RLB Officers Dagger by Weyersberg w/Dedication
Price: $2495
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription:. This RLB Officer remains in exceptionally fine condition, The pommel comes to a point in the upward center top area and its edges have a deep accent line extending around its circumference. The pommel cap shows little to no bruising. The dark aluminum cross guard is beautiful, featuring straight, unbruised quillon arms across the center eagle and match the pommel cap. Each guard has three deep accent lines cut into each side. The eagle is the stubby-winged design used on these RLB pieces. With a hint of Art Deco, the bird has accent lines engraved into its wings, beak and eye. The bird clutches a smooth surfaced open wreath containing a plain, mobile-style swastika. The grip has a carved wood base with a bulbous center area that contours downward and upward. The dark blue leather covering has all of its original grain and remains in perfect condition. The RLB enamel grip insignia is near perfect The starburst outer rays retain 80% of their silvering with only the edges showing the copper base underneath. The black enamel center swastika is near perfect! . The blade remains in mint condition, being bright and having all of its cross grain with needle-like tip. Blade has a masterfully engraved dedication over its length: “Meinen Guten Kameraden- 13.7.40 Lonh”; The reverse ricasso is lightly etched with the trademark consisting of double ovals that contain the firm’s name and location, “Paul Weyersberg / Solingen”. Inside is the downward-pointing sword placed between an oak leaf wreath. The blue leather blade washer is in place. The scabbard is superb and straight throughout. The steel shell is covered with matching dark grained blue leather. The three nickel-silver matching scabbard mounts are in equally fine condition throughout. All screws remain unmolested. Blade fits very snugly into it. A beautiful, untouched early wartime example with personalization.
Background: The Reichsluftschutzbund or RLB was the official air raid protection group for the state. It was established by Air Minister Hermann Göring in 1935. RLB groups were kept busy training the German population for civil defense. Beginning in 1936, enlisted members of this organization were issued a dagger. The dagger had nickeled mounts with black ebony grip and black painted scabbard. The short hanger was permanently attached to the scabbard. The 1st Model example had an applied grip insignia which features the organization’s initials, RLB, in a blue enamel superimposed over a silvered sunburst. The 2nd Model was issued in 1938. It was essentially the same dagger, however, the grip insignia featured a large black-enameled swastika, superimposed over a sunburst. The blades were a plain polished finish variety. The Officers of the RLB initially carried daggers with one scabbard suspension ring with early RLB lettered insignia on the grip. The dagger has silvered nickel mounts with leather covered grip and matching scabbard shell. A 2nd Officer Pattern was introduced in 1938. It was nearly identical to the previous type, except the new insignia of the RLB, a large black enameled swastika grip emblem, was substituted for the earlier RLB grip emblem. Additionally a center ramp was added to the scabbard to accommodate a more substantial two strap hanging method. Many existing 1st Model daggers were converted to 2nd Models during the period.
