Original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger by Rare Maker Artur Schüttelhöfer & Co. with Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a wartime production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger, complete with its original scabbard. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made the rare maker Artur Schüttelhöfer & Co., Stahlwarenfabrik of Solingen. Unlike almost all that we see, the celluloid grip of this dagger is still the original ivory white color, which is very rare to see! Most fade to yellow and orange over the years due to the instability of the material. It has a nice slightly tapered shape, and is bound with bullion wrapped twisted wires. There is a bit of light staining, but no cracks, chips, or other issues.

The hilt mounts are in very good condition, and look to be plated aluminum, which was then oxidized, giving them a fantastic “antiqued” look. The plating on the pommel is well retained, with a dark color in the recesses while the raised areas are bright, and all of the details are still present. The “mobile” swas (hook crosses) on both sides are clear, and the oak leaves around them are raised out and heavily hand enhanced.

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. There is some great darkening present in the recesses of the engraved / cast designs. 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. This guard shows little wear and has great feathering on the eagle. The bird, of course, flies to the left and grasps a mobile swas (hook cross) in his talons. The reverse panel is decorated with small pebbling. The ferrule looks to be plated steel, and it is still in very good condition, with a lovely patina.

The blade on this example is not nickel plated, which is common for the 2nd model dagger blades. It is in good condition, but looks to have been cleaned / polished several times during its service life, which unfortunately has completely removed the original factory final polish grind cross grain. It also has made any markings quite faint.

The reverse of the blade is faintly marked with the rectangular “cartouche” marking of Artur Schüttelhöfer & Co., which encompasses the address, brand name, and even the “Two Hobby Horses in Saltire” trademark:

A. SCHÜTTELHÖFER & Co.
(Trademark)
ASSO
SOLINGEN-WALD

Artur Schüttelhöfer & Co. Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware factory) was based in the Wald neighborhood of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. This company was founded in 1920, and assembled and finished daggers for political organizations and officers during the Third Reich period, per J. Anthony Carter’s excellent book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. They manufactured SA, NSKK, and SS daggers, among other items. The “rectangular” trademark logo was only seen on a very few SS daggers, in addition to a few Army Officer’s and 2nd Model Luftwaffe Officer’s daggers. The original leather blade buffer is in place within the deep recesses of the guard, though it is a bit degraded.

This scabbard is a fine, straight example, having much of the plated finish retained, showing some light patination where it is worn away. The steel shell shows no denting, and the pebbled panels and oak leaves and acorns near the bottom are still crisp. The bands are zinc alloy, and are well defined and have outstanding hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle, with some wear. There is very little wear around the hanger rings, and the throat is the narrow style, retained by screws on the narrow sides of the scabbard, both of which are missing.

Overall this is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger by a rare maker, complete with scabbard and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10″
Overall length: 15 1/2”
Crossguard: 3 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/4”