DLV Dagger

It can be assumed that the initiator of the dagger introduction was personally Goering.  This is evidenced not only by the personality of the Reich Minister himself, who was not only a luxury lover but also a connoisseur of edged weapons and military traditions. It can be also evidenced from photos that feature Goering wearing such a dagger long before the official introduction of the service dagger for DLV officers.   It refers to the photo featuring Goering's official visit to Italy in November 1933 and wearing a dagger, that later was titled by collectors DLV55.  This model can be easily identified from the image that perfectly conveys the size and features of the dagger. Unfortunately, the quality of the image does not allow us to identify the manufacturer or particular features of the dagger. Therefore, it is impossible to state whether Goering's dagger has any particular differences, like other special order items of edged weapon that were worn by the Third Reich top officials or it is one of the first standard daggers. 

At the end of 1933, Goering had a press photo done that he presented to Himmler for Christmas 1933. This photo features the Reich Minister wearing the DLV dagger. In addition to this photo, there is a number of other images that feature the Reichsmarschall wearing this dagger.

A known researcher specializing in the Third Reich uniform, Wilhelm Saris, found a series of original secret orders. Unfortunately, the first order of November 4, 1933, has not been found yet. Its existence is known due to the reference in the later order of February 1934. Based on this, we can make the following conclusions. At the end of October or early November, Goering was presented with the dagger, later known as DLV55. It has not been established yet, whether it was committed by Goering to manufacture this dagger or he got it as a present. The dagger was approved by the Reich Minister and the first secret order on the dagger was issued on November 4, 1933, unfortunately, its text content is not known now.

On November 8, 1933, Goering visited Italy, and his uniform was complete with a dagger for The German Air Sports League. Prototypes for a new model, most likely, were daggers for the German Volunteer Automobile Corps (DFAC - Deutsches Freiwilligen-Automobilkorps), which were worn during the First World War by pilots of aircraft and airships. If we consider the dagger for The German Air Sports League as an example, we can notice hereditary traits of WWI daggers and trace the evolution of the Third Reich daggers.

In the period from November to February Solingen factories released a new model of the dagger commissioned by the Department. For its production, many companies used their overstock parts.  It is evident from their old-style blades. The order regulating wearing, distribution, purchase conditions as well as the name of the authorized distributor was issued in February 1934.  The right to wear the dagger had to be mentioned in the personal identity of a pilot.  The dagger was purchased by officers at their own expense, and only senior officers and pilots were eligible to wear it. The text content of that order is available in the appropriate section of the website.

In March 1934 several articles with the image of that model were published in the German press.  But an interesting story of the dagger does not come to an end there. In April 1934, for secrecy reason, a pilot's knife was introduced for junior flight personnel who was not authorized to wear a pilot's dagger. This precaution was caused by the fact that Germany was not yet ready to announce the creation of combat aviation. This would later become the DLV/NSFK knife. The existing model of the dagger was shortened to the size of a knife; the design of parts was simplified as much as possible. But at the same time, certain elements of the early production period's remained unchanged: the design of the guard featuring a square medallion and shorter quillon ends as well as a blue colour of skin.

After the official creation of the Luftwaffe, DLV/NSFK dagger remained the official dress weapon for this organization. Although, it was supposed to be replaced by a bayonet. With the further development of the Luftwaffe, it was decided to introduce a dagger which production would involve more machine work and feature a shortened blade. The length of the initial version proved to be uncomfortable to wear, so it was decided to modify the design of the dagger. The changes affected not only the length but also new technological aspects were taken into consideration.

