Rare 55cm DLV

German WWII > Edged Weapons > Luftwaffe, DLV & NSFK Daggers > DLV/NSFK Daggers

Ok, this is one for the advanced collector! It is a great example that hardly ever comes to market. Most collectors don't even know what they are looking at! For those of you who this is a great opportunity to pick up a rare piece missing from most collections. These are rare, and were only produced for a few short months before production switched to the pure 1st model luft. Whittmann speaks to this dagger specifically in chapter 1 of his Luftwaffe reference. Yes it looks a lot like a 1st model luft. but when you get into the details it's completely different. The unmarked blade on this one looks different from the 1st model luft as it has a 1.5" riccasso. It has a nice finish. he blade rates Exc+. It shows period wear and I suspect it has been cut-down like most were in the period to conform to the size of the 1st model Luft., (see pg 12) for those of you who like to check me against the books. The leather buffer pad remains intact. The cardboard based leather covered scabbard looks excellent not all misaligned like so many! It is thinner and more elegant that it's 1st model later cousin. The leather coverage is better than 99%. It only has a few pressure marks. The scalloped solid nickel scabbard fittings look great and have nicely toned with age matching the hilt fittings in color and wear. The fittings are secured with staples. It is textbook and exactly what one expects on these things. The solid nickel chain has 14 lower ringlets and 9 upper ringlets hung from "S" connectors that end at a well working solid nickle clip! The early solid nickel crossguard looks great with the separately inserted brass swastikas. The pommel is the typical DLV style with the early inserted brass. Just look at these things, the nickle was meticulously cut out to accept the brass swas. Wow! imagine the work that went to those using 1930's technology! This dagger used two ferules, the 2nd being to the pommel. Neat! The wood based, leather covered grip looks great. it retains 99% coverage and has the same tone and color as the scabbard. The chape is the correct "bubblebee" shape. The triple twisted bras wire wrap remains tightly secured. BTW, go back and look at the wire. Notice anything strange... The wire is a single start not double start like the 1st model luft. A great piece that is a tough find!