Pre-1938 independent republic of Austria air force officer’s dress dagger.

Used prior to the Anschluss with Nazi Germany in 1938.

Manufacturer mark in the blade, Zeitner Wien VIII. (Zeitner in Vienna, 8th district.)

Once Austrian-born Adolf Hitler completed the unification of his birth country with Germany (Anschluss), the Nazi government had the incorporated territory renamed. The name Austria (Österreich in German, meaning "Eastern Realm") was at first replaced by "Ostmark", referring to the 10th century Marcha orientalis. The change was meant to refer to Austria as the new "eastern march" of the Reich.

Following the annexation of Austria by the Nazis the Austrian Air Force was integrated into the Third Reich Luftwaffe and Austrian pilots were issued German Luftwaffe uniforms and dress daggers; aircrafts received standard German markings.