Original German WWII Early Unit Marked 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger by Paul Weyersberg with Scabbard & Belt Hanger Chain Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a very nice 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger from the late 1930s, made by the well-known firm of Paul Weyersberg & Co., Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), one of the many different firms run by members of the large Weyersberg family of Solingen. It has the earliest pattern fittings, which were a mixture of alloy and steel (on the scabbard), and were both plated and then coated with a type of blue oxide or paint. As the finish ages, it gives them a lovely patina from the degradation of the top finish, as well as the plating. This example looks to have been cleaned much over the years, which has removed the oxide coating on the hilt, as well as the plating on the scabbard, giving a great “broken in” look.

The hilt fittings look to be made of nickel or zinc alloy, which still have a good amount of the silver plating, showing some tarnishing around the cross guard. The pommel has nice “Sunwheel” style swas (hook cross) emblems, which look to be brass medallions set into the alloy pommel. The grip is a carved wood base covered in blue Moroccan leather, which shows only light wear, with the finish fully retained. The original quadruple wire wrapping, with the center pair twisted, is partly intact, with one of the outer strands completely missing. The remaining wrapping looks to be plated copper, which has worn down to the base metal. The guard is the standard down swept “wing” type, with good detailing remaining, and with more brass inlaid “sunwheel” swas’s.

The bottom of one of the “arms” of the cross guard bears a unit marking, which looks to read St. II. / 133, which looks to have been added with an engraving pen. We are not certain of this reading, as it is a bit worn. We only rarely see these with original unit markings, and this definitely has some great research potential.

The blade of this piece is a high quality nickel-plated steel example, and is in very good condition, showing light overall wear and swirl markings from cleaning / polishing. There is the usual runner wear on the blade flats, and some scuffing as well. The plating is almost fully retained, with just a bit of wear through near the edge by the logo. The original factory unsharpened edge is intact, and the tip has just the tiniest bend on the end.

This great example was made by Paul Weyersberg & Co. of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in western Germany. The reverse ricasso is etched with PAUL WEYERSBERG & Co. / SOLINGEN in double ovals around the firms trademark “Sword-and-Wreath” logo, which was the only marking they used during the Third Reich era. This company was one of many in Solingen owned by members of the Weyersberg family. The company survived the war, but ceased production in 1955. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter. There is also a partial Stick Eagle / 5 stamping below this, the correct marking for Luftwaffe blades.

The steel scabbard shell is straight throughout, though there is some denting about 2 inches above the drag fitting, which is also dented in a bit. The Moroccan leather covering the scabbard nicely matches the grip and is in very good condition, showing a bit of pressure denting and just one or two small tears through the finish. The scabbard has steel mountings, which have been polished and cleaned to a bright steel finish, with almost all of the plating removed. 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.

lovely unit marked example of the classic 1st model Luftwaffe dagger by a well-known Solingen maker. Complete with hanger and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 12″
Overall length: 17 3/4″
Crossguard: 4 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 13 1/2”