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.

This 1938 produced SS Dagger is in decent condition throughout with damage on the reverse of the wood grip. The crossguards and tang nut are the nickel-plated type. The plating has held up but most of the bright surfaces are gone.

The ebony grip is of medium contour construction. This grip has one area of damage (chip) on the reverse. This grip nicely fits the crossguards. The SS symbol button is positioned straight up and down. The grip eagle is of aluminum in the style with a point behind its head. This bird retains full detailing throughout.

The scabbard shell is completely straight and in very good condition, retaining almost all of the original paint. The matching nickel plated scabbard mounts are very good, perfect throughout down to the the lower ball. The nickel plated screws retaining their head plating and present.

The blade of this dagger is in overall very good condition. Much of the original factory final polish cross-hatching is visible. There is some wear from being unsheathed multiple times. The motto is crisp and deep, having a frosted background which is still mostly all there. The reverse ricasso is etched with a shaded double RZM circle. It is positioned over the code for the Spitzer firm, RZM M 7/80. Beneath this is the SS code assigned to dagger contract, RZM 1197/38 SS. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower cross guard contours.

RZM and SS RZM code M7/80 1197 - C. Gustav Spitzer - 1938

An original well used but honest RZM, late production SS Dagger here!