Original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger by E. & F. Hörster with Scabbard & Hanger Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made by the well- known firm of E. & F. Hörster, Waffenfabrik (weapons factory). Unlike most that we see, the celluloid covered grip of this dagger is still the original ivory white color. Most of these fade to amber or orange over the years as the celluloid deteriorates. It has a nice tapered shape, and is tightly wrapped with twisted wires. It does show some staining in the recessed areas, and there also is a crack running all the way through it, so it probably had the hilt over tightened at some point.

The hilt mounts are in similar condition with a lovely patina of age. The pommel is very good and still shows most of the original detail. The “mobile” swass on both sides are clear and the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced. The pommel appears to be solid aluminum, with a nice darkened finish in the recessed areas.

The crossguard is also made of Aluminum, which was an “Air Age” material, which was used to make most airplanes. It was considered fitting and desirable for the eagle-shaped guard to be made of this material. The front side is an eagle with a breast and talon area that is vaulted out much more so than the crossguards seen on other types of daggers. The guard shows little wear and has great feathering on the eagle. The bird, of course, flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling, which is still clear. The ferrule looks to be plated steel, which now has lost most of the plating and shows an oxidized patina.

The blade is in very good condition, and is still mostly bright throughout, showing some of the original factory final grind cross grain. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. We can see however that the blade had suffered some light oxidation and staining in the past, which was cleaned away using some abrasive material, which unfortunately has left marks on the surface, and made the cross grain faint. This has also made the maker marking a bit faint, as darkening in the etching is quite delicate. The tip is still intact, with no bending, though there is some past peppering. There also is the usual runner wear on the blade surface, however this is present on just about every dagger out there. The original leather blade buffer is still present in the recess on the guard.

The reverse ricasso of this dagger is etched by maker E. & F. HÖRSTER / SOLINGEN in an oval “lozenge” around the company’s trademark downward pointing sword piercing interlocking HHS initials. E. & F. Hörster & Co Gmbh, Waffenfabrik (weapons factory), is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons. The firm lasted long after WWII, finally being declared insolvent in 1996. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

This steel scabbard is a fine, straight example, and looks to be made of zinc plated steel, which originally had a blue oxide top coating. The plating is probably retained at about 50%, showing wear through in many areas. The plating has lost the oxide top coat due to cleaning and wear, and the areas where it is worn through completely now have a dark steel oxidized patina. The bands are zinc alloy, and are well defined and have outstanding hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. They do show light wear, as the softer alloy was more easily worn away. The throat is retained by two dome head screws on the narrow sides of the scabbard.

Attached to the scabbard is a good service used condition belt hanger, with all spring clips fully functional. The scabbard end clips are the more complex and desirable sliding type. The buckles and keepers are embossed with the same oak and acorn motif seen throughout the dagger, and are made from zinc alloy. The hardware is marked D.R.G.M., indicating that these were registered in the German trademark office. The end clip is also marked on the back with RZM and maker code U.E. 10.. “U.E” indicates Uniformeffekten Erlaubnißschein, (Uniform Accessories Licence), and the manufacturer’s numerical code, “10”. It appears the combined RZM/U.E., markings were utilized circa May 1933 to March 1935. These were used when the RZM was still being officially organized. There is unfortunately no listing of the early RZM makers.

Condition is good, but definitely shows signs of long use. The straps are worn on the sides with some fraying, with the bullion stripes still well retained. The velvet plush material on the back also shows some wear, and overall the straps definitely look well used. The hardware has lost the original plating, and now is all a dull gray color from the oxidized zinc.

This is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with scabbard and belt hanger that saw a lot of use during the war. Made by a desirable maker and offered in very good condition, this dagger is ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10″
Overall length: 15 1/8”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”