Early 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger with Flight Marks by F&A Helbig

SOLD!

These have always been one of my favorite dagger types, the First Model Luftwaffe daggers with the early solid nickel fittings that turn a deep dark tone from age. Absolutely stunning! This particular example has it all! An average amount of use wear to the grip leather, with the expected tones of reddish brown where the deep blue leather has given way to the years of wear.

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These have always been one of my favorite dagger types, the First Model Luftwaffe daggers with the early solid nickel fittings that turn a deep dark tone from age. Absolutely stunning!

This particular example has it all! An average amount of use wear to the grip leather, with the expected tones of reddish brown where the deep blue leather has given way to the years of wear. The amount of original blue surface on the grip is still a very respectable 90%. The deep age toned cross guard and pommel cap show only minor wear and the brass tone of the Swastikas still very alive with color.

Stamped into the underside of the wings of the cross guard are the flight marks, “ST. K.” on one side, and “III 254” on the other. These stamps are mirrored on the surface of the scabbard throat fitting!

Moving down the Luftwaffe dagger we have a nice and shiny nickel plated blade with some plating peel at the tip, but nothing too distracting at all considering the overall condition of this piece. The blade is otherwise near perfect, with only the normal scabbard rash. Near the guard is stamped the waffenamt bird and number “5”, as well as the F&A Helbig maker’s mark, which is faint but visible. This is common for this maker as they did not etch their mark into the blade like other makers. At the blade’s shoulders we find the original matching blue leather scabbard buffer pad still in place.

The scabbard condition matches is almost perfect sync with the dagger’s grip, showing the same level of leather wear and patina to the nickel fittings. The same can be said about the chain. Aside from some nicks in the leather, it is 98% in terms of coverage, with no peeling or cracking. As mentioned above, stamped into the surface of the throat fitting are “ST. K.” on one side of the slit, and “III 254” on the other, which we assume to be the “flight marking”.

One interesting point to be made about this particular dagger is the location of the center scabbard chain band. It appears the original owner decided he wanted to change the location of the band (perhaps to modify the angle at which it hang from his hip). The original screw hole is visible below the band, yet there is absolutely no trace of the band ever being in a different position other than where we see it today. There is little doubt (if observing the evidence) that this was indeed done very early in the dagger’s life.