{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-may-1945-munich-fuhrerbau-recovered-complete-model-1936-officer-chained-ss-dagger-with-notarized-provenance-from-captain-abraham-epstein-1269th-engineer-combat-battalion","title":"Original German WWII May 1945 Munich Führerbau Recovered Complete Model 1936 Officer Chained SS Dagger with Notarized Provenance from Captain Abraham Epstein - 1269th Engineer Combat Battalion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional German WWII Schutzstaffel (SS) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel 1936 Officer Chained SS Dagger, complete with Scabbard, Type I Chain, and Officer Portepee Knot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was recovered from the \u003cstrong\u003eFührerbau\u003c\/strong\u003e in Munich during May 1945 by \u003cstrong\u003eCaptain Abraham Epstein\u003c\/strong\u003e, a Jewish American dentist serving with the U.S. Army’s 1269th Engineer Combat Battalion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis SS Dagger come from a remarkable collection of dozens of pieces of silver, tableware, linens, and related objects retained by Captain Epstein following the capture of Munich. Its history is supported by Epstein’s wartime correspondence, photographs, military records, and a notarized statement signed by his daughter, Sandy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaptain Abraham N. Epstein was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 17, 1915. He entered active service on July 31, 1943, and served as a Dental Officer with the rank of Captain. His Separation Qualification Record documents 33 months of active service and assignments to the 1269th Engineer Combat Battalion, 421st Field Artillery Group, 1123rd Engineer Combat Group, 1161st Engineer Combat Group, 317th Station Hospital, and several stateside medical units. He was separated from active service on June 30, 1946.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEpstein referred specifically to the captured silver in two wartime letters sent home to his family. The first, dated May 8, 1945, VE Day, states:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“I have acquired a set of Adolph's personal silver-ware which I am mailing home as a souvenir”.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA second letter, dated May 17, 1945, from Augsburg, Germany, concludes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“I have sent home many packages + I hope they do not take out the good things from it if the Custom Authorities open them up. The most valuable thing I have is a complete set of 6 silverware of Adolph.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhotocopies of both letters are included with the purchase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe provenance also includes 15 original wartime photographs dating from March through August 1945. The purchaser will receive high resolution color copies showing the fronts and backs of all 15 photographs. One especially important photograph was taken outside the Führerbau in Munich during May 1945. It shows Epstein in a truck with headquarters vehicles positioned in front of the building. Additional photographs taken at Berchtesgaden in June 1945 show the destroyed residences of Martin Bormann and Hermann Göring, as well as Epstein standing at the arched lower entrance to the Eagle’s Nest. Other photographs taken in Berlin during 1945 document the devastated city, including the destroyed Reich Chancellery. Epstein wrote on the reverse of the photograph:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Muinch, Germay May 1945, The Brown House (Memorial to the beer hall) Our HQ trucks in front of it. GOT Adolph Silver here”.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe group is further supported by a notarized family statement signed by Epstein’s daughter, Sandy, on October 5, 2026. A photocopy of the notarized statement and its attached inventory is included with the dagger. The statement and inventory are reproduced as supplied:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStatement Regarding Abraham Epstein and the Braunes Haus Collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily declaration with attached itemized inventory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMy father, Abraham Epstein, was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 17, 1915. He was the son of immigrants and became a dentist because his mother told him that an education and a professional career were the ways to succeed in the United States.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAbraham Epstein enlisted in the US Army in 1943 in order to be part of the fighting force in World War 2. He was accepted into service on July 31, 1943, and performed as a dentist in the medical corps in all his assignments. His initial assignments were in the United States in Maryland, Illinois, and Texas. He was then assigned to the 7th Army of the European Theater of Operations. He left for England on October 29, 1944, traveling across the Atlantic Ocean via boat, and arrived in England on November 10, 1944. During his time in England, my father was part of a training battalion.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe 1269 Engineering Combat Battalion was already in France by the beginning of 1945, and it appears my father’s unit was assigned to join this battalion. He entered Germany with Company C of the 1269 Engineering Battalion in March of 1945. He remained with this group until it was disbanded, and the troops deployed to various other locations. My father was eventually transferred to the 317th Station Hospital in Weisbaden, Germany on September 23, 1945, before being transferred back to the United States on December 31, 1945, and relieved from active service. He was discharged from the US Army on June 30, 1946.