Original Item: Only One Available. This very nice service used condition mid war period produced SA Dagger is made with nickel-plated fittings throughout, and definitely shows long use and service during the war, and possibly afterwards. This example was made by the the legendary Solingen-based firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie (WKC), Waffenfabrik GmbH.

The handle guards and tang nut are made from alloy, most likely zinc-based "white metal", and still have much of the original plating intact. There is however overall oxidation, as well as some oxidation bubbling and pitting on the cross guard. There are also areas where the plating has worn away, showing that they are definitely made from alloy with nickel plating. The pommel nut is nickel-plated steel, and does show some oxidation and turning. The hilt is mostly tight on the blade, with just a bit of wobble.

The grip is in good condition, showing a lovely brown color with some nice grain and color variation. It is however missing chunks near the cross guard on both sides, and on on the reverse near the pommel guard. It is also missing a chunk near the grip eagle, and there is cracking on the front near the symbol button. The SA symbol button is nicely, with mostly intact translucent enamel, and the plating intact with a bit of oxidation at the bottom. The details are still mostly there to the inlaid aluminum eagle, including the beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swas (hook cross).

The blade of this example definitely shows past oxidation and cleaning on most of the surface, with the factory final polish grind cross grain only really visible near the cross guard. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The blade has the usual runner wear, and there are swirl marks and scratches from cleaning and possible use. It still retains the original WKC factory edge, which is beveled but never truly sharpened. The acid-etched Alles für Deutschland (Everything for Germany) SA motto is still quite crisp, with the darkening mostly worn away.

The reverse ricasso is etched with a double circle with RZM logo in the middle over M7 / 42. This indicates Post-1941 manufacture by maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie (WKC), Waffenfabrik GmbH (Weapons Factory). This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making, often called the "City of Blades".

Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums, and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It then rebranded in 1930 as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.

The Reichszeugmeisterei (National Quartermaster's Office), 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, with WKC Waffenfabrik being contractor number 42.

The scabbard shell is mostly straight throughout and has good original brown enamel paint, which shows some flaking on the obverse near the top fitting. There is also overall checking and crazing in the finish, confirming the age. The scabbard shell is equipped with matching plated steel mounts, which show some wear and oxidation from use and age. The bottom ball is quite crushed in, common even on the examples with steel fittings. They nicely match the crossguards and are complete with all four dome head screws.

A very nice service used example of a mid to late war pattern SA dagger from a very famous maker, complete with scabbard. 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.