Original German WWII Early 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger by SMF with Hanger and Unit Marking Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a very nice 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger made in in the late 1930s. It has plated mounts throughout all being nickel plated with blue oxide. The plating has worn in may places, showing the brass alloy base metal and flash coating. The rim of the pommel shows some usage with some small denting on the end. The sunwheel medallion is the type that is inserted, and was originally left bare brass before the blue plating which has now worn off. The grip is a carved wood base covered in blue Moroccan leather, though the leather is worn, so it is brown in places. It is normally triple wrapped with silver wire, the center example being twisted, however one of the outer wires has been removed.

The guard is the standard down swept “wing” type, with good detailing remaining, and good “sunwheel” inlaid Swass. There is also a unit marking on the blade side of the guard: Fea. 17. Q.. It is carved right into the brass alloy of the guard, and appears expertly done. We unfortunately have not been able to locate which unit this is however, making this a great research opportunity.

The blade of this piece is a high quality nickel-plated example, and is in very good condition, with only a few small specs missing from the plating, and runner wear from being removed from the scabbard. This example was produced by Solinger Metalwaren-Fabrik Stöcker & Co. GmbH, also known as SMF, who were one of the major producers of this knife during WWII. Their “Seated King” over SMF / SOLINGEN trademark is seen on the reverse base of the blade. This is a well-known maker from the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany. Underneath the logo is a Weimar Eagle over 8, the standard Luftwaffe proof marking.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout with no dents. The Moroccan leather covering the scabbard nicely matches the grip and is in good shape, though there is leather missing on the seam side “top” of the scabbard.  This scabbard has steel mount brackets, however a good amount of the original nickel 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 nine ringlets making up the upper chain and fourteen on the lower. These two chains are attached to an aluminum snap clip, with worn plating like the rest of the fittings.

A very nice example of the classic 1st model Luftwaffe dagger, ready to display.