Original Item: Only One Available: The SS (Schutzstaffel) was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf AH. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of Germany eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS Dienstdolch (service dagger) was introduced in 1933. Early on, members of the SS were awarded their daggers during a ceremony at the Feldherrnhalle Memorial in Munich. The annual ritual, charged with mysticism and meant to evoke the traditions of medieval Teutonic knights, was held on 9 November, the date of the unsuccessful Munich Putsch of 1923. Both officers and enlisted men wore the identical dagger until 1936. After this time, only enlisted men wore the M1933 dagger.

The SS Dagger was originally equipped with nickel crossguards with an ebony wood grip. The black grip contained a National eagle with swas insignia recessed in the center area and an ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) button inset at the top. On early examples the scabbard shell surface was factory blackened using a metal bluing process and had nickel mounts. The SS blade was a polished type containing the SS motto, Meine Ehre Heisst Treue (My Honor is Loyalty). Early examples were mostly hand-fit. Production of later examples was more standardized, using cheaper, nickel-plated fittings with black painted scabbard shells. They could be held with a standard belt hanger, or a much rarer vertical hanger.

This is a very early 1935 dated RZM marked M33 SS dagger, which were originally produced in the early style, so one might refer to this as a "transitional" example. It has the solid nickel mountings and district number on the cross guard. It is RZM marked, and contractor 188 has unfortunately never been identified, though it is a known maker of these early RZM SS daggers.

The blade on this fantastic pre-war production dagger is in excellent condition, still showing full original factory final polish grind cross grain on both sides, something we almost never see! This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is the usual runner wear on both sides, and some minor oxidation staining, but nothing major. It has not been sharpened like some were by USGI's, and still has the original factory edge. The etched SS motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue (My honor is loyalty) is crisp, though cleaning has removed much of the factory darkening, which now is more of a gray color. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower crossguard contour, and there is just a bit of wiggle in the hilt.

The rear of the dagger still has clear RZM markings etched on the ricasso:

((ᛋᛋ))

188 / 35

((RZM))

This indicates the maker and date of production, 1935. The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. Unfortunately, there are no records for the SS RZM numbers, and this maker is unknown.

The crossguards of this dagger and tang nut are in good condition throughout, and are of the earliest solid nickel silver construction. They have smooth surfaces, good crisp edges and precise accent grooves. They show just a bit of overall oxidation, which gives them a "warm" look, opposed to the cold "blue" look of chrome plating. There is also some verdigris depositing where the guards meet the wood of the grip. The cross guard is marked with a Roman numeral I on the side, for the third SS district. There is no lifting of the finish, showing these are indeed solid nickel silver. We did attempt to get the tang nut off to look at the grip markings, but the nut is seized on the tang, and we did not want to damage it.

The ebony grip is a nice example showing in very good shape, showing wear consistent with service, and is with many we see, there are cracks near the guards, and some chunks missing on the front side next to the cross guard. The ebony wood is unfortunately brittle, and the treatment used to give it a uniform look exacerbates this, which is why so many are broken like this. The color is very good, and wood grain can be seen. The symbol button is positioned at about 7:00 o'clock, as it should be. The silvered SS symbol and double circles around them have a nice matching patina with the nickel still intact, with a little verdigris and complete enamel. The nickel grip eagle is the "high-necked" type with the beak pointing slightly up. It remains in crisp condition, showing little wear to the bird's head, breast and wing feathering and to the talons, wreath or swas.

The scabbard shell is a solid example, with a straight steel shell showing little to no denting or other damage. The shell originally had a black "anodized" blued finish, which was then lacquered to protect it. It looks like during service the lacquer and finish wore away completely, and the body of the scabbard was then finished with the black enamel used later in the war. Since then, the scabbard saw additional use and wear, and there is a fantastic pattern of crazing and checking, so this was definitely a period refinish. The matching solid nickel silver scabbard mounts are in good condition, with a lightly oxidized patina. The lower ball is a bit dented in, common with the softer nickel alloy, and there is also denting on the sides. All four dome headed screws are still present and in good shape.

Attached to the scabbard is a very nice leather belt hanger clip, which is the wartime style with plated steel fittings, and to a belt loop with an plated steel D-ring. The leather has the correct black finish, which does show wear from use, mostly wrinkling to the leather, but no real flaking of the finish. The fittings are in very good shape, with just a bit of verdigris in areas and some light oxidation. The plated steel belt clip is marked with marked with a "barred A" followed by D.R.G.M. (Deutsches Reiches Gebrauchs Musterschutz) - meaning it is a protected patented design under the Reich Government. This design was registered to the owner of the "Barred A" trademark, F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, a large maker of belts, buttons, and other accoutrements. The clip also has the RZM code M5/8 for Assmann, correct for a plated steel example. The belt loop is in similar condition shape, showing just a bit of wear to the finish. Really a nice honest used hanger with belt loop.

This is a great chance to own an lovely SS dagger from the pre-war period, from a maker that has yet to be identified. Complete with a lovely scabbard and belt loop hanger, this dagger is ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 8 3/4"
Overall length: 13 3/4”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 10”