Early SA Dagger – Paul Seilheimer

Product Description: This Early SA Dagger is in incredible condition. It’s a gorgeous piece, that appears to be completely untouched. It’s also made by a rare maker, Paul Seilheimer, that ranks a 7 out of 10 on the McSarr rarity scale. This is the first time we have had a dagger by this maker. The blade of this dagger is full length, and very bright, with some factory cross graining still visible. There is some sharpening, as well as normal runner marks. The blade motto is beautiful, with deep original darkening. The reverse of the blade is marked with the attractive and seldom seen maker mark of Paul Seilheimer in Solingen. The attractive, high quality handle features a really nice grip, with no chips or cracks. The early eagle shows only very slight wear, and the enamel of the SA roundel is virtually pristine. The crossguards are the expected nickel silver type, with the reverse of the lower guard stamped with “S” for SA-Gruppe Schlesien. The “T” nut pommel is very clean, and looks like it has never been turned. This lovely early SA dagger is complete with its original scabbard. The scabbard is excellent, with nearly all of the original factory applied brown anodized finish still intact on the scabbard body. The metal fittings have charming luster, matching the grip fittings perfectly. All of the scabbard screws are very tight, with no marring or disturbance. The tip of the scabbard features an undented and perfect ball. The suspension ring on the scabbard retains a nice early roller style hanger, with brown leather and nickel plated fittings. This dagger is a choice piece, with a lot going for it. It would be tough to upgrade, and rates excellent plus overall.

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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