Original Item: Only One Available. This very good condition mid-late war period produced NSKK Dagger has nickel-plated fittings throughout, and is fitted with an exceptionally good blade. This example was made by the the well-regarded Solingen-based firm of Anton Wingen, Jr., Stahlwarenfabrik.

These daggers are identical to the SA dagger, except they have a black finished scabbard. The guards and tang nut are nickel plated alloy, probably zinc or some other "pot metal", and have most of the plating intact, with just a bit of oxidation near the grips. The guards do not show any major chipping or dents, just the usual effects of age and some flaking in areas. The steel pommel nut still retains the plating very well, showing just a bit of oxidation around the edges. The hilt is still relatively tight on the blade, with a bit of wobble in the crossguard.

The grip is a fine product having a fine reddish colored mahogany tone in the surfaces and medium center ridge construction. This grip is in very good condition with great grain, and fits the crossguards well. There is some pressure denting present, as well as some cracking near the crossguard, common due to the stain used on the wood. There is also a chunk missing next to the crossguard on the rear. The SA / NSKK button itself is nicely set having fully intact translucent enameling, and the plating intact with some verdigris and oxidation as shown. The details are still there to the inlaid nickel eagle, including the beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swas.

The blade of this example is in near excellent condition and retains almost all of its factory final polish grind crossgrain. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There do not appear to be any major rust issues aside from some small areas of past light staining, now cleaned away. There is also the usual runner wear and swirl marks from cleaning. The blade tip is unbent, and the original factory edge is still present on most of the blade, however there is a section with some bending on one side about 4 inches long, like the edge was scraped along a piece of metal or used to hit something. The acid-etched Alles für Deutschland (Everything for Germany) SA motto is deep and crisp, with a fine frosted background that is retained at about 50%. This is really a lovely blade that looks great!

This example was made by Anton Wingen, Jr., Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware Factory) of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. The rear is marked with both the RZM contract information and their "Standing Knight" trademark logo :

((RZM))
M7 / 51
1938
(Standing Knight)

Founded in 1888 and registered with Solingen Authorities in 1901, this company first became popular during WWI when their high quality hunting and combat knives became popular with the troops. The company continued operation after WWII, stopping production in 1995, and closing in 1997. They manufactured SA and NSKK daggers during WWII, first with their trademark and later with RZM code M7/51, per J. Anthony Carter's excellent book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout and is the mid-war style, which has a black enamel lacquered steel body. This is still in very good shape, with the finish very well retained, and just a few small dents and chips. We rarely see them this good, and there is also a bit of crazing and checking in the finish, only achieved after decades, so this is definitely not a refinished example. The upper and lower fittings are nickel-plated steel, with a great look and just some very light wear, though the lower ball is dented in a bit, even common on steel fitted examples.. The throat nicely matches the crossguards, and all fittings have their original dome headed screws.

Attached to the hanger ring on the scabbard is a nice later pattern belt hanger, with nickel plated steel hardware and black finished leather. The leather is in good condition, showing a wear and wrinkling to the finish, and some cracking around the scabbard ring. It is maker marked (RZM) L2 / 338 / 41, indicating 1941 manufacture, though we cannot identify the maker. The fully functional spring clip on the end is marked with (RZM) code M5 / 71 for Overhoff & Cie. of Lüdenscheid, whose OLC in a diamond trademark is also present.

A lovely NSKK dagger from a desirable Solingen maker with a great blade and original scabbard with hanger. Ready to display!

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

History of the SA and NSKK-

The SA or Brown Shirts, were a private political formation which Adolf AH and the NSDAP used to maintain order at organized Party meetings and demonstrations. The group was formed in 1921, and grew to a huge force of nearly 3,000,000 men by the later 1930's. To instill esprit de corps, as well as create employment for the Blade City of Solingen, it was decided each SA man would carry a dagger with his Brown Shirt uniform. Huge quantities needed to be produced to accommodate the demand. The dagger initially was produced of hand-fitted nickel mounts with attractive finished wood grip and brown anodized (a bluing process) finished scabbard.

The blade was etched with the SA motto, Alles für Deutschland. Examples produced prior to 1935 were stamped with the German sector of the SA group on reverse lower crossguard. Later examples underwent standardization through the RZM ministry. These pieces were produced of cheaper plated zinc-base fittings and scabbards were simply painted brown.

Prior to his "unmasking" as a traitor, Ernst Röhm was the leader of the SA. In 1934, he distributed approximately 100,000 SA daggers with his personal inscription on the reverse blade. These daggers were to honor individuals who had served with the SA prior to December, 1931. Other than the inscription, these pieces were identical to the standard M1933 SA dagger. After the Röhm purge, the inscription was ordered to be removed. Many examples were returned to the factory for grinding. Others were simply ground in the field by whatever means were available. Examples will occasionally be encountered with remnants of the original inscription remaining on the blade, but mostly none will remain. Some blades exist with an intact inscription, reflecting only the removal of the Röhm signature. Very very rarely is an example seen with a full, untouched inscription, as the holder would have surely risked a charge of treason.

After the purge, the NSKK, which had been a part of the SA, was split off into a separate organization. They retained the same daggers as the SA, however now used a black painted scabbard, and their officer's daggers had a few differences as well. Many already had SA daggers, so these had the scabbards painted black over the original brown anodized finish.