RZM 324/38 SS Dagger

Product Description: This RZM 324/38 SS Dagger is a very rare and desirable dagger, of a type that is highly prized among the collecting community. The blade is etched with “Meine Ehre heißt Treue!” with an exclamation point, a feature not typically encountered on SS daggers in general. Some have speculated that these pieces may have been specially presented or attributed to an elite SS unit; there is no documentation that supports this, however. The blade of this piece is in excellent condition. It shows surface scratches, graying and spotting throughout, as well as the commonly seen runner marks. The acid etched “RZM 324/38 SS” manufacturer marking on the ricasso and the “Meine Ehre heißt Treue!” motto are both nicely frosted, crisp and beautifully executed. The maker of these RZM 324/38 pieces is not known with certainty but it has been suggested this was a code for Klittermann & Moog. The handle on this piece shows wear, and has a wonderful character, with an attractive, deep patina to the crossguards. The black hardwood grip looks fine, with some condition issues that are common on SS dagger grips. There is a larger chunk of wood missing on the front bottom near the lower crossguard, and on the back top portion. It also has the common pressure marks, and one minor, stable hairline running to the right from the roundel. The solid nickel eagle is beautifully detailed and has a near perfect fit, and the SS roundel retains 90% of its enamel and sits perfectly in the grip. This RZM 324/38 SS Dagger is complete with its original scabbard. The steel based, black enamel painted scabbard shows traces of heavy use. The scabbard fittings look excellent. The patina on the handle crossguards and scabbard fittings don’t quite match, but the fit is perfect, and the dagger closes with a nice snap. The ball at the scabbard tip has one hit to its bottom. All four scabbard screws are intact, as is the suspension ring. The scabbard does show areas of paint loss along the sides and on the rear, but remains completely dent free. The scabbard is complete with its original, correct vertical hanger. The hanger shows wear matching that of the scabbard, with some losses to the leather surface, but remains complete and sound. The hanger spring clip is made by Assmann and marked “DRGM” indicating a legally protected design, and has some old rust, but remains functional. This dagger has a lot going for it, and is a rare variant that is missing from most collections.

Historical Description: The Model 1933 (M33) SS dagger was first serviceable dagger produced for the SS. The design was derived from a 16^thcentury Swiss hunting dagger called the “Holbein”. The M33 SS Dagger was worn by all ranks within the SS. Becoming a member of the SS was held in high respect during the Third Reich, and their daggers became a symbolic piece within its ranks. Every year on November 9^th, the new SS men would pledge their full allegiance to the Führer (Adolf Hitler) in front of the Feldherrnhalle monument in Munich and receive their dagger as a symbol of that oath. The inscription on the blade “Mein Ehre Heißt Treue”, which translates to “My Honor is Loyalty”, was the motto of the SS.

Manufacturing for these daggers began late in 1933 and continued until 1942 when production of all daggers ceased to conserve materials and labor for the war effort. Today, collectors categorize these daggers into three main categories; Early, Transitional, and Late period.  SS daggers produced from 1933 to early 1935 are early and have anodized scabbards, nickel fittings, and are generally of a higher workmanship. Transitional period daggers were produced from 1935 to 1938, are usually found with painted scabbards, plated fittings and RZM codes with their makers logo on the blade. Late period daggers were produced from 1938 to 1942 and are similar to the transitional period daggers in that they use plated fittings, painted scabbards but will only be found with the RZM logo and code on the blade.

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