Heinrich Himmler Presentation SS Dagger

Product Description:  A scarce, original example of a Heinrich Himmler Presentation SS Dagger in choice condition. The obverse side of the blade is acid etched with the SS motto “Meine Ehre Heißt Treue”, which translates to “My Honor is Loyalty”. The reverse side of the blade features the acid etched dedication “In Heartfelt Comradeship H. Himmler”. The dedication retains nearly all of its original dark burnishing. Below the dedication is the maker logo for the firm of “Carl Eickhorn”, which is positioned closer to the cross guard than seen on standard SS daggers to accommodate the room needed for the dedication etching. The dagger’s blade retains nearly 99% of it’s factory cross graining along the entire length of the blade. The blade is in a completely untouched state, is not sharpened, and remains in uncleaned condition. Only a few very small scattered marks and very light natural runner marks are present. The solid nickel silver upper and lower cross guards show a beautiful natural patina throughout, and match each other perfectly. The under side of the lower cross guard is stamped with the numeral “5”. The wooden black ebony grip features a nickel silver grip eagle and thin style SS runes. A chip, on each side of the daggers grip, near the lower cross guard can be observed, as well as near the eagles right wing. The pommel nut is made of solid nickel silver, and matches the same patina as the daggers nickel cross guards. The early black anodized scabbard features a nickel silver scabbard throat and drag, which exhibit a nice even matching patina throughout. The scabbards fitting’s screws appear to be in an untouched condition. The scabbard body is made of a black anodized steel which retains much of it’s original protective “Zapon” lacquer. An early, non RZM, horizontal black leather hanger with nickel silver fittings is attached to the scabbard. Much of the black lacquer on the hanger has worn off from wear over the years. This is a fine example of a Heinrich Himmler Presentation SS Dagger in a completely untouched state.

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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