M33 SS Dagger Numbered Klaas

Product Description: This M33 SS Dagger Numbered is a gorgeous and extremely desirable early piece. The blade has an extremely bright luster, with only some extremely minor gray spots and some minor surface pitting on the rear, and looks to have been polished at some point in the past. The logo on the blade remains nice and crisp. On the reverse, the blade ricasso is etched with the early, commercial type “kissing cranes” manufacturer emblem of the firm of Robert Klaas, in Solingen. The handle on this one has a great look, with liovely nickel silver crossguards. The black grip has some small marks as well as a chip on the front above the SS roundel, and another on the rear near the lower crossguard. The front of the lower crossguard is nicely stamped with the SS number “1077888.” This number has not been traced, offering an avenue for future research. This M33 SS Dagger Numbered is complete with its original scabbard, which is the correct, early, black anodized type. The anodization shows some wear, but remains mostly intact. The nickel silver scabbard ball fitting at the tip has a dent as is so often the case. The scabbard is complete with an original early and very desirable vertical hanger. The hanger is complete, with some minor age related crazing to the leather surface as well as patina to the metalwork. The nickel silver spring clip is intact, and nicely marked with the Assmann logo as well as “D.R.G.M.” The hanger is even complete with a political style D-ring belt loop.This piece has tremendous visual appeal, with a lot going for it in terms of desirability. The condition is excellent.

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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