Description
Product Description: A Bertram Numbered M33 SS Dagger in overall near mint condition. The blade on this Bertram Numbered M33 SS Dagger remains full length and unaltered and unsharpened. The blade has outstanding cross-grain running down the entire length of the blade, and zero chips to the original edge. A nice SS motto remains with most of the darkening intact.The dagger is maker marked with the classic C. Bertram Reinh & Sohn logo featuring the “hen and rooster” maker mark. The solid nickel silver upper and lower cross guards have a very pleasant uncleaned patina. The lower guard is stamped with “187123”, which is the original SS Mann’s SS number, which is extremely desirable in today’s market. This number is not currently researched, and will be left to the buyer to determine the owner’s identity. Additionally, the lower cross guard was marked “I” for the Munich district, which falls in place with the “1” in the middle of the SS membership number. The black ebony wood grip features a nicely inset nickel silver eagle and enamel SS roundel. The pommel nut appears untouched. The black anodized scabbard body retains most of its original anodizing, as well as most of the factory “Zapon” protective lacquer. The upper throat and lower drag fittings are also made of solid nickel silver with the same patina as found on the daggers guards. The screws of the scabbard fittings appear untouched. An originally attached early vertical black SS hanger is attached to the scabbard, with signs of light green verdigris build up from the leather contact with the high quality nickel fittings over many decades, surely proving it is not a recent additional to this dagger. This Bertram Numbered M33 SS Dagger is in untouched condition and is about as pure as they come, and is investment grade.
Historical Description: The Model 1933 (M33) SS dagger was first serviceable dagger produced for the SS. The design was derived from a 16thcentury Swiss hunting dagger called the “Holbein”. The M33 SS Dagger was worn by all ranks within the SS. Becoming a member of the SS was held in high respect during the Third Reich, and their daggers became a symbolic piece within its ranks. Every year on November 9th, the new SS men would pledge their full allegiance to the Führer (Adolf Hitler) in front of the Feldherrnhalle monument in Munich and receive their dagger as a symbol of that oath. The inscription on the blade “Mein Ehre Heißt Treue”, which translates to “My Honor is Loyalty”, was the motto of the SS.
Manufacturing for these daggers began late in 1933 and continued until 1942 when production of all daggers ceased to conserve materials and labor for the war effort. Today, collectors categorize these daggers into three main categories; Early, Transitional, and Late period. SS daggers produced from 1933 to early 1935 are early and have anodized scabbards, nickel fittings, and are generally of a higher workmanship. Transitional period daggers were produced from 1935 to 1938, are usually found with painted scabbards, plated fittings and RZM codes with their makers logo on the blade. Late period daggers were produced from 1938 to 1942 and are similar to the transitional period daggers in that they use plated fittings, painted scabbards but will only be found with the RZM logo and code on the blade.
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