Original Item: Only One Available. The National Socialist Flyers Corps (Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps; NSFK) was a paramilitary organization of the NSDAP Party that was founded 15 April 1937 as a successor to the German Air Sports Association; the latter had been active during the years when a German air force was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. The NSFK organization was based closely on the para-military organization of the Sturmabteilung (SA). A similar group was the National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK).

During the early years of its existence, the NSFK conducted military aviation training in gliders and private airplanes. Friedrich Christiansen, originally a Generalleutnant then later a Luftwaffe General der Flieger, was NSFK Korpsführer from 15 April 1937 until 26 June 1943, followed by Generaloberst Alfred Keller until 8 May 1945.

Like all of the NSDAP German paramilitary organizations, they were issued various ceremonial items to instill loyalty, such as this early production NSFK Glider Pilot's Dagger, complete with scabbard and belt hanger.

This example looks to have seen light to moderate service, and has a fantastic lightly worn patina. This is a later style example, which is fit almost entirely with aluminum, either painted or with a matte / brushed finish. The The pommel cap is the three stage variety, still crisp throughout the edges with some dents and scratches from use.

The crossguard has a very crisp center block featuring engraved circles with a swas (hook cross) on either side. The crossguard shows only light wear, with a bit of denting on the ends. The crossguard arms are the tripartite type, with a downward sweep. The original leather blade buffer is present, and looks to be some type of simulated leather. The grip itself is made from solid aluminum with a simulated "Moroccan Leather" texture on it, and has been finished in glue. It has the same slightly bulbous in the center and tapering toward either end as the leather wrapped wooden handles.

The blade is in very good condition, looking to have seen a good amount of service and subsequent cleaning. This has made the factory final polish grind cross grain faint on most of the blade, however there is still a bit near the cross guard and other parts of the blade. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The tip of the blade is is intact, though a bit rounded from cleaning, and the edge is correctly unsharpened.

The reverse ricasso of this lovely dagger is maker marked with an etched oval trademark logo, which is a bit worn, but still can be read:

F. & A. HELBIG
* Gaesler *
STEINBACH (Kr. M.)

F. & A. Helbig, Messerfabrik (knife factory) in Steinbach Kreis Meiningen, was organized by Frieda & Alfred Helbig, succeeding F. & W. Helbig shortly after 1928. They prospered manufacturing daggers during the Third Reich era. They made daggers for the DLV, and made some crackle-finished Aluminum NSFK Glider Pilot's Knives. They also made many swords and daggers for the Luftwaffe, They used several trademark logos, and the lightly etched version without borders was the one usually seen on the Luftwaffe Swords. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout and the main body, like the handle, is made from aluminum with a simulated leather texture on the surface, which was then painted blue. It still retains almost all of the paint, and there is a dent on the reverse near the throat, which has not marred the paint. Like the hilt mounts, the scabbard body is fitted with bright aluminum with a somewhat matte finish, retained by 4 flush mount screws, all of which are present. They show light wear, with no major damage. The throat is stamped with the correct NSFK Icarus insignia, with a swas at his legs. Attached to the hanger ring is an leather hanger with an aluminum hanger clip, which is in very good service used condition.

This is a lovely example of an NSFK Dagger, made by a highly desirable Solingen maker, and complete with scabbard and hanger! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7"
Blade Style: Spear Point Dagger
Overall length: 12“
Crossguard: 3 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 8 1/8"