Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition early pattern NSKK Dagger, made by the very rare maker F.W. Backhaus GmbH, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelwares Factory), located in Solingen, Germany. This is only the third item of any kind we have had by this maker, and they only made NSKK/SA daggers for a relatively short time. This maker is rated 7 out of 10 for rarity on the McSARR (McAlvanah SA Rarity Rating) scale, assembled based on 18,000 SA & NSKK daggers as seen by Mike McAlvanah. Makers of this rarity are extremely desirable and sought after by collectors. The blade on this example is in good condition, showing scattered oxidation staining on the surface, which we have left intact to preserve the history of the dagger. The included scabbard is definitely in "relic" condition, having suffered heavy oxidation to the steel body, which was cracked and bent at one point, and then bent back into line. Definitely a nice salty example of a rare dagger!

The dagger has solid nickel silver fittings throughout, and is a really nice patinated example. The cross guards and tang nut are in very good condition throughout with all fittings having a nice aged patina. There is no chipping or flaking, showing that they are indeed solid nickel alloy. The lower reverse guard is Gruppe/Gau marked He, for Hessen, a district in the west of Germany, with the principal city being Frankfurt. This feature was only seen on daggers produced 1935 and prior. The non-magnetic alloy pommel nut is in very good shape, showing no turning, and the hilt is still tight on the blade.

The grip is a fine product having a nice deep red brown color, with a medium center ridge construction. This grip is in good condition and fits the crossguards nicely, with no wobble we can feel. It does show cracking near both guards, particularly near the pommel, and it also shows staining from exposure to moisture and oxidation over a long period of time. There are however no chunks missing, and it really has a unique look. The symbol button is nicely set, and still has much of the translucent enamel intact, though there oxidation and patination to the metal. The grip eagle is a fine example being the style with beak that points straight. The details are still there to the eagle to include the beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swas. There is a bit of wear and patination, showing that is the correct solid nickel silver for an early pattern eagle.

The blade on this early production dagger is in good condition, still showing the original factory final grind cross grain throughout both sides, something we rarely see! This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. It has however suffered speckled oxidation staining on much of the surface, except where it has been worn away by the runner wear. There is no sign of sharpening to the edge, or major cleaning, so this is a lovely untouched blade with a great patina. The acid-etched Alles für Deutschland SA motto is crisp, and still retains almost all of the factory darkening.

The reverse of the blade is maker marked with the "Baby on the back of a stork" trademark logo of F.W. Backhaus GmbH, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware Factory) of the Ohligs borough of Solingen, surrounded by their name and address:

F. W. BACKHAUS
+ (Logo) +
SOLINGEN

This metalworking business was founded in 1827 by Freidrich Wilhelm Backhaus, and first registered trademarks in 1854, and again in 1875 by the founders son. The company went on to produce combat knives during the First World War. During the third reich period they made SA, SS, and NSKK daggers, as well as HJ knives. Only the earliest production examples bear the "baby-and-stork" trademark, per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS. The company survived the war, and was still operating in the 1970s, but appears to have closed. This is only the second edged weapon we have ever had from this maker, and who knows when we will have one again.

The scabbard that came with this example is definitely an early pattern NSKK scabbard, made with a steel body that is "anodized" black, and originally was lacquered to protect it. This scabbard however had the lacquer wear away, and was exposed to moisture for a long period of time, which caused heavy oxidation on the front and sides of the scabbard. The rear of the scabbard shows less oxidation, and we can still see areas that show the original black finish. At some point the scabbard was dented from the rear, which caused the front to split open and lose a portion. It almost looks "battlefield pickup" but the wear pattern is fairly localized to one side of the scabbard. The upper and lower fittings are solid nickel silver, and have a nice oxidized patina, with some dents and scratches showing typical wear. The bottom fitting is dented in, typical of the softer alloy. The throat is in good shape, matching the cross guard well, and three of four dome headed screws are present, with one of the screws on the drag missing.

A very nice patinated early war NSKK dagger by a very rare maker, complete with a relic condition original scabbard. Ready to display!

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

History of the SA-

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.