BACKGROUND: Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after Adolf Hitler ascension to power the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League), and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defence. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organizations functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. In 1936 the RLB introduced an Officer’s dagger for wear by the ranks of RLB-Führer to RLB-Präsident, and a Subordinates dagger for wear by the ranks of RLB-Truppmann to RLB-Obertruppmeister. In 1938 the RLB emblem was redesigned and the second pattern Officer’s and Subordinate daggers with the new emblem were introduced. Of Note: The RLB daggers were only accessible through the regional RLB headquarters for distribution to the smaller units and could not be obtained by commercial channels.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern, (circa 1938-1945), RLB Subordinates dagger features a roughly, 8 5/8" long, double edged, nickel/silver plated, drop forged steel construction blade with a raised central ridge. The blade is still quite clean and bright with light scabbard runner marks and lots of the original cross-graining still visible. The reverse ricasso is well marked with the acid etched manufacturers name and location. Nicely WKC marked. The leather washer is still intact. The dagger has a nickel/silver plated, die cast alloy cross guard featuring horizontally extended "wings" with three recessed and four raised horizontal lines and an obverse langet with a stylized "squat" national eagle clutching a circular encompassed, canted swastika on a slightly textured recessed field. The dagger has a nicely contoured ebony grip with a nickel/silver plated and enameled alloy, second pattern RLB emblem. The RLB emblem features an eight point, multi-ribbed sunburst pattern with a canted black enamel swastika superimposed to center. Small chip to the top of the grip. The dagger has a nickel/silver plated, oval, alloy pommel with a raised horizontal bead to the center. The dagger comes with a magnetic sheet metal scabbard with a nickel/silver plated bottom fitting and throat and a glossy black painted finish. The bottom fitting is secured to the scabbard by two small counter-sunk screws and the throat has a single retaining screw retaining screw to the reverse center. The scabbard has a brazed on hanger suspension ring with a triangular metal suspension loop securing a blackened leather hanger with a riveted on alloy retainer and a nickel/silver plated steel friction clip. The dagger is in overall good condition with all the components intact. Nice!