Early (circa 1936-1937) roughly 30.5cm long bright nickel/silver plated drop forged steel double edged stiletto style blade with a flat central plane.  The reverse ricasso is well marked with acid etched manufacturers logo and location SMF of Solingen. The original pebbled, blue leather washer is intact. The dagger has a cast nickel silver crossguard and pommel (shows wear) with sunwheel swastikas. The crossguard is in the form of extended horizontal down swept stylized wings with a raised central circular panel with a gilt washed sunwheel swastika to each side of the circular panel. The formed wooden grip is wrapped in blue Moroccan leather with three twisted and straight wire wrap. The circular pommel also has a gilt washed sunwheel swastika to each side. The dagger comes complete with its original blue Moroccan leather wrapped magnetic sheet metal scabbard with three nickel silver fittings. All three of the fittings are in excellent condition and all three are secured to the scabbard with countersunk flathead screws. The top and center fittings each have a hanger ring and an integral nickel hanger with seven circular links to the top hanger and nine circular links to the bottom hanger. Both the top and bottom chain link hangers are attached to a nickel silver friction clip functions properly. The leather shows some damage as seen in the photos. In March 1933 the Deutscher Luftsport Verband, (German Air Sports League), was established by incorporating all civilian flying clubs into the one organization. The DLV was utilized as a camouflage civilian organization to train personnel for the future Luftwaffe. As a civilian organization it was able to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the Versailles Treaty, which prohibited a German military air service. In February and April 1934 respectively the DLV introduced a dagger for Officer’s and a knife for all ranks. Later in 1934 members of the Fliegerschaft, the secret military branch of the DLV, adopted both sidearms for wear. Shortly after the unveiling of the Luftwaffe in March 1935 a modified version of the DLV’s Officer’s dagger was adopted for wear by Luftwaffe Officer’s and EM/NCO’s personnel who held a valid pilots licence. Originally the early daggers were produced utilizing nickel/silver fittings until 1936 when the early fittings were replaced with polished nickle fittings. Of Note: On July 15TH 1937 a second pattern Luftwaffe dagger was introduced was introduced for wear by Officers, Senior Officer Candidates and Officials with the equivalent Officers ranks and the first pattern dagger was discontinued