Original German WWII Transitional NSKK Dagger by F.W. Höller of Solingen with Relic Scabbard

Original Item: Only One Available. This very nice condition mid war transitional period produced NSKK Dienstdolch (Service Dagger) has nickel-plated fittings throughout, and is fitted with a very nice blade, which did suffer damage to the tip at some point. This example was made by the the desirable Solingen-based firm of F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory. We have had many items by this maker, but very few SA or NSKK daggers, as they seem to have not made many compared to other makers. It comes with an original transitional pattern scabbard, which is in "relic" condition, showing deterioration from age and use.

These daggers are identical to the SA dagger, except they have a black finished scabbard. The guards and tang nut are nickel plated alloy, probably zinc or some other "pot metal", and both show some loss of the plating due to oxidation and wear. As we often see, they are oxidized where the wood contacts the fittings, as the dye used reacts with the metal. The pommel nut looks to be plated aluminum, and is missing most of the plating. The grip is somewhat loose on the blade, as the tang is not properly seated in the cross guard.

The grip is a fine product having a fine dark reddish colored mahogany tone in the surfaces and medium center ridge construction. This grip is in very good condition with great grain, and fits the crossguards well. There is some pressure denting and a few small stains, with no chipping we can see, and there is a crack through the symbol button area. The SA / NSKK button itself is nicely set having fully intact enamel, and the plating intact with some verdigris and oxidation as shown. The details are still there to the inlaid nickel eagle, including the beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swas.

The blade of this example is in very good condition and has the factory final polish grind crossgrain easily visible throughout the blade. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. There are some areas of speckled oxidation staining, which have been left intact to avoid marring the blade. There is also the usual runner wear and swirl marks from cleaning. The original factory edge is intact, with no sharpening, however the tip of the dagger looks to have broken off long ago, and the end of the blade was re-profiled into a rounded shape. It now is about 3/8" shorter than it should be. The acid-etched Alles für Deutschland (Everything for Germany) SA motto is deep and crisp, with a fine frosted background that is retained almost completely.

The rear of the dagger is etched with the maker's name in an arc over their location:

F. W. HÖLLER
SOLINGEN

This is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons. F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), located in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. During the WWII Period they manufactured many SA and NSKK daggers, both with their "thermometer" trademark and later with the RZM code M7/33. There were however also a small number made during the transitional period with a simple two line address marking. They also produced numerous 98K bayonets and other edged weapons. The firm was founded in 1866, and registered in Solingen in 1883. By 1900 ownership had passed to Emil Höller, and it continued manufacture after WWII, finally closing in 1974. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS.

The scabbard the mid-war transitional style, which was produced with black enamel lacquered steel body fitted with solid nickel alloy mounts. It is now in "relic" condition, with the steel body still straight and dent free, but missing over 75% of the original paint, now showing oxidation to the steel body. It also is missing the top and inside of the throat fitting, with both screws also missing, and the hanger ring has broken off. The lower nickel fitting still has both screws, though as we often see the lower ball is dented in due to the softer alloy. Please note that as the inner throat is missing, the scabbard will not hold the dagger securely, and falls off if you grab the handle.

A very nice transitional NSKK dagger from a rare maker with a re-shaped blade and relic condition scabbard. Ready to research and display!

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

History of the SA and NSKK-

The SA or Brown Shirts, were a private political formation which Adolf AH and the NSDAP used to maintain order at organized Party meetings and demonstrations. The group was formed in 1921, and grew to a huge force of nearly 3,000,000 men by the later 1930's. To instill esprit de corps, as well as create employment for the Blade City of Solingen, it was decided each SA man would carry a dagger with his Brown Shirt uniform. Huge quantities needed to be produced to accommodate the demand. The dagger initially was produced of hand-fitted nickel mounts with attractive finished wood grip and brown anodized (a bluing process) finished scabbard.

The blade was etched with the SA motto, Alles für Deutschland. Examples produced prior to 1935 were stamped with the German sector of the SA group on reverse lower crossguard. Later examples underwent standardization through the RZM ministry. These pieces were produced of cheaper plated zinc-base fittings and scabbards were simply painted brown.

Prior to his "unmasking" as a traitor, Ernst Röhm was the leader of the SA. In 1934, he distributed approximately 100,000 SA daggers with his personal inscription on the reverse blade. These daggers were to honor individuals who had served with the SA prior to December, 1931. Other than the inscription, these pieces were identical to the standard M1933 SA dagger. After the Röhm purge, the inscription was ordered to be removed. Many examples were returned to the factory for grinding. Others were simply ground in the field by whatever means were available. Examples will occasionally be encountered with remnants of the original inscription remaining on the blade, but mostly none will remain. Some blades exist with an intact inscription, reflecting only the removal of the Röhm signature. Very very rarely is an example seen with a full, untouched inscription, as the holder would have surely risked a charge of treason.

After the purge, the NSKK, which had been a part of the SA, was split off into a separate organization. They retained the same daggers as the SA, however now used a black painted scabbard, and their officer's daggers had a few differences as well. Many already had SA daggers, so these had the scabbards painted black over the original brown anodized finish.