Original German WWII Aluminum Fitted Luftwaffe Officer Sword by Rare Maker F. & A. Helbig with Replaced Scabbard Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a German WWII Luftwaffe Officer’s Sword from a rare maker with great aluminum fittings and a very good condition carbon steel blade. This is mid-war produced example, as early war examples were silver-frosted nickel alloy. As the war continued they moved to the “air-age” aluminum material.

The reverse ricasso of this great sword is maker marked with a lightly etched oval trademark logo reading:

F. & A. HELBIG
* Gaesler *
STEINBACH (Kr. M.)

F. & A. Helbig, Messerfabrik in Steinbach Kreis Meiningen, was organized by Frieda & Alfred Helbig, succeeding F. & W. Helbig shortly after 1928. They prospered manufacturing daggers during the Third Reich era. They made daggers for the DLV, and made some crackle-finished Aluminum NSFK Glider Pilot’s Knives. They also made many swords and daggers for the Luftwaffe, They used several trademark logos, and the lightly etched version without borders was the one usually seen on the Luftwaffe Swords. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.  There is also a Luftwaffe Weimar Eagle 5 inspection stamp next to the maker mark.

The 28 1/2″ blade, unlike most we see, is not nickel plated, and is bright steel, with the fine polishing texture still visible. This may mean it was from the later war period, when there was less time and material for plating. There are some finger print marks and light staining in areas, as shown. There are no chips or nicks in the edge on the blade, and it was never sharpened, correct for a dress sword. Truly an very nice example of WWII production blade from a rare Solingen maker.

The fittings of this sword are bright aluminum, and show light wear and some minor scratching. The pommel still has good crisp edges and the oak leaves on the sides are in excellent condition. The “broken sun cross” swas on the pommel and cross guard also retain virtually all of their original gilding, and look great. The cross guard arms are the downward sloping type being in three tiers and carved with lines to simulate feathering. These quillon arms still have good, crisp edges, with just a bit of wear. The hilt and associated fittings are tight to the blade, with no wobbling.

The grip is a fine blue Moroccan leather covered carved wood base. This leather is in good condition throughout and still has its original graining in the surfaces, with some areas that have wear through the leather finish. The grip is wrapped with double strands of silver coiled wire, which is in excellent condition.

The scabbard for this example does not appear to be the original issued with it, as it has the early war nickel fittings, not aluminum. The leather covering on the steel body is unfortunately completely missing, and it was painted Luftwaffe dark blue. There is some denting and oxidation on the fittings. The original matching leather crescent hanger is also in place and still solid with wear to the finish and leather. This crescent hanger is equipped with a closed matching aluminum box clip.

A very nice Luftwaffe Officer’s sword by a rare maker, ready to display!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 28 1/2″
Blade Style: Double Edge w/ Partial Fuller
Overall length: 35 1/4“
Crossguard: 5″
Scabbard length: 29 1/2”