Original German WWII Early 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger by Max Weyersberg with Hanger – WMW Waffen Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a an excellent condition 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger made in in the late 1930s, made by the Solingen-based firm of Max Weyersberg, Waffenfabrik. It has silver-plated mounts throughout, with the plating mostly intact with lovely patination. The sunwheel medallion is the type that is inserted, and was originally left bare brass, which now has a lovely dark oxidized color now. The grip is a carved wood base covered in blue Moroccan leather, which is still in great shape, with only a bit of wear. The original triple wire wrapping, with the center pair twisted, is still fully intact. The guard is the standard down swept “wing” type, with good detailing remaining, and good “sunwheel” inlaid Swass. This is definitely one of the better examples that we have seen.

The blade of this piece is a high quality nickel-plated example, and is in very good condition, with only a few small edge dents, and runner wear from being removed from the scabbard. The large blue Moroccan leather blade washer is still intact and in place in the cross guard. The reverse ricasso is maker marked:

WMW

WAFFEN

Max Weyersberg, Waffenfabrik was located at Katternbergerstrasse 176 in Solingen Germany, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. The firm was founded in 1920, and registered with authorities in 1933 as a maker of cutlery, hunting/sporting knives, and edged weapons. WMW WAFFEN was their main trade name, and was originally pierced with a sword. However later in the period the WMW / WAFFEN marking with the enlarged “M” was used.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout with no dents. The Moroccan leather covering the scabbard nicely matches the grip and is in very good condition, with just a small patch having been scuffed off.  This scabbard has steel mount brackets, however almost all of the original silver plate is intact over the steel base and is nicely patinated. These mounts are retained by headless flush mounted side screws.

The attached aluminum chain has six ringlets making up the upper chain and nine 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 Geschutzt (Protected By Law), indicating that the clip was a trademarked design.

An excellent example of the classic 1st model Luftwaffe dagger, ready to display.