PERSONAL GROUPING OF 11 DECORATIONS AND DOCUMENTS BELONGING TO WORLD WAR II GERMAN LUFTWAFFE STUKA PILOT AND GERMAN CROSS IN GOLD WINNER LIEUTENANT HEINZ SCHMITT

This hypothesis is further supported by the inscription appearing on the reverse side of the blade which reads "Ehrengeschent aus Ihrer Heimat - Sindlingen" (Honor Gift from Your Homeland) followed by the town name Sindlingen. Given Lieutenant Schmitt's youthful age, coupled with the short lived history of 10th PanzerJager Staffel, the 20 July to 20 September 1943 time frame must logically be when this dagger was presented.

Unrelated to the question of date, the above photo also serves to confirm the excellent condition of the silver portepee knot, which, while exhibiting a definite patina, is still fully intact and not frayed or cut in any way. For reference, the maker name appearing on the blade is P.D.LUNESCHLOSS - Soligen", who manufactured under the RZM number M7/14 and was well known for making top quality, engraved daggers. Incidentally, Soligen is less than 100 miles from Lieutenant Schmitt's home town of Sindlingen.

Pictured right is an enlarged photo of the cloth and metal hangers that come as an accessory with this dagger. As can be clearly seen, the hangers are in excellent condition with no cut, rips or missing hardware. Moreover, all of the snaps still work without difficulty and could be immediately employed as a second model Luftwaffe dagger hanger anytime after purchase.

Pictured left is a close up view of the special order, burnt orange handle, with wire grip, found on this item. As seen in the photo, the handle's condition is excellent for its age and requires no further edification in this web site.

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