PRE WW2 GERMAN DLV FLYERS DAGGER
History
The German Air Sports Association (Deutscher Luftsportverband, or DLV e. V.) was an organisation set up by the Nazi Party in March 1933 to establish a uniform basis for the training of military pilots. Its chairman was Herman Goring and its vice-chairman Ernst Rhom.
Since the Treaty of Versailles officially forbade Germany from building fighter planes of any sort, the German Air Sports Association used gliders to train men still officially civilians for the future Luftwaffe. The first steps towards the Luftwaffe's formation were undertaken just months after Adolf Hitler came to power. Hermann Göring, a World War 1 ace with 22 victories and the holder of the orden pour le Merite, became National Kommissar for aviation with former Deutsche Luft Hansa director Erhard Milch as his deputy. On 25 March 1933 the German Air Sports Association absorbed all private and national organizations, whilst retaining its 'sports' title. In April 1933 the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM – Reich Air Ministry) was established. The RLM was in charge of development and production of aircraft, and soon afterwards the test site or Erprobungsstelle at Rechlin became its testing ground, a military airfield that had been first established in August 1918. Göring's control over all aspects of aviation became absolute.
The German Air Sports Association was dissolved in 1937 and replaced with the National Socialist Flyers Corps, a corporation under public law and subordinate to Reichsluftfahrtminister Göring.
Product Descrition
This DLV Flyers Dagger is in exceptional condition for its age, The fittings are of Nickel Silver with Morrocan leather to the handle and scabbard. The dagger comes complete with its hanger. The blade is in excellent condition and is clearly maker marked to "Gebrudrer Heller", there is a production issue number 164 to the other side of the blade as shown in the images. The top of the scabbard has unit markings which are also shown in the images.
DLV Flyers Daggers rarely come onto the market nowadays and this one is in exceptional condition for its age.