WWII GERMAN DAGGER - SS
An SS dagger meant to be worn by all ranks of the SS was introduced in 1933. This dagger was very similar to the SA style. The construction of the SS dagger consisted of black ebony handles with an SS symbol insert located just below the pommel. In addition, a small eagle holding a swastika is placed on the center of the handle. The fittings are manufactured from plated zinc metal. The dagger was usually a special purchase item.

Initially, production of the dagger was not under RZM control. It was not until 1934 that the RZM started overseeing production of the dagger.

The SS dagger is one of the most desirable daggers to obtain by a collector. It is also a difficult one to find. There are many replicas flooding the market so the buyer must be very careful when purchasing one.

The stiching of the hanger is shown on the following picture. The markings in one of the rings are also illustrated.

There is a version of the SS dagger that uses a metal chain for a hanger. This model is known as the chained SS dagger.

The scabbard fittings are held together by flat head screws. The pommel is very similar to the ones found on the SA daggers.

The handle of the dagger is adorned with a nickel eagle. Later on the war the eagles were made of aluminum. The maker of the dagger inscribes its trademark on the bottom of the blade. The RZM control numbers "1198/38" designate the maker of the blade and the year of manufacturing (1938).

An inscription is found on the obverse side of the blade. This inscription reads reads "Meine Ehre heist Treue" which translates to "my honour is loyalty".

This edge weapon is currently being reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of edge weapons. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the item.