Historic daggers

Identify a dagger: which dagger is it?

This page shows which parts of a dagger count for identification. The key below checks whether your piece could match one of two Luftwaffe models. It does not identify your dagger; it shows possible matches and the photos still needed for a classification.

How do I recognise which dagger I have?

Look at the grip, scabbard, crossguard, pommel and blade. No single feature fixes a model. Only the interplay of all parts counts.

At present the key knows only two models of the Luftwaffe dagger. For any other dagger, an assessment based on photos helps: How to photograph your dagger.

The parts of a dagger

The questions below use these terms. The drawing shows the general structure and no particular model.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Fig. 1 Schematic structure of a dagger with scabbard. General diagram, not a specific model. Drawing: DAGGRS (diagram)

Dagger

1 Pommel
Cap at the top end of the grip
2 Grip
The part the hand holds; material and wrapping differ by model
3 Crossguard
Cross piece between grip and blade
4 Ricasso
Unsharpened section at the base of the blade; on some models marks or stamps sit here
5 Blade
Cutting part, with a point at the end
6 Fuller
Longitudinal groove in the blade (shown schematically)
7 Point
Front end of the blade

Scabbard

8 Scabbard mouth
Upper edge of the scabbard through which the blade is guided
9 Scabbard body
Sheath for the blade
10 Suspension ring
Attachment point for the hanger
11 Chape
Fitting at the tip of the scabbard

Not every piece has all of these parts. What counts for identification is what can actually be seen on your piece.

Identification key for two Luftwaffe models

Answer what you see. If you are unsure, choose “I am not sure”. You do not have to answer every question.

Before you use the key

  • At present the key knows only two models of the Luftwaffe dagger: the 1st model and the 2nd model. For all other daggers it cannot say anything.
  • It does not identify your dagger. It only shows whether your answers could match one of these two models. We call that a possible match.
  • General features such as a light plastic grip or a metal scabbard do not fix a model. That is why the key states, for each possible match, what is still missing for confirmation and which photos are needed.
  • We add further models only once their features are documented.
What is the grip made of?

This means the surface the hand wraps around, not the pommel at the end.

What does the scabbard look like?

If the scabbard is missing, that is no disadvantage for the identification, but one feature less.

What can be seen on the blade?

This question does not change the match. It only determines which photos we recommend next.

Reset

What the key knows

The key works with two groups. A group is a possible match if all answered features fit. If an answered feature differs, the group is ruled out. “I am not sure” and “There is no scabbard” rule nothing out.

What the key knows
Group Grip Scabbard Sources
Luftwaffe dagger, 1st model Blue leather (also faded or dark) Blue leather 123
Luftwaffe dagger, 2nd model Light plastic, ivory white, yellow, amber or orange, usually with wire wrapping Metal with a grained, rough surface, usually with rings 145

For the 2nd model there is a museum record. For the 1st model there are so far only descriptions from an auction house, a dealer and DG.DE.

What the key does not do

  • It knows only two models of the Luftwaffe dagger and a note on wooden grips. It does not classify any other pieces. For them, the initial assessment based on photos helps.
  • It does not check authenticity. Reworked, supplemented or assembled pieces can show the same features as originals.
  • It does not replace an expert opinion. DG.DE offers a written expert opinion separately: expert opinion at DG.DE (external site).

Continue with photos

If the key gives no clear answer, that is normal. Photos show more than a description.

Send photos and request an initial assessment

Read on

Sources and status

The features of the two groups come from the sources named here. The evaluation itself is a simple comparison of your answers with these features.

  1. 1 DG.DE: Blankwaffen, Luftwaffe (external site). DG.DE | Historica, retrieved on 2026-10-28. DG.DE’s own description, not an independent source.
  2. 2 Lot 334962, Luftwaffe Model 1935 officer’s dagger (1st Pattern) (external site). Noonans, auction house, retrieved on 2026-10-28. Auction house.
  3. 3 First Model Luftwaffe Dagger with Scabbard and Hangers (external site). Horse Soldier, dealer, retrieved on 2026-10-28. Dealer description.
  4. 4 Luftwaffe Dagger 2nd Model, Inventarnummer REL35669 (external site). Australian War Memorial, Canberra, retrieved on 2026-10-28. Museum.
  5. 5 Uniforms of the Luftwaffe (1935–1945) (external site). Wikipedia (English), retrieved on 2026-10-28. Reference work.
Status of the information
28 October 2026
Publisher
DAGGRS, a specialist service of DGDE GmbH

Have you found an error? Write to us via the contact page.