On October 15, 1934, an order was issued to amend the design of the pilot's dagger, according to which the dagger was brought to a new standard - with a shortened blade. Thus only a small quantity of DLV55 Daggers featuring original forms has come to our days. And already in 1935, a new Luftwaffe dagger of the 1935 model was introduced. Since officers purchased the dagger at their own expense, with the introduction of a new Model of the Luftwaffe dagger in 1935, it was allowed to shorten their pieces to avoid extra costs. Certain technological aspects that made it possible to simplify the assembly of daggers were taken into account during designing of the new Luftwaffe 1 Model dagger.  The dagger became disassemblable featuring a screwed onto the tang pommel and scabbard fittings that were simpler to manufacture. The excessive decoration was removed from the chape of the scabbard and chain fittings were simply put on the surface of the scabbard that since that moment was made from metal and covered with skin.  The Hexagon-shaped blade was void of a ricasso. This construction became a standard one for the majority of daggers during the Third Reich.

The DLV55 dagger was one of the first mass models of edged weapons of the Third Reich. It is important to mention that the meaning of the term "mass production" in these circumstances is rather relative since the period of each production stage was limited to months, while the total period of production (all 3 phases) took a little more than a year.

DESCRIPTION AND TYPES OF DAGGERS.

The design of the dagger is very interesting and allows us to trace evolution of German edged weapon. The design of the DLV55 resembles a medieval sword with stylized elements. The crossguard featuring wings emphasizes its relation to aviation. The length and shape of the blade originated from the Fire Protection Dagger which seems a bit odd. Due to the fact that during the First World War German bladesmiths produced daggers for pilots, based on the Kaisermarine dagger style, but for slight variations in design and length difference, the earlier pieces were fitted with an early blade type that subsequently, when production increased, was replaced by new more technological blades. Below we consider the daggers in more detail. Let us start with common features.  It featured a one-piece construction, the tang was flattened down over the top of the pommel and countersunk. The dagger has a long blade. Daggers of initial production, probably, were fitted with blades that had been on the stock. Since the blades of the same size and construction were used for daggers for firefighters and cadets. Original design fittings. The pommel and the crossguard had a decoration featuring a rotating swastika. It was void of etching. The scabbard was made of pressed cardboard covered with leather. That is why many of survived daggers have a distinctive pinch on the scabbard caused by the spring. The dagger was worn on a chain hanger. Different companies used different types of snap clips. Unfortunately, it is impossible to attribute any variety to a particular type of daggers. The dagger could be worn with a silver knot. 

There are several varieties depending on the production period and manufacturer. The supply of the first DLV daggers for the organization was launched in February 1934, according to the Order by the Secret Command. While in 1935 after the formation of the Luftwaffe, according to the new Order, the 1st Model of a standard Luftwaffe Dagger was introduced. A short production period can be divided into 3 distinct stages.

The first stage is the development and production of the first samples. It took a time span from autumn 1933 to March 1934. During this period of production blades similar to the fire protection and cadet daggers blades were used. The characteristic feature of those blades was a distinct ricasso. Decorative components of the hilt were manually finished. There were different finishing solutions for decoration.

The second stage refers to mass production of daggers of this model. It took a time span from January 1934 to November 1934. The increase in the number of manufacturers, approval of the final design of the dagger. A new type of blade was used, which later turned to be a basic one for almost all dress weapon produced during that period in Germany. They gradually moved away from manual decoration. The above describes the pattern of the dagger that was published in newspapers.

The third stage is the transition from the model DLV 55 to the 1st Model of Luftwaffe Dagger 1935. It is characterized by use of overstock parts left from the DLV 55 dagger to produce the 1st Model of Luftwaffe. The dagger took a standard length that was more comfortable to wear. Subcontractors that manufactured accessories sold their stock parts not only to manufacturers of DLV daggers, who had been buying it earlier but also to firms that had just received contracts for the production of a new model of Luftwaffe dagger. And there is an interesting fact, the order for Luftwaffe daggers was so huge that it influenced not only the increase in number of manufacturers but caused those companies that manufactured daggers of the first period of production to produce a transitional pattern instead of a new model. The reason for this was apparently the volume of orders that was larger than the capacity of companies. 

The above categorization has no documentary evidence and is based only on conclusions of website authors based on available information. In case of newly found documents or relevant photos, the above statement will be reviewed.