Original German WWII Model 1933 SS Dagger by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen with Scabbard & Hanger - RZM 941 / 37 / ᛋᛋ

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 infamous Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAP and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS-Ehrendolch (SS honor 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 cross guards with an ebony wood grip. The black grip contained a National eagle with swas insignia recessed in the center area and an ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) 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.

The blade on this nice pre-war production dagger is in excellent condition, still showing the original factory final grind cross grain throughout both sides, something we almost never see! This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is a bit of runner wear, as we often see, as well as some scratches from cleaning, but nothing major. There are just a few small areas of staining, which have been left alone to avoid any damage to the grain. The blade has not been sharpened like some were by USGI's, and still has the original factory edge and intact tip. The etched SS motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue (My honor is loyalty) is crisp with almost all of the factory darkening present in the black letter fonts in the backgrounds. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower crossguard contour. This is really one of the best blades we have EVER seen on an SS dagger.

The rear is marked with the RZM and SS contract information:

((RZM))
941 / 37 / ᛋᛋ

This marking indicates the dagger was made by SS RZM Dagger contractor "941" in 1937, which records show is the legendary maker Carl Eickhorn, Stahlwarenfabrik (steel ware factory), located in Solingen, the "City of Blades" in western Germany. They are known producer of early and late SA, NSKK, SS, and other daggers, being one of the preeminent makers of the time. Often the RZM codes for SS items are not known, as they used different SS exclusive numbers, but there were "transitional" daggers by Eickhorn, which had both the trademark and the RZM code.

According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The fittings of this dagger are the later plated alloy type, and both the cross guard and pommel show damage to the plating, with the cross guard having some sections that have flaked away. This has allowed the base metal to oxidize, probably from contact with moisture and possibly chemicals from the wooden grip. The pommel nut shows more of the original plating, and also is non-magnetic, made from the same alloy material as the rest of the fittings. As these are mid-war, there is no district numeral stamped into the cross guard. The hilt fittings are still tight on the tang, with no wobble.

The ebony grip on this dagger is still in very good condition, with medium center ridge construction. It does however have chipping near the cross guard on both sides, with a larger crack on the rear, as well as an area that was previously repaired. There is also a repair at the bottom of the front side as well. The black dyeing process for the grips unfortunately causes the wood to become brittle, so damage is common, even if carefully stored. The symbol button is positioned at about 7:00 o'clock, as it should be, and is still tightly attached. The silvered ((ᛋᛋ)) doppelte Siegrune symbol and double circles are still clear, with just a bit of oxidation around the edge and fully intact black enamel. The grip eagle is the "high-necked" type with the beak pointing slightly up, and looks to be made from nickel or nickel plated brass. It remains in good condition, showing very little wear, just a bit of light scratching and a few dents.

The scabbard shell is a solid example, completely straight and undented, with very little damage of any kind. It is the correct black enamel paint finish, with the expected crazing and checking from age. There are some chips, but they are very minor. The matching nickel plated steel scabbard mounts are in very nice condition, showing just a bit of marring to the plating and oxidation. The lower ball shows just tiny bit of denting, definitely a rarity, as even the steel examples usually are bashed in. All four dome head screws are intact, and do not look to have been messed with.

Attached to the hanger ring on the scabbard is a nice later pattern belt hanger, with nickel plated steel hardware and black finished leather. It is 5 3/8" long overall, over twice as long as we usually see. The leather is in good condition, showing a wear and wrinkling to the finish, and some cracking around the scabbard ring and buckle. The fully functional spring clip on the end is marked with (RZM) code M5 / 71 for Overhoff & Cie. of Lüdenscheid, whose OLC in a diamond trademark is also present.

This is a great chance to own a very good condition SS dagger from the late pre-war period with a magnificent blade made by the most legendary of ALL Solingen makers, complete with scabbard and belt hanger! Ready to display!

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

The RZM, Reichzeugmeisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster), was officially founded in June 1934 in Munich by the NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker's Party), as a Reich Hauptamt, (State Central Office), and was based on the earlier SA Quartermaster's Department. The registry was was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin.

The functions of the RZM were not only to procure and distribute items to Party formations, but also to approve chosen designs and to act as a quality control supervisor to ensure items manufactured for the Party met required specification and were standardized. Starting in late 1934 items manufactured for the SS came under the quality control of the RZM and as a result were to be marked with the RZM/SS approval/acceptance mark. Shortly after this, the SS started using a separate listing of contractors, and in 1943 the Waffen-SS assumed full control over their uniform item production and no longer fell under the authority of the RZM.