Original Item: Only One Available: This is an original early SS Model 1933 Heinrich Himmler Honor Dagger by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, complete with its anodized scabbard and black leather hanger. The blade bears the etched presentation inscription “In herzlicher Kameradschaft, H. Himmler,” along with the standard SS motto, and retains many of the construction features associated with early Eickhorn production. 

The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') 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 infamous Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAP and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS-Ehrendolch (SS honor 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 cross guards with an ebony wood grip. The black grip contained a National eagle with swas insignia recessed in the center area and an ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) 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.

This example is however a highly desirable "Heinrich Himmer Honor Dagger", a variation of the M33 introduced in 1934 following the "Night of the Long Knives" purge of the SA leadership. Sources indicate that originally 200 were produced to award to SS members who took part in the raid, and later issuing were awarded to senior SS officials. Total production was approximately 2,500, and all were produced by the famous Carl Eickhorn of Solingen. The styles seen vary considerably, with more important officials given daggers with appointments such as engraved fittings, gilt etching, and other ornamentation. This example is the standard pattern, identical to the M33 except for the inscription.

The rear of the blade still has a clear etched Honor dagger inscription:

In herzlicher Kameradschaft, H. Himmler
("In warm camaraderie, H. Himmler")

This is identical to the etching on earlier SA, NSKK, and SS daggers signed by Ernst Röhm, as Himmler simply co-opted the established design.

This example was produced by the legendary firm of Carl Eickhorn, based in Solingen, Germany, the Legendary "City of Blades," who manufactured all of the Himmler Honor daggers. It was and still is the blade-making capital of Germany, with a centuries long history of edged weapon manufacture. The reverse ricasso is etched with a 1933-35 Eickhorn trademark logo: a double oval surrounding a seated squirrel with a notched tail holding a sword, with CARL EICKHORN / SOLINGEN surrounding the squirrel trademark. Per J. Anthony Carter's definitive reference GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this is one of several similar trademarks used during the period, and is exactly what would have been used on early SA, NSKK, and SS daggers. This legendary company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The blade on this example is in very good condition, still retaining the original factory final polish grind cross grain, visible throughout the blade. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for many WWII German Blades, such as SA and SS daggers. It does show some scattered oxidation and scuffing on the surface, as well as some runner wear, which is present on virtually every German dagger blade to some degree. We also can see few dents on the edge and some roughness from oxidation. There is however no sign of major cleaning or sharpening, leaving it with a great honest used look. The etched SS motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue (Loyalty is my Honor) is crisp with little wear and most of the factory darkening. 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 very good condition throughout, and are of the earliest solid nickel silver construction. They have smooth surfaces, good crisp edges and precise accent grooves. They show only light oxidation, with no major corrosion evident, with some scuffing and scratches being the only notable condition issue. Per customer requests, we always check the inside of the guard on these daggers, and the pommel guard is marked with H and ✻E, which we have seen before and stand for Haus Eickhorn. The cross guard is also marked similarly, though the casting is a bit rough and hard to read.

The ebony grip is a nice example in very good condition, showing the correct medium center ridge construction. Unlike many we see, there is no major cracking or other damage, which is very common due to how brittle the ebony wood is, and the treatment used to give it a uniform look exacerbates this. There are pressure dents and scratches, as well as some chipping on the rear next to the cross guard, which has pressed into the wood due to long term pressure. There is also an area that has separated but not fallen off. The symbol button is positioned at about 7:00 o'clock, as it should be. The ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune symbol and double circles around them does show wear, with the plating worn down to the copper base metal, however the enamel is almost completely 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 itself is a very good example with a straight steel shell, which only shows one or two small dents. It is the correct early ear type, produced with a black "anodized" finish on the body, which was then coated with "Zapon" lacquer to protect it. Almost all of the lacquering has been lost, however the anodization is almost completely retained, with just a bit of fading and some small areas where it was worn off. There are some areas of light oxidation present, but no major peppering or rust. The matching solid nickel silver scabbard mounts are in very good lightly oxidized condition, showing some verdigris and staining in areas. The lower ball shows some denting but still retains its shape well. The weaker nickel alloy used in early models (later ones used steel) is unfortunately prone to denting. All four dome headed screws are present, and in good condition.

Attached to the hanger ring on the scabbard is an early pattern black leather belt hanger, with all nickel alloy hardware, so only the spring on the functional clip is magnetic. It is in very good shape, still retaining the keeper loop, and the leather still retains the original black finish well.

This is a scarce early SS Heinrich Himmler Honor Dagger by Carl Eickhorn, retaining its etched presentation inscription, crisp blade motto, solid nickel-silver fittings, ebony grip, early anodized scabbard, and original black leather hanger. The blade preserves much of its factory cross-grain finish and darkened etching, while the grip, fittings, and scabbard show the expected wear, oxidation, minor damage, and age-related deterioration described above. Its complete configuration, correct early Eickhorn construction, and surviving honor inscription make it a particularly significant example of this limited-production SS dagger variation.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 8 3/4"
Overall length: 13 3/4”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 10”