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne of the functions of his engineering battalion was to de-booby trap German positions as they were captured towards the end of the war. One such site was one of Hiter’s main houses-The Brown House (Braunes Haus) in Munich. He and his unit were sent to evaluate the residence, and to ensure its safety. When the men searched the house, they came upon what appeared to be a wall closet, but outfitted as a safe. When his men asked what to do with it, he instructed them to blow it open. What they found was a collection of Hilter’s personal silverware, including flatware, along with various serving pieces, boxes, teapots, bowls, as well as linens and other items, all personalized with Hilter’s monogram. My father radioed his commanding officer, asking what should be done with the items, and was told to bring it back to their headquarters. There, the commander declared it legal loot, and proceeded to split it between his men. Over time, my father sent his share of the collection, piece by piece, to his sister’s home, where he had been residing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMy father was always very proud of his service to his country. Unlike many in the “The Greatest Generation”, my father spoke of the war frequently. He cherished his role in defeating what he saw as evil in the world. When we were teenagers, we took a family trip to Europe, which included stops in Germany. But when we got to visit the Dachau Camp, he insisted that we get back into the car at once, asking in a rhetorical manner if we could not smell the stench in the air. You see, he was at the camp when it was being liberated, and his olfactory senses were now wreaking havoc with his vivid memories of that time. I did get to visit the camp later with my husband, and could only imagine the horrors he experienced at that time.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe passed along his collection to his children throughout his lifetime, asking us to hold onto it until both he and my mother had passed away. It is our hope that this collection serves as a reminder of the horrors and evils of a tyrannical period in our collective history.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSandy M\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe statement is followed by Sandy's signed family certification, dated October 5, 2026, and a New York notary acknowledgment. Its attached four page inventory is headed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMunich Führerbau Inventory Recovered by Abraham Epstein in 1945\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The inventory records one \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS Dagger - 14 ½\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, one of the few non-silverware items that were acquired.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to the family, Captain Epstein attempted to sell the silver from the collection to a New York City jeweler several years after the war. The jeweler reportedly told him that no one would want it and that its only value was as silver for melting. Epstein understood its historical importance and refused. He concealed the collection beneath a pull out kitchen wall stove in his Long Island home, where it remained protected for decades. He ultimately left the collection to his children with the intention that it benefit the lives and education of his children and grandchildren.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis particular piece\u003c\/span\u003e is a very good example of a \u003cspan\u003eGerman WWII Schutzstaffel (SS) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel 1936 Officer Chained SS Dagger, complete with Scabbard, Type I Chain, and Officer Portepee Knot, all the accoutrements usually seen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has a very good condition blade without a maker mark, which is the correct official pattern. Blades that have maker marks were usually retrofitted early examples, and not officially bestowed as chained daggers. It retains strong factory final polish grind crossgrain on both sides, a finish known in German as \u003cem\u003ePließten\u003c\/em\u003e. It is created by polishing the blades with large leather covered wheels using a slurry of extremely fine grit, and is nearly impossible to replicate using modern means. For advanced edged weapon collectors, the survival of this original crossgrain is an especially important feature because it indicates that the blade has not been aggressively polished or resurfaced after manufacture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade does show some spots of oxidation from contact with moisture on the scabbard runners, particularly on the obverse, where some water stains can be seen on either side. There are also a few other areas of minor oxidation staining, but nothing beyond that. There is also wear from the scabbard runners, particularly on the tip area of the blade. The edge is correctly unsharpened, free from dents and chips, and the tip of the blade intact and unbent. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower crossguard contour, and is solid in the grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe obverse carries the acid etched SS motto:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeine \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEhre heißt Treue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is usually translated as \"My honor is loyalty\". The etching remains crisp and sharply defined, with strong original factory darkening still retained in the recessed lettering, and just a bit of oxidation staining. Combined with the surviving crossgrain, this gives the blade exceptional overall presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crossguards of this dagger and tang nut are in very good condition throughout, and are of the earliest production style nickel silver alloy construction. They have smooth surfaces, good crisp edges and precise accent grooves, and an overall lightly aged patina from oxidation. We do not see any cracking or areas of plating lifting, showing that they are definitely solid nickel silver. We did note that the back of the cross guard is stamped with Sa, which we usually associate with a Gau marking on an SA dagger. We however do not see any evidence that any parts were ever changed out on this dagger, and with the impeccable provenance, it would not be possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePer customer requests, we always check the inside of the guard on these daggers, and in this case they are both marked with \u003cstrong\u003eK \u003c\/strong\u003eand \u003cstrong\u003eK in a circle\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the pommel guard having an additional \u003cstrong\u003eO\u003c\/strong\u003e stamp. These markings are heaviliy linked for early daggers produced by C.G. Haenel or other makers using the distinct \"Suhler Stufe\" (low-step crossguard design), though the manufacturers of the fittings is not known. We did not see any markings on the \"rat tail\" style tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tang nut is solid nickel alloy, and in very good shape, showing some overall patination but no evidence of forced turning. The hilt is overall secure on the tang of the blade when the nut is hand-tightened. Tied around the hilt is an original aluminum bullion portepee, which came from the collection wrapped around the hilt of the dagger for shipping, after which it was retied. It shows some fraying and oxidation, and is definitely original, and is now tied in the \"crossover\" manner seen on SS officer daggers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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. There is also some wood chipped away on the reverse right by the crossguard, a very common place for this to occur.  