2nd Model Luft Officer by Alcoso – D502

Unlike many Army officer daggers in which the maker can be a bit more easily identified just by the type of hardware that they are compose of, it’s a bit more difficult to name the manufacture of a 2nd model Luft in the same way. Here is one that I’ll show you how to identify the maker, just from one noticeable characteristic.

The off white grip on this Alcoso is in decent condition, with all the Torlon intact, and just some light surface scratches on the reverse. It’s decorative wire has turned black with age, just like the rest of the fittings on this edged weapon. There is one rung in which the wire has lifted just a tad, but nothing is separated nor come undone. As for the crossguard, ferrule, and pommel, all  of these components are almost completely black. Talk about an untouched dagger, if I ever saw one! This hilt is nice an solid all the way through, with all the components firm in place.

Now the scabbard it the clue that I was referring to in regards to ID’ing the maker. While ever other maker of the 35 some which manufactured these 2nd model Lufts had fairly flat scabbards, those produced by the Alcoso firm have a convex shape to them. This is very apparent when you have one of these shell in hand, and are comparing it to another 2nd model scabbard. Next time you are at a show look for that scabbard characteristic in an Alcoso Luft, as it is easy to spot once you become familiar with it. Anyway, this scabbard is in decent condition being fairly straight, with just about a 1 degree bow to it. You can’t see it in the photos, and it is barely noticeable in hand.  As shown, this shell is as totally black as the crossguard, displaying 75 years of age over it’s surface. Both lighter aluminum bands are in place, and hold the hanger rings properly. Finally, 2 un-turned flat head screws hold the throat in firmly in place. What a cool contrast this dark scabbard and hilt components, have compared to the light grip.

The blade…it’s beautiful! It’s straight, void of any sharpening or edged ticks, and it has a fantastic crossgrain running down both sides. A couple very minor specks of age is all that it honestly shows, which are barely worth mentioning. As this blade has not been clean and remains like the rest of this edged weapon, the imperfections could possibly be lightly polish out. But truthfully this blade does not need to be cleaned, as the condition is better than you see here in the photos. Although this is probably a war time produced dagger, the trademark is the 3rd of 5 which this company utilized. Completing this blade is the leather washer which is in place, and tucked out of sight up under the crossguard. A nice blade on this attractive 2nd Model Luft.

A beautiful untouched Alcoso Luftwaffe Officer’s Dagger    SOLD