Early SA Dress Dagger – Gottfried Müller

Product Description: This early SA Dress Dagger is a very desirable piece that has a lot going for it. This dagger was made by the firm of Gottfried Muller, a maker that is ranked 4 of 10 on the McSarr rarity scale. It features a very nice blade with excellent crossgraining remaining, and only light runner marks. The etched motto shows exceptional original darkening, with outstanding contrast. The reverse ricasso is etched with the scarce Müller maker emblem. The handle of this dagger has a lovely, all-original look. The upper and lower crossguards are made of solid nickel, with an even, uncleaned patina. The rosewood grip is a really attractive light shade, and has no chips, cracks or damage. The early type grip eagle shows light wear and patina, and the SA roundel retains all of the enamel. The reverse of the lower crossguard is stamped “He” for SA-Gruppe Hessen. The T-nut pommel looks to have never been turned or messed with. This early SA dress dagger is complete with its original scabbard. The scabbard body retains most of its early anodized finish, with slight age and wear. The solid nickel scabbard fittings are without damage and match the handle nicely. The ball at the tip is perfect, with no dents. The four scabbard screws look to be never turned, never messed with. The suspension ring retains a very nice early hanger, with brown leather and nickel fittings. The hanger spring clip is functional. The condition of this choice, top quality dagger rates as 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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