Original German WWII Rare Model 1936 Officer's Chained SS Dagger with Type I Chain & Scabbard

Original Item: Only One Available: The SS (Schutzstaffel or 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 Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of Germany eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.

The SS Dienstdolch (service dagger), also called the SS Ehrendolch (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. After this time, only enlisted men wore the M1933 dagger, while officers and NCOs who had served 1933 and prior would receive the "Chained" version that we have here. These are quite a bit more rare and desirable than the Enlisted version.

It should be noted that as patterned, the M1936 "Chained" SS daggers did not have any maker or RZM markings on the back of the dagger, and were totally unmarked. However officers and senior NCOs who already had M33 daggers often wanted to keep their original daggers, and then would save on the cost by only purchasing the chained scabbards, which were available separately to those qualified for the honor. This is why it is not uncommon at all to see maker marked daggers in Chained scabbards.

Additionally, the chained center "ramp" and top fittings, chains, and "Wotan's knot" end clips all had several different patterns, and could be combined with either "anodized" or enameled steel shells. The bottom fittings could be solid nickel alloy or plated steel. To further complicate things, the various "Types" were produced concurrently. For more information on this please see Exploring The Dress Daggers and Swords of the German ᛋᛋ by Thomas T. Wittmann.

The SS Dagger was originally equipped with nickel crossguards with an ebony wood grip. The black grip contained a National eagle with swas insignia recessed in the center area and an SS doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) (ᛋᛋ) roundel 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 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.

This fine mid production example is unmarked on the blade, which is the correct official pattern. Blades that have maker marks were usually retrofitted early examples, and not officially bestowed as chained daggers. The blade remains bright and still retains almost all of the factory final polish cross grain, visible throughout the blade surface. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There is some runner wear on the blade, as well as some light scratching in areas, but it still grades in excellent condition. The edge is correctly unsharpened, the tip is intact, and there are just a few tiny dents on the edge. There is a bit of staining on the obverse right next to the crossguard, but otherwise it is free of oxidation. The etched SS motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue (Loyalty is my Honor) is still crisp and fully legible, with the factory darkening and matte texture still very well retained. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower crossguard contour, and is solid in the grip. This is definitely one of the best chained dagger blades we have ever seen.

The crossguards of this dagger and tang nut are in very good condition throughout, and are of the mid-production style nickel-plated alloy construction. They have smooth surfaces, good crisp edges and precise accent grooves, and an overall lightly aged patina from oxidation of the plating. We do not see any cracking or areas of plating lifting, definitely a rarity on the mid war pattern fittings. We did remove the handle to check the inside of the guards as customers often request, however we did not see any markings molded into the alloy. The tang nut is nickel-plated steel, and is in very good shape shape, showing just a bit of turning, though the plating is almost completely gone, and now the surface is stained. The hilt is overall secure on the tang of the blade when the nut is hand-tightened.

The ebony grip is a very good example showing a great color and grain, with just some light scratches and a bit of wear near the cross guard on the reverse. We cannot see any cracks, which is definitely rare, as the ebony wood is unfortunately brittle, and the treatment used to give it a uniform look exacerbates this. The symbol button is positioned at about 7:00 o'clock, as it should be. The silvered ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune symbol and double circles around them have a nice matching lightly oxidized patina with the nickel still intact, with a little verdigris and very lightly worn enamel. The nickel grip eagle is the "high-necked" type with the beak pointing slightly up. It remains in crisp condition, showing little wear to the bird's head, breast and wing feathering and to the talons, wreath or swas. There is just a bit of verdigris around it, showing that it definitely is a nickel eagle.

The scabbard the dagger features great steel shell, which is completely straight dent free, looking to be the type that originally had a black "anodized" finish, which would have been coated with clear lacquer to protect it. The scabbard is fitted with a plated iron central ramp that is retained by a single screw on the lower side of the scabbard. This style has the three raised intertwined swas (hook cross) designs on both sides that hare quite deeply impressed and a bit more roughly executed than those seen on the double screw type. The chape fitting is non-magnetic plated annoy, which now shows loss of the plating and past oxidation, while the locket is nickel plated steel, which shows a similar oxidized look. There is no dent on the lower ball that we can see, and all five retaining screws are still present, showing oxidation.

The chain attached to the scabbard is definitely what is considered the Type I, or sometimes called the Type A. It features nickel-plated die stamped steel links, which have rectangular link inlets with squared ends. The connecting rings are also plated steel, and the rings connecting to the end clip are square (Type II were tapered). Both the lower and upper chain are made up of alternating ᛋᛋ and Totenkopf (Skull) links, which do not show any darkening or "burnishing" in the centers. The first link of the upper chain is lightly stamped with the SS-Kulturzeichen proof marking (looks like two overlapping ᛋ runes), and it is the type with more deeply stamped with sharper rune angles, correct for a Type I chain. There are no casting marks on the sides of the links, confirming they are die stamped.

The nickel-plated steel Type I "Wotan's Knot" cloverleaf securing clip has a good working snap hook with the original spring. The loop of the clover leaf over the clip is the correct open type used on the Type I chains, and the DRG marking on the spring clip can be seen in the hole. The holes in the knot are also the correct tear drop shape, not round.

This is an excellent and very rare chance to own a very good condition Model 1936 SS Chained Officer's dagger, which has no signs of being "messed with". We have gone over it in depth to ensure that it is period correct. Ready to be the centerpiece of any WWII Edged weapon collection!

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