Early SA Dagger – Neidhardt & Schmidt

Product Description: This Early SA Dagger is a choice piece, with a lot going for it. The overall condition of this dagger is incredible. The gorgeous blade is marked on the reverse ricasso with “Neidharut & Schmidt, Brotterode.” This is our first time having an SA dagger by this rare maker, which rates a  7 out of 10 on the McSarr rarity scale. The blade is full length, and still very bright, with intact cross graining as well as typical runner marks from being in and out of the scabbard. The darkening to the crisp etching is strong and very attractive. The handle on this piece is exceptional, with really nice, eye-catching tiger stripping on the slightly glossy wooden grip. The early type grip eagle and enameled SA roundel are intact and undamaged. The metal fittings are the expected early nickel silver type. The lower crossguard is stamped on the reverse with “Fr.” indicating SA-Gruppe Franken. The “T-nut” pommel is virtually pristine, and looks like it has never been turned. This wonderful Early SA Dagger is complete with its original scabbard, which is very nice, with nearly complete brown anodizing, and only minimal age and wear. The scabbard screws are very tight with no marring or disturbance, and the ball at the tip of the scabbard is is very nice with no dents. The suspension ring retains an excellent early roller style nickeled hanger, which is complete. This dagger would be a tough piece to upgrade, and is packed with eye appeal. The condition is excellent plus.

Historical Description: The “Sturmabteilung” (SA), formed in 1921, was the original paramilitary branch of the Nazi party. With the Nazi rise to power in 1933, a dress dagger was introduced for wear with the iconic “brown shirt” uniform. As the SA was a huge organization, with an eventual strength of close to three million men, there was a huge demand for these daggers, and they were produced by 123 different makers, from larger factories to small, cottage-industry workshops. The daggers featured a wood grip with an inset enameled SA emblem and the German national eagle and swastika emblem. The blade was etched with the motto of the SA, “Alles für Deutschland.” The early daggers were crafted with the utmost quality, in both workmanship and materials. Originally, the name and logo of each manufacturer was etched on the reverse of the blade. These early daggers featured hand-fitted nickel silver fittings, and scabbards that had an anodized coating. Prior to around 1935, the daggers were stamped with an SA group letter on the reverse of the crossguard. In 1936, the Reichszeugmeisterie der NSDAP (RZM) organization began to standardize the manufacture of the SA dagger. Commercial type manufacturer markings were to be eliminated and replaced with the RZM logo, as well as an RZM code, to indicate the manufacturer. Late production daggers marked with RZM logos usually are made with plated zinc fittings and have aluminum grip eagles. Instead of the early anodizing process, later scabbards were simply painted. During the transitional period around 1936, many daggers were manufactured bearing the RZM logo and maker code in combination with the earlier type maker names and logos. These transitional daggers can be found with early or late features, or a mix of both.

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