Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition mid war period SA-Dienstdolch (Service Dagger), produced by the well-known Solingen-based firm E. & F. Hörster & Co.. Correct for the pattern, it features nickel-plated fittings throughout.

The guards are nickel plated alloy, probably zinc or some other "pot metal", and have almost all of the plating intact, showing just a bit of oxidation on the reverse cross guard, where the plating has eroded. There is no other real corrosion present, even where the grip contacts the guards, a definitely rarity. The steel pommel nut still retains almost all of the plating, though it does show some turning. The hilt fittings are still tightly attached to the blade.

The grip is a fine product having a reddish colored mahogany tone in the surfaces and medium center ridge construction. This grip is in excellent condition with great grain, and fits the crossguards well. There is no cracking or chipping we can see, just some pressure denting commensurate with age and storage. The SA symbol button is nicely set having fully intact enameling, and the plating intact with just a bit of verdigris and oxidation around the edge as shown. The details are still there to the inlaid aluminum eagle, including the beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swas (hook cross).

The blade is in excellent condition and retains the full factory final polish grind crossgrain on both sides, a finish known in German as Pliesten. 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.

There are only some very tiny specks that looks like they might be staining. The edge is correctly unsharpened and free of dents, and the tip is unbent. There is just a bit of swirling from cleaning and runner wear that keep this blade from being MINT, and that is not a term we use lightly. The acid-etched Alles für Deutschland (Everything for Germany) SA motto is still quite crisp, with the factory darkening still intact.

The rear is marked with the RZM contract information:

((RZM))
M7 / 36

This indicates Post-1941 manufacture by E. & F. Hörster & Co. Gmbh, a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons. Originally founded in 1850 as "Friedrich Hörster" in 1850, the company was renamed to E. & F. Hörster in 1870 at the behest of Friedrich Emil & Fritz Hörster. The firm lasted long after WWII, finally being declared insolvent in 1996. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, was was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. The M7 in the code stands for knives/daggers, contractor 36 stands for firm E. & F. Hörster & Co Gmbh.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout and has very good original brown enamel paint. It has just a bit of scuffing and crazing in the finish, but no flaking, and there is only a very shallow dent on the rear of the scabbard by the locket. The scabbard shell is equipped with fine matching nickel-plated steel mounts. These mounts are in excellent condition overall, showing little to no oxidation, wear through, or other damage. They nicely match the crossguards and are complete with all four dome head screws. This really is a nice solid scabbard.

An lovely example of a mid to late war pattern SA dagger from a desirable maker with an excellent blade, complete with scabbard and hanger. 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.