The ebony wood is unfortunately brittle, and the treatment used to give it a uniform look exacerbates this, so cracking in general is common. The symbol button is positioned at about 7:00 o'clock, as it should be. The silvered \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eᛋᛋ\u003c\/strong\u003e doppelte Siegrune\u003c\/em\u003e 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 grip eagle is the \"high-necked\" type with the beak pointing slightly up. It is made from aluminum alloy, not the earlier solid nickel or nickel plated brass, and remains in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard the dagger features great steel shell, which is completely straight dent free, and is the early pattern originally made with a black \"anodized\" finish, which was then coated with protective clear \u003cem\u003eZapon\u003c\/em\u003e lacquer. In this case the anodization is almost completely retained, and the lacquer is well retained as well, though it does look to have been worn away in areas. The scabbard is fitted with a nickel plated steel center ramp with screws on both sides of the scabbard. This style has the three raised intertwined swas (hook cross) designs on both sides relatively shallow and smoothly executed compared to the single screw type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chape and locket fittings are both nickel plated steel, and are in good condition, showing wear and plating loss. The chape fitting has some denting on the bottom ball, where the plating has flaked away, allowing the steel to oxidize, but the rest still has the plating present. All six retaining screws are present, and match in design on all three fittings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cem\u003eTotenkopf\u003c\/em\u003e (Skull) links, which do not show any darkening or \"burnishing\" in the centers. The first link of the upper chain is deeply stamped with the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS-Kulturzeichen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong\u003eDRG\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncluded with the dagger are:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- A photocopy of the notarized family statement signed by Captain Epstein’s daughter, Sandy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- A photocopy of the attached itemized inventory documenting the Munich collection recovered by Abraham Epstein in 1945.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- A copy of Captain Epstein’s U.S. Army Separation Qualification Record documenting his rank, service dates, and assignments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Photocopies of Epstein’s May 8 and May 17, 1945 wartime letters specifically discussing the captured AH silver and the packages he mailed home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- High resolution color prints showing the fronts and backs of all 15 original wartime photographs dating from March through August 1945 including:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Photographic documentation of Epstein at the Führerbau in Munich, with his handwritten notation: “GOT Hilter Silver here.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Photographs taken at Berchtesgaden showing the destroyed residences of Martin Bormann and Hermann Göring, as well as Epstein at the arched lower entrance to the Eagle’s Nest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Photographs taken in Berlin during 1945 showing the devastated city and destroyed Reich Chancellery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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, and t\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehis dagger is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eparticularly important because its history is supported by Captain Epstein’s wartime letters, his handwritten May 1945 photograph, his military record, the family’s notarized statement, and the detailed inventory listing it. Together, these documents establish an unusually complete chain of family provenance extending from Munich in May 1945 through Captain Epstein and directly to his children.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Length: 8 3\/4\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall length: 13 3\/4”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrossguard: 3”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScabbard Length: 10”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground on SS Daggers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe SS (\u003cem\u003eSchutzstaffel\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SS \u003cem\u003eDienstdolch\u003c\/em\u003e (service dagger), also called the SS \u003cem\u003eEhrendolch\u003c\/em\u003e (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, 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 \u003cem\u003eExploring The Dress Daggers and Swords of the German ᛋᛋ\u003c\/em\u003e by Thomas T. Wittmann.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SS Dagger was originally equipped with nickel crossguards with an ebony wood grip. The black grip contained a National eagle with \u003cem\u003eswas\u003c\/em\u003e insignia recessed in the center area and an SS \u003cem\u003edoppelte Siegrune\u003c\/em\u003e (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, \u003cem\u003eMeine Ehre Heisst Treue\u003c\/em\u003e (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHimmler, in a directive that came out on 15 February 1943, allowed commissioned officers of the Waffen SS and later the SD, to wear the SS Chain Dagger with the use of a silver bullion portepee. It was to be tied on using the same knot as on the Army Officer Dagger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46097080451141,"sku":"ONSV26AHS087","price":8995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/FAC6E465-21A8-4AA2-8532-FB0CB4AE3493.jpg?v=1792779585","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-may-1945-munich-fuhrerbau-recovered-complete-model-1936-officer-chained-ss-dagger-with-notarized-provenance-from-captain-abraham-epstein-1269th-engineer-combat-battalion","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}