{"product_id":"mint-luftwaffe-officer-s-dagger-by-wkc-solingen","title":"MINT LUFTWAFFE OFFICER’S DAGGER BY WKC SOLINGEN","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn March 1933, the Deutscher Luftsport-Verband (DLV) — the German Air Sports Association — was formed by consolidating all civilian flying clubs into a single national organization. Publicly, the DLV promoted aviation as a sport. Privately, it served as a camouflage program for training pilots and personnel for the future Luftwaffe, allowing Germany to circumvent the restrictions of the Versailles Treaty, which forbade the existence of a German military air force.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn early 1934 the DLV introduced two edged weapons:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA dagger for officers (February 1934)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA knife for all ranks (April 1934)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLater that same year, members of the Fliegerschaft — the secret military arm of the DLV — adopted both sidearms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen the Luftwaffe was officially unveiled in March 1935, a slightly modified version of the DLV officer’s dagger was authorized for Luftwaffe Officers and qualified EM\/NCOs who held a pilot’s license. On July 15, 1937, the Second Pattern Luftwaffe Dagger was introduced. It replaced the first model and was approved for Officers, Senior Officer Candidates, and officials with equivalent ranks. In 1940, regulations extended its wear to senior NCOs, reserve NCOs, and NCO-ranked officials.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe use of portepees and troddels — decorative knots worn on edged weapons — traced back to the Prussian Army in 1808. These items were retained through WWI, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich as traditional symbols. The Luftwaffe introduced its own officially sanctioned portepee design on March 1, 1935, modeled closely on the earlier Army officer’s pattern.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVeteran Provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis dagger comes from the estate of WWII U.S. veteran Carl Numrich, whose service history adds powerful personal context.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNumrich served with the 11th Armored Division and later as a Sergeant in the U.S. 3rd Army.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe fought during the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis unit advanced south and participated in the liberation of Mauthausen concentration camp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe received the Bronze Star for his service while assigned to a tank battalion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter combat duty, he was responsible for obtaining vital supplies and keeping armored vehicles operational.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis son, Bob Numrich, shared that his father rarely spoke of the war, explaining that he had “had his fill” of the experience. Like many WWII veterans, he only discussed his wartime memories with fellow soldiers, and even then sparingly. The family preserved a box of war souvenirs that included daggers, a dual-decal SS helmet, flags, and other personal bring-backs from Europe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis dagger remained stored in cosmoline since 1945, accounting for its exceptional preservation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an outstanding WKC Second Pattern Luftwaffe Officer’s Dagger, complete with its original hanger and portepee — an exceptional, investment-grade example.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrilliant, bright, double-edged steel blade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrisp acid-etched knight’s head “WKC SOLINGEN” logo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum \u0026amp; Co.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo sharpening, full tip, clean edges\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal brown leather buffer pad intact\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScabbard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteel-based scabbard with an even grey finish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFine pebbling with well-defined oak leaves and acorns\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo dents; throat screw present and original\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes correct DRGM-marked Luftwaffe double strap hanger\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHanger features zinc alloy clips and buckles with oak leaf and acorn motifs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFittings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent Luftwaffe eagle with sharp details in wings, feathers, and chest\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePommel and ferrule with strong oak leaf and acorn embellishments\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBurnt orange Trylon grip with tight wire wrap, no cracks or fading\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePortepee\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Luftwaffe officer’s portepee\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent condition, knot and cord fully intact\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dagger is exceptionally preserved due to being kept well-oiled in cosmoline by the veteran since the end of the war. As a result, this piece displays near-mint metalwork, pristine fittings, and a superior blade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall rating: 9.5 \/ 10 — near impossible to upgrade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medieval \u0026 Military Treasures ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56465614864767,"sku":null,"price":965.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0936\/7810\/9055\/files\/IMG_2597_1d41e377-8952-4f92-bf99-6e4bb3c5cca7.jpg?v=1763976807","url":"https:\/\/medievalmilitarytreasures.com\/products\/mint-luftwaffe-officer-s-dagger-by-wkc-solingen","provider":"Medieval \u0026 Military Treasures ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}