Early SS Dagger by Ernst Pack & Söhne, Vertical Hanger

Product Description: This early EP&S SS dagger is a desirable piece from an uncommon maker, made even more attractive by the fantastic original vertical hanger. The blade on this one has suffered a bit from poor storage and was polished to remove damage. The SS motto on the blade is still legible, though some of the original darkening was lost to polishing. There is some graying as well as remnant pitting traces on both sides. The reverse of the blade has an early EP&S maker logo indicating manufacture by the firm of Ernst Pack & Söhne. The handle fittings on this EP&S SS dagger are the nickel silver version that one would expect to see on an early piece. The lower crossguard reverse has a neatly stamped “I” which is a Gau mark for the Munich district. The dark stained wood grip has some wear and typical handling marks, and also shows typical traces of shrinkage that has caused minor and normal gaps at the crossguards. The grip eagle shows wear, and the SS button has some roughness to the enamel that may indicate an attempt to repair damaged enamel at some point. The scabbard on this one has nickel silver fittings that perfectly match the fittings on the handle. The original black anodized coating on the scabbard shows heavy wear and patina from age, but remains more than 50 percent intact. This EP&S SS dagger is complete with a beautiful and extremely desirable vertical leather hanger. It’s made of dark leather, with plated metal fittings, and is in excellent condition, with no damage. The clip is marked with the stylized “A” logo for Assmann, and DRGM. The clip has some minor verdigris buildup where it has contacted the leather for many years. Despite showing traces of age, this early dagger still presents very well and remains a very desirable early piece.

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, nickle 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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