The motto, "Zur Erinnerung An Meine Dienstzeit", means "In Memory of my Servicetime". The etch is a generic one for Luftwaffe personnel, as noted by the eagle on the right hand side.

The etch type is similar to that of Höller products, despite there being no makers mark. As far as originality, Höller etches tend to be much sloppier than many of the other manufacturers & that fact sometimes makes identification or authentication a little more difficult. I can't exactly say if the blade is period etched or not because I'm looking on a small phone screen, but I'm sure one other of my learned colleagues can say for sure.


GDC Gold Badge #290
GDC Silver Badge #310