Our last JRB&M Featured Item, the rare Personalized 1st Model Luftwaffe dagger with double etched blade, sold during the first TEN MINUTES that it was posted on our website. This type of response from the collecting community is most encouraging and, perhaps an incoming unedited letter from the purchaser which arrived by FedEx yesterday is in order.

It has been great talking with you and I appreciate the opportunity to own the above dagger. Enclosed is the check we discussed. In 40 years working with you on these fine pieces I have found that I can always count on JRB&M to have the 'crème of the crop" in desirable edged weapons for the discriminating collector. I cannot count how many fine pieces you have helped me acquire over the years. Your descriptions are always right on target and I have found that your prices are the fairest of any dealers. You are always happy to help with advice gained from years of experience in Third Reich militaria and such direction has help me on a number of occasions when evaluating particular pieces.I wish you and your excellent staff great success and I am very pleased to be associated with JRB&M for such a considerable length of time and have always considered you a very good friend.

For our next featured item, we have selected another ultra-rare Third Reich dagger that very few even advanced collectors can claim to have in their personal collections - the highly desirable 2nd Model Navy "U-9" dagger by Robert Klaas. This actual dagger was recently purchased from advanced collector/author Vic Diehl, and the actual piece is shown in full-color on pages 298-303 of Vic's new reference book entitled, Deutsche Marinedolch by Vic and Hermann Hampe. Note that the condition of the entire dagger and blades is exceptional. This is an opportunity to own an extremely rare Third Erich dress dagger model that may not be offered again for a very long time, if ever.

Ultra-Rare 2nd Model "U-9" Navy Dagger by Robert Klaas.

Small stamped, two storks above Robert Klaas TM. As stated on page 354 of Exploring The Dress Daggers of the German Navy by Thomas T. Wittmann, "The Unterseeboot, U-9, was the legendary Imperial German vessel which startled the allies…[when] In 1914,..its commander, Kaptlt. Otto Weddigen summarily torpedoed and sunk three British cruisers, one after the other. Gilded brass, "generic" hilt fittings, as pictured on page 355 of the above reference, show light surface wear/age patina to highlights with much of the honey gold factory fire gilding remaining in the recesses of the eagle/swastika pommel and fouled anchor crossguard.

The off-white celluloid-over-wood grip shows minor surface wear with no visible cracks or chips and is complete with tight twisted brass wire wrap.

Plated double-etched blade grades EX++ showing only very minor surface wear/runner marks primarily to the obverse and reverse ricasso, but no gray speckling or nicks to the cutting edges. Obverse blade features a floral motif with a central raised fouled anchor with a well-detailed etch of a battle cruiser within a panel adjacent to the ricasso. The reverse blade features a floral motif adjacent to a 2 ½" frosted panel with a detailed etch of the Unterseeboot, U-9, under way at sea.

The stamped number, "U-9" is clearly visible on the port bow of the boat. Blade is complete with tan felt blade buffer pad. Both etched panels retain 100% of the light gray background frosting with no wear or oxidation.

Gilded brass lightning bolt scabbard retains much of the factory fire gilding with one faint "ping" to center obverse shell and a faint depression to the sides of the lower ball. The scabbard features well detailed oak leaf suspension and is complete with two side-mounted, done head throat retaining screws. Dagger is complete with an original Near MINT, later production 42cm, silver/gray, nylon portepee with no wear or age. Numerous color photographs of this superb ULTRA- RARE dagger appear on pages 298 - 303 of "Deutsche Marinedolche" by Hermann Hampe and Vic Diehl and additional black and white photographs are available on pages 354-357 of Exploring the Dress Daggers of the German Navy by Thomas Wittmann.

EX++ (25933) $9,300.

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