1st Model Luftwaffe Officer’s Dagger by Malsch – D841

First Model Luft daggers went through a transformation from their inception in 1934, on forward. Initially comprised of all nickel components then later pot metal, and finally aluminum is what collectors see when it comes  to these edged weapons with a Medieval look to them. Here is a desirable early introductory example in this offering.

A wonderful Moroccan blue dyed leather over wood core grip, begins the hilt assembly of this Luftwaffe flyers dolch. On any of these 3^rd Reich dagger which incorporated a leather covering to either the grip or the scabbard, it is always a challenge due to dry rotting over nearly 90 years. But not here. As the covering to this handle has endured the test of time in fine order. Tightly wrapped around the circumference is a double strand of decorative wire, all nicely in place and snug to the leather. Both made from heavy nickel silver, the down swept crossguard as well as the pommel are black as all get out. As nothing has been cleaned nor polished on this dagger since being returned home as a war souvenir. Finally, the 4 brass swastika inlaid discs remain intact and project excellent detail to the hooked cross canted design.

Accompanied this dagger is an excellent scabbard, to say the least. It remains straight, void of any bends or creases, covered with matching leather to that which is shown on the grip. It has one nick to the leather near the top obverse edge, and that’s about it. The rest of the grain remains in beautiful shape overall. Like the hilt components, all 3 shell fittings are dark with a muted patina, and remain in place as well as tight to the shell. There is one upper flat head screw missing from that fitting, while all the others are intact. That shouldn’t be all that difficult to locate.  All connectors and links to the nickel chain hanger are intact and attached to the upper / middle scabbard fittings, as well as the snap clip. As shown, the small v spring to the unmarked clip is gone to time.

We finish up with the blade, and it’s a beauty! Full length, straight, it remains with an excellent plated surface finish on both the obverse as well as the reverse. Though it has not been sharpened, there are a couple of extremely minor cutting edge ticks barely worth mentioning. So small that my camera wouldn’t even pick them up in the photos. And the protector of this beautiful blade which is always nice to see, is the blue / gray washer present and up against the butt plate. Lastly, a trademark not all that often encountered on these early 1^st models is the lightly stamped logo of the David Malsch edged weapon firm. It is seen just above the Waffenamt acceptance eagle.

This is a nice early 1^st Model, in it’s entirely.     SOLD