Original German WWII 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger by Tigerwerk Lauterjung & Co. with Scabbard & Portepee Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of mid-war production 2nd Model Luftwaffe dagger. It is a fine Solingen-Produced example made by the well-known firm Tigerwerk Lauterjung & Co.. The celluloid grip of this dagger is a great example, and still retains the original ivory color well. Most of these fade to orange or darker due to light exposure, which makes this a rare treat! It does show some light staining and scratches, but still looks great! The grip has a nice tapered shape, and is bound with bullion covered twisted wires, which show some oxidation and plating loss on the copper bullion.

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, which has antiquing in the recessed areas of the design and looks great. Tied around the end of the grip near the pommel is an original portepee, which is in very good condition, though not tied in the Luftwaffe style. It also is quite long, so it may be intended for Heer dagger. The handle is still tightly attached to the tang, with no wobble.

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. Like the pommel it has antiquing in the recessed areas, giving it a fantastic look. The ferrule looks to be plated steel, and is in excellent condition, with fully intact plating and no oxidation.

The blade is in good condition, and looks to have had some oxidation and staining in the past on most of the blade, which was then cleaned away with steel wool or something similar. This has unfortunately removed most of the original factory final grind cross grain, except in the areas near the guard, which do not show any oxidation, and show clear grain. It is possible that the blade had some type of great put on it, which unfortunately can promote oxidation if it is not the right type. The tip is still intact, with no bending, and the edge is correctly unsharpened and the original leather blade buffer is still present in the recesses of the guard.

The reverse ricasso is marked with the “Left Facing Tiger” trademark of the Lauterjung & Co. firm, and to the right of the trademark is:

TIGER
SOLINGEN

Lauterjung & Co., Tiger Stahlwaren- und Waffenfabrik (Steelware and Weapon Factory) is a famous manufacturer in Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. Their trademark was a Tiger, and their factory was thus often referred to as Tigerwerk (Tiger Works). The firm was founded in 1873 to make knives, scissors, and other steel ware, and survived until after the war. There were several different branches of the Lauterjung family involved in edged weapons, operating under different trade names to avoid confusion. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

This steel scabbard is a fine, straight example with no denting, having much of the original plated finish still present. The scabbard overall has a great lightly oxidized look, with a bit of plating wear through in places. The bands look to be zinc alloy, and are well defined and have outstanding hand enhanced oak leaves tipped at a 45 degree angle. The throat is retained by a single “cheese head” screw on the upper narrow side, and is the narrower type seen.

This is a very nice 2nd Model Luftwaffe Dagger with scabbard & portepee, made by a well-known maker and offered with a lovely unfaded grip. Ready to display!

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