Early SA Partial Ground Röhm Dagger – Veteran Named

Product Description:  This Early SA Partial Ground Röhm Dagger – Veteran Named, is a highly desirable and visually compelling example, distinguished by a partially ground Ernst Röhm dedication and notable personalized wartime embellishments by Capt. Robert J. Louis. The blade is in very fine condition, retaining clear original crossgraining, with the “Alles für Deutschland” motto lightly etched and visually pleasing. Above the motto is a finely hand-etched inscription reading “Easter Sunday Frankenstein Germany 1945,” attributed to Robert J. Louis. The reverse bears the maker’s mark of Anton Wingen, and was originally etched with the Röhm dedication; this was partially ground in accordance with regulations following the Night of the Long Knives, with discernible remnants of the original inscription remaining visible—a rare and desirable feature. The blade is further Gau stamped.  The T-Nut has been turned, leaving some marking, but it doesn’t detract from the overall piece.

The hilt is entirely consistent with early production, fitted with nickel silver crossguards and an early pattern grip eagle. The SA roundel retains its full enamel. The wooden grip shows light wear and attractive age toning, with a small, period split above the SA roundel. The reverse of the lower crossguard is stamped with its gau stamp. The front nickeled throat is additionally hand-etched with the name Robert J. Louis, further enhancing the dagger’s personalized history.

The scabbard is a textbook early type, retaining a well-preserved brown anodized finish with only minor scattered marks and limited color loss. The early nickel fittings match the hilt, with some denting to the lower fitting at the ball, as commonly encountered. The suspension ring retains an early hanger of brown leather with nickel silver fittings, complete and sound, with a fully functional spring clip.

Partially researched, the named individual is known to have been in the Rhineland during Easter 1945, aligning compellingly with the blade inscription. The dagger was obtained from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Overall, this Early SA Röhm Dagger displays excellent eye appeal and represents a choice example with layered historical interest; condition throughout rates as excellent+.

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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