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Item:
ON1682

Original German WWII Model 1933 Early SS Dagger by Böker with Hanger

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available: The SS (Schutzstaffel) 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 NSDAPsmand eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS 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 crossguards with an ebony wood grip. The black grip contained a National eagle with swas insignia recessed in the center area and an SS sigrunne 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.

Böker is a famous manufacturer founded in 1869 in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. The company exists today, and has a long and storied history of top quality blade production. Knives made by this maker are highly desirable.

The blade remains bright and still retains some cross grain, especially on the back around the BÖKER SOLINGEN framed tree logo. There are small age spots and traces of past oxidation. The blade also has the usual runner marks. This blade still grades in very good condition. The SS motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue is crisp with 80% of the factory blackening is in the letter fonts in the backgrounds. The edge of the blade does not show any sharpening, and is still in excellent condition. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower crossguard contour, and is solid in the grip.

The crossguards of this dagger and tang nut are in good condition throughout, and are of the earliest solid nickel silver construction. They have smooth surfaces, good crisp edges and precise accent grooves.  The upper guard is marked with a Roman numeral I.

The ebony grip is a wonderful example. Early examples such as this were hand fit, which could result in cracking over time, but no cracking is present on this example. The symbol button is positioned well and the enamel surfaces are perfect. The silvered SS symbol and double circles around them have a nice matching patina with the nickel still intact. 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.

The scabbard shell is a solid example being straight as an arrow with one noticeable dent. The original black paint is retained at 95%. The matching solid nickel silver scabbard mounts are in very nice condition. The lower ball is correct shaped and not crushed despite the weaker nickel alloy used in early models (later ones used steel).

The scabbard has a black leather one-piece hanger (Dolchgehänge) by RZM M5/71 (Overhoff & Cie. of Lüdenscheid) in excellent condition.

This is an excellent chance to own a wonderful condition SS dagger by a legendary Solingen blade maker!

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