2nd Model RLB Officer’s Dagger by Witte – D1097
In this listing we have an early second model Air Raid Protection officer’s dagger equip with nickel silver fitting throughout. The wood covered grip exhibits beautiful dark blue colored Moroccan leather in excellent condition. With the exception of a couple minor pressure marks, the grain has held up exceptionally well on this handle. Where many times these bulging convex grip emblems with exhibit hits and damage to the enameled swastika, the one on this handle has held up quite nicely over time. As mentioned, all of the metal fittings on this dagger are nickel silver. You can see that beautiful dark patina which has settled over the art-deco eagle crossguard, and as well as on the unique oval shaped pommel. There is just a speck of play in the crossguard due to the drying of the wood handle inserted in the ferrule section of this hilt. It honestly is not all that much to speak of to tell you the truth. Afterall, we don’t use these things, but they are more for display and their artistic appeal. And this one certainly has that going for it.
A fine looking scabbard accompanies this 2nd Model RLB dagger. It remains straight, void of any bends, creases, splits, or hits. As with the grip, the beautiful dark blue leather has held up very nice on this shell, being void of any major challenges to the grain. All 3 fittings are securely in place, and have turned black as all get out. As you can see, nothing has been cleaned nor touched on this entire edged weapon since being returned home as a souvenir from WWII.
And finally the blade. It is full length, straight, void of any sharpening, tipping, or cutting edge chips. Man is it ever drawn to an extremely sharp point, as you can’t even inspect this dagger while balancing it with one hand on the grip, and a index finger on the tip! As shown, there is some spotting and surface carbon imperfections on both obverse and reverse. That aside for such a “green” untouched Nazi era dagger it’s not all that terrible. On the reverse is logo of one of the few and certainly a premier manufacture of these RLB daggers, Ernst Witte.
A good looking RLB, especially for the purist collector. $2695.00