German 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger -
The second pattern Luftwaffe dagger was introduced in 1937. Various officer ranks wore the dagger and there was no
visible difference between them.
The biggest changes between the first model and the second model were the pommel and the hand guard. A detailed account
of the construction of the dagger follows:
The blade was of type stiletto with the main features being a double edge and a flat plain in its center. The brand of
the manufacturer would normally be placed on the blade. The example shown in this page has a manufacturer's marking.
The grip was manufactured from celluloid and consisted of a grooved spiral design. A wire composed of three strands was
placed in the groove. The wire was aluminum and silver in appearance. The grip was available in white, yellow or orange.
If the buyer had the necessary finances, it was possible to purchase ivory grips. The various types of grips available
were strictly a matter of purchaser preference and not a symbol of rank or status within the Luftwaffe. This dagger was
produced by a very large number of manufacturers.
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The dagger hanger is made of cloth with very intricate patterns. Two rectangular metal
buckles are use to adjust the length of each side of the hanger. The buckles are
adorned with a leafy pattern. Dark blue grommets are placed along the length of the
hanger. They are used to hold in place each side.
A metal clip is found at the end of the hanger. The back is marked with the letters
DRGM.
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This is an identification guide for the 2nd model Luftwaffe dagger employed by the
German air force during World War Two. A price guide is also provided to illustrate
the worth of the dagger in the collector's market.
This information is brought to you courtesy of MilitaryItems.com ,
The source for military antiques and collectibles in the web. With an 1,100 square foot
facility located in Arizona, USA and a website with over 3,000 items for sale.
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The handguard has a large flying eagle in the front. It is clutching a swastika with
both claws. The back is pebbled. The top of the handguard has a very pronounced leafing
pattern which matches the pattern found on the pommel.
The front and back of the scabbard are heavily pebbled. The sides are smooth.
Two bands attached to the body of the scabbard secure a ring each. This is where
the hanger attaches.
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The blade bears the manufacturer's logo near its base. It consists of a knight looking
to the left. The letters WKC are placed just below the logo. The name of the town
"Solingen" is placed just below the initials.
The swastika found in the pommel retains most of the original guilding. This characteristic
is hard to find. Most of the finish is usually stripped due to normal wear.
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This edge weapon is currently being
reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be
able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The
collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing
of edge weapons. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity
of the item.
If you have an interest is seeing other edge weapons of the Third Reich, you can do so by going to our
WWII German Edge Weapons identification guide. Where
we cover blades from the Heer (Army), Navy (Kriegsmarine), Air Force (Luftwaffe) and other organizations.
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