Description
Product Description: We are pleased to be able to offer this exquisite Social Welfare Leaders Dagger. The bright blade retains all of its factory cross-graining along the entire length of the blade. Few very small marks on the blade can be seen when closely examined. The guard and pommel retain all of their factory silver plating with no lifting, damage, or discoloration. The yellow-orange trylon grip is completely intact, with no damage. The grip has taken on a very nice orange to yellow transition from the obverse to the reverse of the grip. This color change has occurred from the dagger being exposed to sunlight for a period of time, likely while being displayed on a collectors wall for many years. A typical Heer dagger knot is wrapped around the grip. The plated scabbard on this Social Welfare Leaders Dagger remains in excellent condition with no dents or damage, and retains all of its plating. The scabbard hangers are the much less encountered round style. The collecting community has believed these round hangers to be associated to Social Welfare, whereas the more commonly encountered rectangular slotted type have been associated with the Red Cross. This is a scarce Social Welfare Leaders Dagger, in choice condition, that would make a fantastic addition to any dagger collection!
Historical Description: Ceremonial dress daggers for leaders of the German Red Cross and Social Welfare organizations were introduced in 1938. These two dagger types were of the same overall pattern. Period documentation on the differences between the two patterns is scant, but collectors have identified some specific features that differentiate between Red Cross Leaders and Social Welfare Leaders daggers. Most notably, Red Cross daggers had square holes on the scabbard rings, while Social Welfare daggers had round holes. The dagger hangers were also different, with red accents on facings used for Red Cross hangers and blue accents on Social Welfare hangers. The Red Cross hangers used round buckles, and the Social Welfare hangers used square buckles. These daggers were generally not maker marked, and production is believed to have ceased in 1940, though they remained in use until the end of the war.
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