Original Item: Only One Available: The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') 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 NSDAPsm and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS 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 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 SS sigrunne button inset at the top. On early examples the scabbard shell surface was factory blackened using a metal bluing process. The scabbard had nickel mounts. The SS blade was a polished type containing the SS motto, Meine Ehre Heisst Treue (My Honor is Loyalty). Early examples bore one of three district stampings on the lower reverse crossguard of I, II, or III. 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 great example of the early style of dagger, complete with a scabbard and rare vertical hanger! The blade is marked on the reverse with the Heinrich Böker & Co., Baumwerk "losenge" style trademark logo, with BÖKER / SOLINGEN surrounding the famous "Baum" (Tree) logo. The company is a famous manufacturer founded in 1869 in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. The company exists today, and has a long and storied history of top quality blade production. Knives made by this maker are highly desirable, and extremely rare on the market. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

The blade remains mostly bright and still retains lots of the original factory crossgrain, something we rarely see on SS Daggers. There are some small age spots and staining, but no signs of major oxidation or cleaning. The blade also has the usual light runner marks, and still grades in very good condition. The SS motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue (Loyalty is my Honor) is crisp but with only minor wear, and almost all of the factory blackening is in the letter fonts in the backgrounds. The edge of the blade does not show any non factory sharpening, and is still in excellent condition. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower crossguard contour, and is solid in the grip.

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. The upper guard is marked with a Roman numeral I. This indicates issue in the 1st SS District. It also is marked on the blade side with 46982, most likely the operating number of the owner. There is some light wear, as well as oxidation, but no lifting or plating loss, showing that they are solid nickel alloy.

The ebony grip is a nice example showing in great shape except for a slight chipout on the obverse near the cross guard. Early examples such as this were hand fit, which could result in cracking over time. The color is very good, and wood grain can be seen. The symbol button is positioned at about 7:00 o'clock, and the enamel surfaces are very good. The silvered SS symbol and double circles around them have a nice matching patina with the nickel still intact, with a little verdigris. 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 (hook cross), though there is some verdigris.

The scabbard shell is a solid example being straight as an arrow with a few tiny dents. The original black "anodized" finish is still mostly present, and even much of the original lacquer coating protectant. There is some wear to the finish and oxidation where the lacquer has flaked off. The matching solid nickel silver scabbard mounts are in good condition. The lower ball has some small dents, though it is not split. The weaker nickel alloy used in early models (later ones used steel) is unfortunately prone to denting.

The scabbard is held securely in the extremely rare brown leather vertical hanger, topped with a nickel hanger clip. The leather is in good condition, though it does have finish wear in areas. The leather is still soft, and the securing strap still functions with an intact buckle. The rivets holding it together were both replaced with brass screws with nuts on the rear, dressed flush. These do not look to have been modified any time recently.

An excellent chance to own a good condition SS dagger by a legendary Solingen blade maker, with an extremely rare marked and dated hanger.

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