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 Germany eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS Dienstdolch (service 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 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 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 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 is a very nice set of M33 SS dagger parts, consisting of the wooden grip with insignia, as well as the cross and pommel guards. Many SS daggers had very damaged blades, and sometimes the fittings would be removed by the USGI bringing the item back. However we think it's more likely that several USGIs found a dagger, and split it up into pieces. There are numerous possibilities of how this set came into being. It definitely appears to be matching, and the guards are both the same style (nickel plated brass), and match the handle well.

The handle still has a very good SS insignia, showing a lovely silvered ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) symbol and double circles with intact plating and enamel. The eagle is definitely in a bit worse shape, showing oxidation, and looks to have been plated zinc, which is now missing most of the plating. The grip has some chunks missing hear the guards, which is fairly typical, as the black dyeing process for the grips unfortunately causes the wood to become brittle. There are also some cracks as well as the usual scrapes and pressure dents from service.

The guards are both in very good condition, with crisp accent grooves and wear through the plating on the corners. They definitely do show some wear, but present very well. This set would be great to help "dress up" an SS dagger with poor fittings for a display.