Discounted to £6750 (was £8750)

(By instruction of the consigner)

Luftwaffe Damascus blade dagger by Paul Dinger for Tiger Solingen

Purchased by Luftwaffe Officer Windhausen

Luftwaffe 2nd pattern dagger with true Damascus blade for sale. The dagger manufactured by Tiger, Solingen, and with Damascus blade made by the master swordsmith, Paul Dinger. The Luftwaffe dagger with a  deep yellow ivorine grip complete with fine wire binding. The pommel and crossguard in aluminium. The pommel with engraved band bearing the owner’s name, ‘J.H.Windhausen’. A silver aluminium wire portepee wrapped to the lower section of the grip.

The dagger blade in true Damascus, with the desirable maiden hair decoration.  The blade with raised Tiger logo and name. The tang typically stamped with the Paul Dinger ‘ P-D’ mark, along with a ‘1’. The steel scabbard with matching oakleaf bands. The dagger complete with deluxe hanging straps.

Condition report: The dagger in overall very good towards excellent condition, remaining in un-cleaned condition since 1945. The pommel and crossguard in a bright aluminium finish. Excellent grip, free from any cracks or splits, and with a good tight wire binding. The Damascus blade in excellent condition with the maiden hair pattern remaining particularly clear. The Damascus free from any unsightly pitting or blemishes.  The raised Tiger name and logo remaining clear and sharp. The gilted finish now gone. The original brown leather buffer remaining in place. The uncleaned steel scabbard in a dulled colour state. The oakleaves bands slightly brighter and with good detail. The portepee  recently attached (the original heavily frayed portepee included in the sale). The Delux hangers showing general service wear, particularly to the wool backs. Excellent  fit of dagger to the scabbard.

Notes: The Solingen-based company, Tiger, are one of just two or three companies known to have offered Paul Dinger Damascus blades as an optional extra to customers.

Provenance: This dagger, along with a Kriegsmarine dagger, were a part of a deceased estate of the veteran that brought the items back to England in 1945. The estate was placed in the hands of the local auction house of Golding, Young & Mawer, from Bourne in Lincolnshire. The two daggers were presented in the Company’s local ‘Bourne Collective’ auction held in 2019. Lot 16, the Luftwaffe Damascus dagger, was given an auction estimate of £200-£300, with this non-specialist auction house failing to make mention of the Damascus blade. Remaining untouched and un-cleaned from the sale, apart from the addition of a good period portepee. The original frayed portepee included in the sale, along with the original invoice document from Golding, Young & Mawer.