Description
Product Description: This Heinrich Himmler SS Dagger is an extraordinary object, of the highest caliber of desirability. It’s a textbook original, made by the firm of Carl Eickhorn in Solingen, a maker known for their high quality standard. This wonderful dagger features a near mint blade that retains factory cross-graining along the entire length on both sides. The front of the blade is etched with the SS motto, and the reverse has the rare and sought-after Himmler presentation inscription with signature. Both of these are nicely acid etched. The reverse ricasso has the typical small Eickhorn maker mark, which is set closer to the handle than on the standard daggers, to accommodate the inscription. The handle is beautiful, with expected early features including solid nickel guards. The underside of the lower guard has a benchmark stamp of “8.” The black ebony grip still shows a very nice fit to the guards, with one small chip on the reverse from swelling due to the tight fit to the guards. There is also one very small chip next to the eagle’s wing, again a result of the nearly perfect fit of the eagle and the wooden grip swelling. The pommel nut appears to have not been turned since this left the factory. This exceptionally nice Heinrich Himmler SS Dagger is complete with a nearly perfect scabbard. The steel scabbard body still retains virtually all of the factory black anodizing, as well as the factory Zapon lacquer. The scabbard fittings are nickel, matching the handle, with the lower drag having taken on that rose-silver appearance that the Himmler daggers can be found with. The suspension ring retains a correct early unmarked hanger. The hanger has a functional spring clip and shows some normal age crazing and minor flaking to the surface. Overall, this is just a fantastic dagger that would be nearly impossible to upgrade. It is in outstanding, excellent/near mint condition.
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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