Description
Product Description: This Puma SA Dagger is a lovely example from the RZM period of production. The blade shows nice cross-graining, with some freckling and one small spot on the reverse. The ricasso is etched with the round Reichszeugmeisterei emblem and the maker code “M7/27” for Puma in Solingen, a desirable maker. The handle of this attractive dagger is textbook for this period of manufacture, with bright plated upper and lower guards that retain all of the original plating. The beautiful rosewood grip shows virtually no wear, and is free of cracks, chips, or other damage. The nickel inlaid eagle and enamel roundel are exceptionally clean and have great eye appeal. This desirable Puma SA Dagger is complete with its correct original brown painted scabbard. The scabbard is virtually pristine, nicely matching the handle. It retains all of the original nickel plating to the fittings and all of the factory applied glossy enamel paint on the scabbard body. The scabbard is straight, with no dents, and retains the suspension ring. Overall, this is a very nice SA dagger that displays wonderfully. The condition rates as excellent plus.
Historical Description: The “Sturmabteilung” (SA), formed in 1921, was the original paramilitary branch of the Nazi party. With the Nazi rise to power in 1933, a dress dagger was introduced for wear with the iconic “brown shirt” uniform. As the SA was a huge organization, with an eventual strength of close to three million men, there was a huge demand for these daggers, and they were produced by 123 different makers, from larger factories to small, cottage-industry workshops. The daggers featured a wood grip with an inset enameled SA emblem and the German national eagle and swastika emblem. The blade was etched with the motto of the SA, “Alles für Deutschland.” The early daggers were crafted with the utmost quality, in both workmanship and materials. Originally, the name and logo of each manufacturer was etched on the reverse of the blade. These early daggers featured hand-fitted nickel silver fittings, and scabbards that had an anodized coating. Prior to around 1935, the daggers were stamped with an SA group letter on the reverse of the cross-guard. In 1936, the Reichszeugmeisterie der NSDAP (RZM) organization began to standardize the manufacture of the SA dagger. Commercial type manufacturer markings were to be eliminated and replaced with the RZM logo as well as an RZM code to indicate the manufacturer. Late production daggers marked with RZM logos usually are made with plated zinc fittings and have aluminum grip eagles. Instead of the early anodizing process, later scabbards were simply painted. During the transitional period around 1936, many daggers were manufactured bearing the RZM logo and maker code in combination with the earlier type maker names and logos. These transitional daggers can be found with early or late features, or a mix of both.
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