1933 SS Dagger Robert Klass – Numbered 33587

Product Description: This 1933 SS Dagger is a particularly lovely example of a desirable, early, numbered piece, with the appealing bonus of a sought-after vertical hanger. The blade presents extremely well, with eye-catching luster and a crisply etched motto that retains strong original darkening. The blade has very nice cross-graining throughout. It has been cleaned and polished at some time in its life, and shows typical runner marks from being in and out of the scabbard. The reverse of the blade has the “kissing cranes” logo of the firm of Robert Klaas in Solingen. The beautiful handle on this dagger has very nice nickeled crossguards, with great shine. The reverse of the lower crossguard is neatly stamped with the SS group number “III,” indicating Berlin, as well as “33587” which was the SS number of the dagger’s original owner. Unfortunately, we were unable to find a match for this number to a particular SS Mann. The grip on this dagger is complete, with great black color, and no chips or cracks. The nickeled grip eagle is correct for this maker. The eagle and enameled SS roundel show very slight wear, with no damage and a mild patina. This outstanding 1933 SS Dagger is complete with a very nice scabbard. The scabbard body retains nearly all of the correct black anodizing. The nickel scabbard fittings are choice. The scabbard tip ball is round, with none of the dents that one generally sees on these. All of the scabbard screws are present, and look to have never been turned. The vertical hanger on this scabbard is nice and complete, with full original surface to the black leather, and nice shine to the plated metal components. The functional spring clip is marked with the Assmann logo and “D.R.G.M.,” and retains a black leather belt loop. This dagger has a lot going for it, with outstanding visual impact. The overall condition rates as excellent plus.

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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