German WWII Knife

German weapons, vehicles and equipment 1919-1945.

Moderator: sniper1shot

Post Reply
JoeT88
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2005 1:07 pm
Location: NJ

German WWII Knife

Post by JoeT88 »

My uncle returned from Europe with this knife and gave it to my father many years ago. We always wondered the history of this blade.

Clink on the link below to see pictures.

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post ... ?id=685100

Any information anyone could provide would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe
Mobile Infantry
Supporter
Posts: 141
Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2004 1:44 am
Location: Germany

Post by Mobile Infantry »

This dagger looks like a so called Borddolch or Fliegerdolch M.1935 a dagger for German Air Force.
It´s an early model because from 1940 on another dagger type was issued.

http://www.militaria-lexikon.de/katalog ... dolch.html

http://www.german-militaria.de/details/d27636.html

http://www.bcx-iii.com/swords.htm
http://www.bcx-iii.com/S232.html

Best regards
As all soldiers know since thousands of years death is not noble. It´s just very final.
JoeT88
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2005 1:07 pm
Location: NJ

Post by JoeT88 »

MI,
Thanks for the information. I appreciate.
Have a good day.

Joe
User avatar
Rich Yankowski
Supporter
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2003 7:50 pm
Location: Catskill Mts,New York,U.S.A.

Post by Rich Yankowski »

You have a very nice example of what is commonly called a 1st model Luft dagger.It was patterned after the DLV pattern dagger(German Air Sports Leader Pattern Dirk).The 1st Luft was adopted in 1935 and was only issued to Luftwaffe personal having flying status,and not just for officers.
The maker of yours appears to be E&F Horster.This company was started in 1850 and was still in business as of 2002 under the name of Kattenbergerstr.Horster also made other daggers:NSKK,Army Officer's,Bahnschutz,Forestry Cutlasses,Hitler Youth,Hitler Youth Leader,Hunting Association,Land Customs,Luft 2nd model,Navy(1st and 2nd models),NPEA,Rad,RLB(1st and 2nd models),Water Customs,Military Dress bayonets,Fire Fighter's Dress bayonets,and Police bayonets.
I can't tell for sure,but yours appears to have aluminum fittings.Earlier ones had nickel/silver fittings.Not all 1st Lufts have the sunwheel swastika with as much gilting as yours,a most pleasing feature in my opinion.The blue leather on the grip and scabbard is called Moroccan leather.And not that you would want to sell it,but a 1st Luft in this great condition would bring around $750 at one of the top dealer's sites(of course if you were selling it to them,they might only give you half that!).
All in all,you have a nice piece of history that is the real deal!
Post Reply