DLV/ Transitional question....

[lleno]

Hello gents,got a basic question here...what makes an dagger a "transitional",as in DLV/1st Luft transitional??I know it's an early dagger,and the lenth of 55 cm is sometimes noted,buut I'll be darned if I see any differances...I'm hoping to acquire an 1st Luft this summer....thanks,Lenny

[Billy G]

A DLV/Luft 1 transitional dagger can describe daggers with several different traits. IMHO, a true transitional will have a soft, cardboard type scabbard, large staples instead of scabbard screws & be devoid of a waffenamt blade mark.

The dagger pictured was like my 2nd or 3rd dagger ever purchased, I just thought it was an early Luft 1. Turns out the seller also missed that the crossguard underside had a Luft Flight School marking too.

[Billy G]

I neglected to mention that some transitionals will occasionally show the unique rattlesnake chape that DLVs are known for. Most that I have seen do not & sadly mine doesn't have it.

[Barry Brown]

I neglected to mention that some transitionals will occasionally show the unique rattlesnake chape that DLVs are known for. Most that I have seen do not & sadly mine doesn't have it.

This one has dlv 55cm type hilt fittings, soft shell scabbard, but standard luft lower scabbard chape - not a "rattlesnake". The dlv type pommel threads onto the tang and is not peened over, the collar beneath the pommel is a seperate piece. The blade is standard 1st pattern luft' pattern.

[Billy G]

Barry,

That is a very interesting & desirable variant. Never been able to get my pommel off. I don't think it's peened over, just frozen in time & I'm not about to fool with it.

[Barry Brown]

Barry,

That is a very interesting & desirable variant. Never been able to get my pommel off. I don't think it's peened over, just frozen in time & I'm not about to fool with it.

Billy, these early 1st luft's are quality all the way and become addictive. Here is another with a detachable chain set

[Ostmaerker]

Here is one of mine, a Pack

I love these daggers....

Ostmaerker

[lleno]

Thanks everyone....These are subtle differances I see.The stapled fittings are one easy to spot feature......

[JohnZ]

Here is an Eickhorn

John

[JohnZ]

And, naother Eickhorn, unit marked, slightly different chain configuration.

John

[Barry Brown]

A Gebr. Heller with an early RZM equipment code stamped on the snap clip, as is sometimes seen.