I have picked up a Zeitler 2nd Luft Dagger with an unusual TM. Zeitler an Austrian maker in Wien generally used a little different Tm than this one I believe. It looks as if each letter has been stamped or maybe engraved. A little help from the experts please.

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The fittings all look to be WKC and the scabbard I guess to be Pack. Pretty interesting to see how they finished the scabbard band ends.

Mike the few times I have seen Zeitlers mark (Army Dagger) as I remember it is stamped but all at one time - this mark looks highly suspect to me. Let’s see what some of the other members think.

Here's an Army mark by Zeitler on one that I own (that should have been contemporary with the 2nd Luft).......

Mine is etched and with a different style of lettering.......

It bothers me, too. The mark........
Denny

Gents,

This marking does not seem correct to me either. Here is another Zeitler marking on a bayonet. This two line example is also a single die stamp.

George

Hi Fellas,

Here's my Zeitler mark from a short late issue Feuerwehr bayonet. The blade is nice but the overall qualty particularly the plating is near non existent. For what it's worth I've never seen a Zeitler mark like the one on Mike's Luft. Has anyone else?

Look at the style of stamp made on the 2nd Luft. The "Z" and other letters used is Much different than any of the stamped bayonet (or my Army for that matter) markings. Obviously the Luft has been "post-war" embellished.......
Denny

Thanks guys for all the examples. I don't think there is any doubt that this TM was done without the benefit of a single die factory stamp or even the correct etch. Most likely a left handed monkey in some garage somewhere in Czechoslovakia. It's such a shame too, because I thought I had another Austrian maker to add to my 2nd Luft collection.

Mike,

Unfortunately, this Zeitler marking on your blade reminds me of the old 1960s markings found on reproduction and parts daggers. Remember the "SOLINGEN 1938" stamp that was longitudinally placed on 2nd Model Luftwaffe daggers in this same manner? I am refering to the ones with the leather scabbards that were made from various bits and pieces, sometimes referred to as "parts" daggers in later years. These things were available for around $12 in gun magazines in the early 1960s.

Here is another Zeitler marking. This one is a die stamp logo on an Austrian M95 bayonet. These logos will also be found on Zeitler swords from WWI and the interwar period.

George

Mike, I erronously told you that the ZEITLER mark on a period 2nd Luft is stamped (becaus of haste and it is done so extremly crisp when you hold it in your hand) but looking through a magnifying glass, without any doubt it is etched. But have NEVER seen engraved up to now as it is done on the dagger shown by you here. I also have sent you a mail rgarding this matter. Kind regards,

Overall

Nice example, wotan. Is that an Eickhorn xguard on yours? Scabbard?
Denny

Wotan,

Very rare maker in the 2nd Luft and I guess the Army too! That is a great looking piece from what I can see! What hilt fittings were utilized on yours?

Mike
Mine are just like wotans maker mark