Original Item: Only One Available. This is an extremely rare pre-war period produced NSKK Officer's Dienstdolch (Service Dagger) in great condition, with the correct "Chained" scabbard. It was produced by the legendary Solingen-based firm of Carl Eickhorn. during the 1933-1935 period, and is completely correct, with all the correct attributes of an early production dagger.
The dagger has solid nickel silver fittings throughout, and is a really nice example, showing only light wear from service. The cross guards and tang nut are in very good condition throughout with all fittings having a nice lightly aged patina. There is some age to these mounts but there is no lifting anywhere, showing that they are solid and not plated. The accent grooves are well executed, and the lower reverse guard is Gruppe/Gau marked Wf, for Westfalen (Westphalia), which encompassed the area near Cologne, very close to Solingen. This feature was only seen on daggers produced 1935 and prior. The nickel alloy pommel nut is in great shape, only minor signs of turning on the hexagonal portion, and the handle is still tight on the tang.
The grip is a fine product having a lovely red brown mahogany color, with medium center ridge construction, showing light wear with scattered pressure dents on the surface. The wood is still in very good condition, with some great color variation, and fits the cross guards nicely. There is no chipping or cracks we can see, which is definitely a rarity with these daggers. The SA symbol button is nicely set, with the enamel is fully intact, and the plating fully retained, with some verdigris at one edge. The grip eagle is a fine example being the style with beak that points straight. The details are all still there to the eagle to include the beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swas. There is a bit of wear and oxidation, showing that is the correct solid nickel silver for an early pattern eagle.
The blade is in very good condition and mostly bright, still showing the original factory final grind cross grain on both sides, though it is faint in areas. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. It shows some signs of cleaning, but the grain is still present in many areas, except where the runners have worn it smooth. There is some minor oxidation staining on the blade, which we have left intact to preserve the cross grain and patina. The tip of the blade is still intact, and the edges are correctly unsharpened, however there are edge bends and small nicks that we can see on both edges. The acid-etched Alles für Deutschland (Everything for Germany) SA motto is crisp, and the factory darkening retained at about 40%.
The rear ricasso of the blade is stamped with the Carl Eickhorn 1933-35 style double oval trademark logo. It features the trademark squirrel looking to the viewer's left over C.E., surrounded by the first oval. Inside the second oval is CARL EICKHORN above and SOLINGEN below, with stars in between. This is one of several similar but not identical Trademark logos Eickhorn used during this period. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.
The scabbard shell is straight and is the early-war style, which originally had an "anodized" black finish on the steel, which was then lacquered. The lacquer looks to be almost completely gone, however much of the anodized finish still remains, with a bit of peppering over most of the steel. There are no dents we can see, and it really has a lovely look. The scabbard shell is equipped with fine matching nickel silver mounts, including the center ramp for attachment of the chain. These mounts are in very good condition overall, with slight denting to the lower ball. They nicely match the crossguards, and all 5 of the matching dome headed screws are present.
The scabbard is equipped with a lovely and totally correct nickel plated steel NSKK chain assembly, with four upper and five lower links. The decoration on the links alternates between NSSK eagles and raised sun wheel symbols. The center link on the lower length is marked with the special triangle runic symbol used exclusively by the NSKK. The plating on this chain is still in very good condition, showing a lovely tarnished patina and no lifting of the plating. The first link of the upper chain length is marked MUSTERSCHUTZ / NSKK- / KORPSFÜHRUNG, indicating it is made per the NSKK leadership specifications. The lower chain is marked with RZM M5/8, for F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid. These chain lengths are connected to a good nickel plated steel snap clip marked with an acorn between a pair of oak leaves, which is missing the spring inside.
An excellent early example of a Chained NSKK Officer's dagger from the most legendary of ALL Solingen makers! Ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 8 3/4"
Overall length: 13 3/4”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 10”
History of the SA-
The SA or Brown Shirts, were a private political formation which Adolf AH and the NSDAP used to maintain order at organized Party meetings and demonstrations. The group was formed in 1921, and grew to a huge force of nearly 3,000,000 men by the later 1930's. To instill esprit de corps, as well as create employment for the Blade City of Solingen, it was decided each SA man would carry a dagger with his Brown Shirt uniform. Huge quantities needed to be produced to accommodate the demand. The dagger initially was produced of hand-fitted nickel mounts with attractive finished wood grip and brown anodized (a bluing process) finished scabbard.
The blade was etched with the SA motto, Alles für Deutschland. Examples produced prior to 1935 were stamped with the German sector of the SA group on reverse lower crossguard. Later examples underwent standardization through the RZM ministry. These pieces were produced of cheaper plated zinc-base fittings and scabbards were simply painted brown.
Prior to his "unmasking" as a traitor, Ernst Röhm was the leader of the SA. In 1934, he distributed approximately 100,000 SA daggers with his personal inscription on the reverse blade. These daggers were to honor individuals who had served with the SA prior to December, 1931. Other than the inscription, these pieces were identical to the standard M1933 SA dagger. After the Röhm purge, the inscription was ordered to be removed. Many examples were returned to the factory for grinding. Others were simply ground in the field by whatever means were available. Examples will occasionally be encountered with remnants of the original inscription remaining on the blade, but mostly none will remain. Some blades exist with an intact inscription, reflecting only the removal of the Röhm signature. Very very rarely is an example seen with a full, untouched inscription, as the holder would have surely risked a charge of treason.
After the purge, the NSKK, which had been a part of the SA, was split off into a separate organization. They retained the same daggers as the SA, however now used a black painted scabbard, and their officer's daggers had a few differences as well.
