[Vaughan]

Hello,
i was most interested to find this thread (& the site) when searching google for "Horst Cottb"

I recently purchased a 1st Luft dagger from a friend & fellow collector that arrived 4 days ago. It is made by Gebr Heller & has a 31 stamped on the throat. Whilst examining it for a corresponding stamp on the quillion I found that barely discernable was the following marking.

One one quillion "Horst Kp"

On the other what appeared to be "Collb 31"
"Gollb 31"
"Cottb 31"
"Gottb 31"

I have seen the number 31 stamped on a Heller 1st luft that Thomas T Wittman is selling & therefore assume that the number is probably a manufacturers number or (less likely) a unit number. Yours being marked with a "2"

Initially I assumed that Horst was an individuals name but this may not necessarily be correct. Further searches have revealed that there is a place in Germany called Horst. To confuse matters further there is a place in East Germany called Gollbogen for which "Gollb" may be an abbreviation.

I have come to no conclusion as yet & indeed this may prove to be impossible. However in light of the very similar markings on the DLV that you have I think that it is (unfortunately) most likely an identification of a group/unit rather than a specific individuals personalisation.

I shall be making some enquiries with friends who have much more experience than myself & if I am able to find anything definitive I will post it.