+
$525
LU-215 Unmarked 2nd Luft
This piece features a good bright blade that is unmarked. No
excuses required it's NM. All the hilt
fittings are aluminum based with darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel
has exacellent original gilt, near impossible to find anymore. The grip is a
lemon yellow trylon. It is damage-free. Original springy
type wire wrap is intact. Scabbard is a
nice example that has a wee bit of oxidizing to the sides.
The bands are aluminium. The throat is secured with a
single side screw. Overall Exc++
$750
LU-220 Hörster 2nd Luft
A good example of a reasonably
priced 2nd Luft.
Blade has been cleaned with scratches running longitudinally down the
blade. Nice dark maker mark. This blade
is conservatively Exc+. All the hilt fittings are aluminium based
with some darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel features good detail with
hand enhances edges.
Handle is a chip and crack-free trylon and
finished with a double twisted brass wire. Scabbard is a
plated dent free example with two side screws. There is some evidence of
where the plating peeled off from the sides but not too bad.
Exc+
$625 HOLD(den)
LU-214 F.Herder 2nd Luft
A good example of a mid period 2nd Luft.
Blade just doesn't get any better rating NM, no excuses here. Nice dark maker mark. All the hilt fittings are aluminium based
with some darkening to the backgrounds. The pommel features good detail.
Handle is a chip and crack-free celluloid over plaster with a double twisted brass wire.
Airplane grey plated scabbard is a dent free example with two side screws.
A nice dagger. NM
$695
DLV
DLV-37 Killer Heibig DLV
Very tough to find a nice
early DLV, here's the best one I've owned. Polished blade is certainly
Mint- with just the lightest runner marks. The etched Heilbig mark
is correctly etched, sloppy I know and that exactly how all the Heibig
marks appear. The hilt fittings are solid nickel with a silver wash
and lacquer that
remains to the cervices and ferrules. The crossguard is caster stamped "K" to
the end of the quillion and 100% of the enamel is intact to the
swas's. The original leather is in good shape showing minor wear
and 100% coverage. The grip and scabbard are all matching in
color and texture, yes even on the intact buffer. The undented
scabbard features a near perfect ball with a pin prink mark, not
dent, to the side, (and yes I'm being very anal). All screws intact and
unturned. The throat is
correctly marked with the early pre-NSFK symbol. Finally the original hanger is intact with
a solid nickel clip. Guys search all day for
daggers like this. Textbook for the very fussy guy! Overall Mint-
$2295
DLV-36 Eickhorn DLV
Very tough to find a nice DLV, here's
a decent example at a very reasonable price. Polished blade is Exc+ with just the mildest light
grey in a couple areas. The early double oval maker mark
is correctly etched. The buffer pad is lost to time. The hilt fittings are solid nickel with a silver wash
and lacquer some of which
remains to the cervices. 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 original leather is in good shape showing honest wear
and 100% coverage. The grip and scabbard are all matching in
grain and texture. The
scabbard ball is crushed and all screws intact. There is a small
impression to the lower obverse mid section of the scabbard body. It's
hard to see and you will be able to find it with your fingers, it's no big
deal but want you to know. The throat is
correctly marked with the winged propeller with a superimposed swas.
This is an important detail as this symbol was replaced in early 1937 when
the NSFK assimilated the DLV. So why's it important? cause the early
Eickhorn maker mark is exactly what one would expect to see with this
scabbard. Yes, I'm anal about this stuff, only so you don't have to be. ☺ Finally the original hanger is intact with
a solid nickel clip and matching riveted oval nickel medallions.
Someone along the way applied blue polish to the hanger leather matching
the color to the rest of the leather. Well meaning, but in practise these
were never blue rather always brown or dark brown black. Could have been
done in the period but more likely done by a well meaning collector. Again
the devil's in the details. Exc+
$1295
DLV-38 Lacquered Paul Weyersberg DLV
Rare to find these with factory lacquer still intact. Polished blade is
Exc++ with runner marks and some fine scratches where previous owner tried
to clean up some light dots of age to a small section on reverse. Other
than that perfect crossgrain and tip. The etched
Weyersberg mark
is correctly etched. The hilt fittings are solid nickel with a silver wash
and lacquer that
remains to the cervices and ferrules. The crossguard is caster stamped "K" to
the end of the quillion and 100% of the enamel is intact to the
swas's. The original leather is in good shape showing minor wear
and 100% coverage. The grip and scabbard are all matching in
color and texture, yes even on the intact buffer. The undented
scabbard features a perfect ball. All screws intact. The throat is
correctly marked with the early pre-NSFK symbol. Finally the original hanger is intact with
a solid nickel clip to include lacquer there too. Exc++
$2195
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
LU-211 Alcoso Survival Machete
A textbook piece here is likely
one of the rarest Luftwaffe production pieces issued and missing from all
but the most advanced collections.
Blade has great grain, I'd call it crossgrain but it runs lengthwise down
the blade not across the blade like a dress dagger. It has just the most
minor of age. It is correctly marked with the Alcoso maker mark. As a
bonus is is Luftwaffe issue stamped. This blade
is NM. All the hilt fittings are brass based surrounding 2 damage
free red hardwood grip plates with eight grooves cut in the sides to
improve grip. Scabbard is a
anodized example with fine finish. I would say 98% of the factory finish
is intact. The lower reverse has a dent. This is your chance to complete a
Luftwaffe grouping.
Exc++
$2295