Original German WWII Early SA Dagger by Rare Maker Adolf Völker of Schmalkalden with Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an very nice service used condition early pattern SA Dienstdolch (Service Dagger), made by rare maker Adolf Völker, Zangenfabrik (pliers factory), located in Schmalkalden, near Suhl and Zella-Mehlis in Germany. This is only the second item and first edged weapon of any type that we have had from this maker, and all edged weapons from them are quite rare. It comes comes compete with an original early production anodized scabbard, which is in very nice patinated condition.

The dagger has solid nickel silver fittings throughout, and the crossguards and tang nut are in very good condition throughout, with all fittings having a nice lightly worn oxidized patina. There is just a bit of age and denting to these mounts but there is no lifting anywhere, showing that they are solid and not plated. The lower reverse guard is Gruppe/Gau marked Mi, for Mitte (Center), an SA Administrative region to the West of Berlin, with Magdeburg as the main city. This feature was only seen on daggers produced 1935 and prior.

The grip is a fine product having a lovely honey brown color, with medium center ridge construction, showing only light wear and a few small dents. The wood is still in very good condition, with some great color variation, and fits the crossguards nicely, with no chips or cracking we can see. The pommel nut does not show any turning on the outside, and the grip has just a bit of wiggle on the tang. The SA symbol button is still set in the grip, with mostly complete enamel and plating. It shows a bit of wear and oxidation, with some verdigris on the perimeter. The grip eagle is a fine example being the style with beak that points straight. It has just a bit of verdigris on it, showing that it is solid nickel alloy, and it has patinated nicely. The details are still there to the eagle to include the beak, breast feathering, wing feathering, talons, wreath and mobile swas (hook cross).

The blade is in very good service used condition and bright, still showing the original factory final grind cross grain on much of the surface on both sides. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. It is however worn in areas, particularly near the cross guard, where it looks like moisture trapped by the runners caused the blade to oxidize. It now shows staining and past peppering on the 2 inches of the blade closest to the guard, and overall there is a bit of wear and staining. The edge is correctly unsharpened, though the tip looks to have been ground a bit on both sides. The acid-etched Alles für Deutschland (Everything for Germany) SA motto is present, but it does not look like it was etched well originally. The darkening is mostly worn away.

The reverse ricasso is etched with the oval address logo of Adolf Völker, Zangenfabrik or Werkzeugfabrik (pliers factory or tool factory), located in Schmalkalden, Hessen-Nassau, near Suhl and Zella-Mehlis:

ADOLF VÖLKER

SCHMALKALDEN

This is a seldom seen maker who mainly manufactured pliers, tongs, and pincers. They did however assemble and/or finish a small number of SA / NSKK daggers during the third reich period. Their logo was a railway locomotive, which was seen inside the address logo on some daggers. For more information GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter, page 538.

The scabbard shell is straight throughout and is the early-war style, which were produced with a brown “anodized” finish on the steel, which was then lacquered. This example looks to have lost just about all of the original lacquer, and now shows scattered oxidation throughout the steel body. However, it still does show the original brown anodized finish on much of the front side, with the rear showing more wear. The body is still straight, with no dents or bends in the body that we can see. The upper and lower fittings are solid nickel silver, with a great look and some dents and scratches showing typical wear. All four of the securing screws for the fittings are however missing, and they can be removed from the scabbard body. The throat sliders are missing, probably as they had rusted out.

A very nice early wartime SA dagger with a great blade, made by a very rare maker and complete with the original scabbard. Ready to 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.