Original German WWII 1st Model Aluminum Fitted Luftwaffe Dagger by Carl Julius Krebs with Belt Hanger Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a very nice 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger, made by the desirable maker Carl Julius Krebs, Kronenkrebs-Stahlwarenfabrik, of Solingen, Germany. The matte Aluminum fittings indicate that it was made sometime after 1938. Previous to this, the mounts had been of alloy brass or nickel, but Aluminum was an “Air Age” material, which was used to make most airplanes. It was considered fitting and desirable for the mounts to be made of this, and the later 2nd model continued to use aluminum as well.

The aluminum mounts defy all age and remain nice and mostly bright, with a fine matte finish. The pommel has almost all of the original gilding intact on the “Broken Sun Cross” swas medallions, and the same is true on the cross guard. The guard is the standard down swept “wing” type, with good detailing. The rim of the pommel shows some small dents but nothing major. The grip is a carved wood base covered in blue Moroccan leather, with just a few spots of finish wear. It is wrapped with twisted wires wrapped with bullion, for a very pleasing look.

The 12 1/4 inch blade of this piece is a high quality nickel-plated example, in excellent condition. There is the expected runner wear, but the plating appears fully intact, with no edge chips, major dents, or bending to the tip. The original blue Moroccan leather blade buffer is in place on top of the guard.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the logo of Carl Julius Krebs, Kronenkrebs-Stahlwarenfabrik, an oval trademark logo with a CROWN over K, surrounded by CARL JUL. KREBS / SOLINGEN. This version of the oval trademark has the internal oval, and was seen on early war edged weapons such as Luftwaffe officer’s daggers and swords, per J Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. This maker was founded in 1866, and formally registered with Solingen authorities in 1899. They continued trading long after WWII.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout with no major dents. The Moroccan leather covering the scabbard nicely matches the grip and is in very good condition. There are some areas where the leather finish has worn, but that is expected on a scabbard of this age. Also the lower seam has started to come unglued a bit. The mounts on this scabbard are all matte aluminum, and are still very attractive and only have a bit of minor denting and scratching. These mounts are retained by headless flush mounted side screws, and are a little loose, just needs to be tightened if you wish.

The attached aluminum chain has six ringlets making up the upper chain and ten on the lower. These two chains are attached to an aluminum snap clip, which is marked on the back with the OLC in a diamond trademark of Overhoff & Cie. of Lüdenscheid, who produced numerous clothing accessories. It is also marked GES. / GESCHÜTZT, for Gesetzlich Geschützt (Protected By Law), indicating that the clip was a trademarked design.

A very nice example of the classic 1st model Luftwaffe dagger by a very desirable maker, ready to display!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 12 1/4″
Overall length: 18 1/8″
Crossguard: 4 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 13 13/8”