Original German WWII Early Model 1933 SS Dagger by Rare Unknown Maker with Scabbard & Rare Vertical Hanger – SS 120/34 RZM Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available: The SS (Schutzstaffel) was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf AH. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of Germany eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS Dienstdolch (service dagger) was introduced in 1933. Early on, members of the SS were awarded their daggers during a ceremony at the Feldherrnhalle Memorial in Munich. The annual ritual, charged with mysticism and meant to evoke the traditions of medieval Teutonic knights, was held on 9 November, the date of the unsuccessful Munich Putsch of 1923. Both officers and enlisted men wore the identical dagger until 1936. After this time, only enlisted men wore the M1933 dagger.

The SS Dagger was originally equipped with nickel crossguards with an ebony wood grip. The black grip contained a National eagle with swas insignia recessed in the center area and an SS sigrunne button inset at the top. On early examples the scabbard shell surface was factory blackened using a metal bluing process. The scabbard had nickel mounts. The SS blade was a polished type containing the SS motto, Meine Ehre Heisst Treue (My Honor is Loyalty). Early examples were mostly hand-fit. Production of later examples was more standardized, using cheaper, nickel-plated fittings with black painted scabbard shells. They could be held with a standard belt hanger, or a much rarer vertical hanger.

The blade on this lovely early production dagger remains partly bright, and is quite attractive. We often see these quite worn and oxidized, but not this example, which shows some scattered areas of oxidation and staining. The rear is marked with the RZM and SS contract information:

((ᛋᛋ))
120 / 34
((RZM))

This is an unknown maker mark, and one of the earliest known SS RZM designations. There are some who have attributed this marking to maker Ernst Pack & Söhne of Solingen, but we could not find any definitive proof of this. We did pull the handle, and noticed that the tang is marked with an A in a Circle over the number 25.

The blade still shows quite a bit of the original factory final polish crossgrain on both sides, visible throughout except where there is more established oxidation. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. It has not been sharpened like some were by USGI’s, and still has the original edge. There is the usual runner wear, but this is only minor, and the main condition issue is the staining and oxidation on the last 3/4 inch of the blade near the tip, and some spots around the middle of the dagger. These look to be from long term exposure to moisture from the air over decades while it was in storage. These have not been polished out, as they are part of the history of the blade.

We often see these blades completely worn, so we would consider this blade to be in very good condition. The etched SS motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue (My honor is loyalty) is crisp, however cleaning has removed much of the factory darkened finish. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower crossguard contour. The blade is solidly held in the hilt.

The crossguards of this dagger and tang nut are in good condition throughout, and are of the early war solid nickel silver construction. There is no evidence that they are plated, and the accent grooves are hand executed. The pommel nut is non magnetic, and also looks to be solid nickel silver. The fittings show oxidation overall probably from not being cleaned and then put into long storage. The rear of the crossguard is marked with SS district number I. We also checked inside the guards, as our customers often request, and both are marked inside with a large H on the inside, a marking we have seen before on SS daggers.

The ebony grip is a very nice example with a great color, showing only some light chipping near the pommel guard. This is definitely far better than we usually see these, as black dyeing process for the grips unfortunately causes the ebony wood to become even more brittle than it is to begin with, so damage is very common. The silvered ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) symbol and double circles are in great shape, with intact plating and enamel, showing just a bit of oxidation around the edge. The grip eagle is the “high-necked” type with the beak pointing slightly up. It remains in good condition, showing very little wear, just a bit of light scratching and a few dents, and looks to be solid nickel alloy.

The scabbard shell is a very good good example, showing only light wear from age and use. There is dent on the front of the scabbard near the top, which does not interfere with sheathing the blade. This scabbard is the correct early war type, which has a a black “anodized” finish, which was then lacquered to protect it. As with most, the lacquer has flaked off over the years, with probably under 20% remaining, however the black anodized (blued) finish is still very well retained. There are some areas of oxidation present, mostly on the back, but overall this is really a great example. The matching solid nickel silver scabbard mounts are in good condition. The lower ball has been dented in multiple times, which is quite common. The weaker nickel alloy used in early models (later ones used steel) is unfortunately prone to denting. All four dome headed screws are present, and in good condition.

The scabbard is held securely in the extremely rare leather vertical hanger, topped with a nickel hanger clip, which is attached to a belt hanger with a plated steel loop. The leather is in very good condition, still supple without any tears or or major issues. It only shows wear and flaking to the finish, especially on the lower strap, expected on an 80 year old leather item. The clip is marked with both the “Barred A” trademark and DRGM for famous maker F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, a German city known for it’s clothing accessories industry. This maker is particularly well known, and had other factories as well. These are extremely rare in any condition, but especially when they are fully intact.

This is a great chance to own a very good condition SS dagger from the pre-war period made by a rare and still unidentified maker! Complete with a lovely scabbard and rare vertical hanger, this dagger is ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 8 3/4″
Blade Style: Double Edged Dagger
Overall length: 13 3/4”
Crossguard: 3”
Scabbard Length: 10”

The RZM, Reichzeugmeisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster), was officially founded in June 1934 in Munich by the NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), as a Reich Hauptamt, (State Central Office), and was based on the earlier SA Quartermaster’s Department. The registry was was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin.

The functions of the RZM were not only to procure and distribute items to Party formations, but also to approve chosen designs and to act as a quality control supervisor to ensure items manufactured for the Party met required specification and were standardized. Starting in late 1934 items manufactured for the SS came under the quality control of the RZM and as a result were to be marked with the RZM/SS approval/acceptance mark. The M7 in the code stands for daggers, with Robert Klaas being contractor number 37.

Shortly after this, the SS started using a separate listing of contractors, and in 1943 the Waffen-SS assumed full control over their uniform item production and no longer fell under the authority of the RZM.