Presentation - 1st Model RLB Leader Dagger by Witte

German WWII > Edged Weapons > RLB Daggers > RLB 1st Model Leader Daggers

A Presentation Artificial Damascus M36 - 1.Modell Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) Dolch für einen Führer oder General by Ernst Erich Witte of Solingen. This is the second time I’ve owned this as I was fortunate enough to purchase it back from the collector I sold it to. Remember there is only a limited avenue for me to purchase this stuff so I am always happy to get my own stuff back. Here is the original description: “Wow Now here is something very special. I bought this months ago, it was in rough shape but I knew it was worth the effort and expense to have it professionally restored. This was walked into my pickers Pawn shop. I purchased it from him so it's never been in a collection. Witte we know specialized in RLB's as well they accepted orders for some presentation daggers. Check out Whitty's SS reference. This is an excellent dagger that I'm proud to bring to the collector market. Blade is etched in artificial Damascus. Best of all the RLB 1st version insignia is etched right into the blade below the named recipient which I cannot make out completely but guess it's "Erich Mosse". Now on purchase the tip was broke in this so I had it replaced and re-etched. You would be hard pressed to find this. A thin black pebbled buffer pad is intact. The Early nickel fitting are all matching in patina. As the leather was replaced and the pinned sunburst 1st model RLB insignia re attached. The silver wash that remains is better than 80% with wear to the high areas. Like 95% of these first model insignia's there is some enamel loss to the letters. This enamel is so thin it just did not stand up. Scabbard is an undented example. The scabbard fittings have nice matching patina. There is the slightest bump to the bottom fitting. All the screws are intact. It all fits fine and comes with factory issued hanger. Ok, as always when I do any restoration work I share it. This has replaced leather and a fixed tip. If you can live with that you have yourself a unique one of a kind RLB.”