1st Pattern Luftwaffe Dagger on craigslist

**SADolch** · 07-15-2018, 05:19 AM

Here is another David Malsch in my collection.
Dave H

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 07-15-2018 05:19 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**M.E.E.** · 07-15-2018, 07:13 AM

by SADolch

Hope this helps....a photo of my David Malsch Luft dagger ....and a photo from Tom Wittmanns book page 55 ...Exploring The Dress Daggers of the German lluftwaffe

That is a beautiful dagger, and I have to say I am very happy I picked up that book (and therefore your contribution is appreciated). There is a David Malsch on another book sellers site that if you didn't know better most people would walk away from, that rough logo, aluminium, and the guilding is on the circle and next to nothing on the actual swastika. These were made to look pretty from a far I swear most of the time. Edit I made a mistake and crossed 2 tabs I had open and though the Malsch I was looking at was aluminum. It was nickel and well work down to brass. sorry for the confussion

**Larry C** · 07-15-2018, 11:39 AM

The aluminum types will have a less chunky feel to them and the logo as seen in Dave SA Dolch Post also shows a lightly etched example.

I cant see far enough what happened with the gold gild in the swaz and may have been recently added making it look sloppy. The gild process and application also should be perfectly set in both Swaz locations.

Early swaz medallion types will be made of brass and its the silvering that wears off between the swaz legs that goes first.

Daves example above shows the earlier nickel fitted type. The question is : Did Malsch produce aluminum types or was this blade parted with the rest of the dagger?

I have no issues about a lightly etched logo as we see the same with FA Helbig logos on 1st Model types also.

Regards Larry

**nbushyager** · 07-15-2018, 12:52 PM

I should have taken pictures and I did text the guy last night asking him if he would send some pictures. The sun wheel in this one looks perfect compared to the one that I saw. It looked like the sun wheel was hand etched and all the lines were awkward. The gilding literally looked like it was done with a paint pen and only ever covered 75% of the space inside the seas. The makers mark actually didn't bother me at all - I did see that it is very faint on several examples before I went.

There was what looked like a little waffen eagle stamped between the makers mark and the hilt of the dagger. Is that suppose to be there and what is that?

Thanks

by M.E.E.

It is an aluminum dagger so it is going to weigh a lot less than what a standard version does. These aluminum ones are not always perfect, as you can see from the gilding on this one 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger by WKC | Lakesidetrader. From the picture I would have been very interested or at least ask for secondary pictures but that is just me. Edit- david malsch mark looks like it should, these were crude for some reason.

**M.E.E.** · 07-15-2018, 01:33 PM

by nbushyager

I should have taken pictures and I did text the guy last night asking him if he would send some pictures. The sun wheel in this one looks perfect compared to the one that I saw. It looked like the sun wheel was hand etched and all the lines were awkward. The gilding literally looked like it was done with a paint pen and only ever covered 75% of the space inside the seas. The makers mark actually didn't bother me at all - I did see that it is very faint on several examples before I went.

There was what looked like a little waffen eagle stamped between the makers mark and the hilt of the dagger. Is that suppose to be there and what is that?

Thanks

I would suggest posting pictures if you get them. If it looks like the Waffenamt (inspection mark) in this picture 1st Model Luftwaffe Dagger by SMF | Lakesidetrader (picture 2 right side insert) then yes it is right.

Larry you bring up a good point and I don't know if they did do aluminum parts, I haven't seen any examples but looking at the picture nbushyager provided those look aluminium. Could be we are looking at a parts dagger? So many questions, would love to see more pictures.

**nbushyager** · 07-15-2018, 02:09 PM

Got some more pictures - hope I was wrong about it.

**Larry C** · 07-15-2018, 04:41 PM

The waffen amt mark is correct above the logo as MEE points out.

I would agree also that the swastikas have been touched up. Its just sloppy.

Don't feel bad ..your better off walking away. The chain is missing also which you would want a Whole example and not just a good deal .

leave it be IMO.

Regards Larry

**nbushyager** · 07-15-2018, 04:57 PM

Thanks Larry,

Just so I understand you fully. You think that it is an original dagger and scabbard, but the swas have been messed with?

by Larry C

The waffen amt mark is correct above the logo as MEE points out.

I would agree also that the swastikas have been touched up. Its just sloppy.

Don't feel bad ..your better off walking away. The chain is missing also which you would want a Whole example and not just a good deal .

leave it be IMO.

Regards Larry

**Larry C** · 07-15-2018, 05:54 PM

Yes I would say so because the Germans were meticulous in their craft and aluminum fitted daggers such as these were produced mid period. I cant see a sloppy job on the medallions.

I still think the blade was married to this dagger but cant prove that until other aluminum Malsch types surface.

For me I would want a chain also

Regards Larry

**M.E.E.** · 07-15-2018, 09:34 PM

I will agree with Larry I am pretty sure that this one has been messed with, and was put together with original parts but if I had been offered this dagger I would have been tempted to offer him $250 just to have the maker and maybe I would get lucky and have another aluminum Malsch appear but then again that is just me.