2nd Model RLB Officers Dagger with Leather Hangers and Rare Maker

Here on offer is a beautiful example of a 1938 RLB 2nd Model Officers Dagger with its original leather hangers, by the rare maker, KRONECK, ERNST ERICH WITTE, SOLINGEN.

All the metal fitting appear to be nickel silver plated and have a dark aged patina finish, that would clean to a bright finish if required.

The grip is made of a two-piece leather covered wood construction. The leather has a beautiful grain finish in a very dark blue, almost black colour.
Set on the front of the grip is a silver metal sunburst symbol set with a black enamel swastika, both in excellent condition.

The oval pommel has only some tiny pin-prick marks on the top and I don’t think it has been removed since the dagger was made.

The unique RLB style crossguard has the “stubby winged eagle” clutching a plain wreath with an open swastika in the centre.
The guards are triangular and decorated with lines on both sides.

The blade is an excellent example, mirror bright through with nearly all its gross graining in place. There are just some light slider marks and some light greying on the reverse, near the dark blue leather throat buffer pad. The point is still needle sharp!
The reverse of the ricasso is marked lightly with the diamond shaped makers mark for KRONECK with a crown and ERNST ERICH WITTE, SOLINGEN below the trade mark.

The scabbard is straight and covered with a matching dark blue almost black-grained leather, in-between the nickel mounts and ferrule. There are some minor dings and a small piece (just under 1cm) of leather missing or the top surface has been worn off on the reverse, just by the ferrule.
The scabbard mounts and rings are of solid nickel and have a patinated silver finish and still have their original retaining flat head screws in place.

The rare original leather hangers are in great condition, with the dark blue/black leather matching the scabbard and grip leather. They have a set of decorative stitches that run the length of each strap. The leather shows some slight age cracking and is ‘firm’, would no doubt soften up with some leather balm treatment if required.
The silver plated light weight cast metal snap clip at the top has a pebble finish and on the reverse is marked with DRGM and an RZM mark of M5/10. The oval buckles and slides have an oak leaf design. The hanger clips are the deluxe ‘push up’ version, with oak leaves on the front and DRGM on the reverse.

The RLB, R (Reich) L (Luftschutz) B (Bund) was actually a civilian organization subdivided into two separate formations:
1)… the Luftschutz (Air Raid Protection)
2)… the Warndienst (Air Raid Warning Service).
After 1943, the Warndiest became a part of the German Order Police although it still functioned as the Air Raid Warning Service of the Reich. By 1939 over 15 million men had joined the RLB as volunteers. Volunteers had to purchase their own steel helmets and had no uniform. These volunteers mainly managed the air raid shelters on a street by street basis. The small cadre of career officers carried out training and management of the volunteer force. As the war progressed the role of the RLB was expanded to include search and rescue, fire fighting, decontamination, demolition of damaged buildings etc.
A great opportunity to acquire a really great complete RLB set in excellent condition, by a rare maker of these daggers.

The blade measures 9.6” (24.5cm) and the dagger itself 14.4” (36cm). Inserted in the scabbard it measures 15.5” (39.4cm).

The set weighs 580g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

Code: 50029