Original German WWII Early 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger by WKC with Scabbard & Belt Hanger Chain Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a great 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger made in in the late 1930s, made by the legendary Solingen-based firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie (WKC). The grip looks to be made of nickel or zinc alloy, which still has a good amount of the plating. The pommel has inlaid brass “Sunwheel” style swas (hook cross) emblems. However, the sides of the pommel are flat, and not “vaulted” as most we see are.

The grip is a carved wood base covered in blue Moroccan leather, which shows only light wear, and no tears. The original quadruple wire wrapping, with the center pair twisted, is still fully intact, with a lovely oxidized patina. The guard is the standard down swept “wing” type, with good detailing remaining, and with more “sunwheel” swas’s, which are flat, like on the pommel.

The blade of this piece is a high quality nickel-plated example, and is in excellent condition, with only a some scratches on either side of the ricasso from runner wear. The leather blade washer is about 50% missing, still stuck to the top of the crossguard.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the trademark “Knight’s Helmet” (Ritter-helm) logo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen, over the firms initials of WKC. This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany – a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making. Per J. Anthony Carter’s fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ”Kings head” as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company WKC was formed as it exists today.

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 no lifting or tears, just pressure denting. This scabbard has steel mount brackets, with a good amount of the original silver plate intact, and a great patina. 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, not counting the rings attached to the scabbard fittings. 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 Geschützt (Protected By Law), indicating that the clip was a trademarked design.

An great example of the classic 1st model Luftwaffe dagger, by a legendary Solingen maker, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 12 1/4″
Overall length: 18”
Crossguard: 4 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 13 1/2”