Original German WWII M33 Early SS Dagger with Possible Ground Röhm Signature and Leather Hanger Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available: Prior to his “unmasking” as a traitor, Ernst Röhm was the leader of the Sturmabteilung (SA). In 1934, he distributed approximately 100,000 SA daggers with his personal inscription on the reverse blade. This was etched into the blade, and read In herzlicher kameradschaft Ernst Röhm (In cordial companionship Ernst Röhm). These daggers were to honor individuals who had served with the SA prior to December, 1931. At this time, the Schutzstaffel (SS) was an Elite Unit within the SA, so longtime members were among those who received these daggers as well.

Other than the inscription, these pieces were identical to the standard M1933 SS dagger. After the Röhm purge, the inscription was ordered to be removed, and failure to comply would be considered treason. Some were simply ground in the field by whatever means were available. Many other examples, as we suspect this is one of, were returned to the factory for grinding and refinishing. Often, this would remove the maker logo as well, as with this example. 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, exhibiting 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.

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 NSDAPsmand eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS 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 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 example is completely unmarked on the reverse side. We believe this is because it was originally issued with the inscription “In Herzlicher Freundschaft Ernst Röhm” (In heartfelt friendship Ernst Röhm) on the back. It was then returned to the factory, where the entire rear of the blade was re-ground, removing the etched signature as well as the maker marking. There are few small specks where signature would be, probably the very bottom of the etched design, and all that remains. The rest is a lovely re-ground cross grain texture

The blade is really in excellent condition, with almost full factory cross grain, and just a few tiny areas of oxidation. This texture is iconic, and is the definitive identifying characteristic for a real WWII German Blade. The rear also has the re-ground cross grain present. The acid etched SS motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue is clear with almost complete factory darkening. The edge of the blade does not show any sharpening after the original factory grind, and is still in excellent condition. 

The crossguards of this dagger and tang nut are in very good condition throughout, and are of the earliest solid nickel silver construction. The rear of the cross guard is marked in the center with SS Disctrict number I, but also with III 85, an unidentified unit number.

The ebony grip on this example is one of the best we have ever seen. The treatment used on these grips makes them quite brittle, so they crack quite easily. This grip is complete and unchipped, except for some splitting/chipping around the pommel guard. The silvered SS symbol and double circles are in great shape, with intact plating and enamel. The nickel grip eagle is the “high-necked” type with the beak pointing slightly up. It shows only light wear, with a touch of verdigris around it..

The scabbard for this example is a later war replacement, and is in very good condition. The steel body is straight and undented, with a very nice black enamel paint coating. There is some crazing and checking in the enamel. showing that it is indeed quite old. the top and bottom fittings are plated steel, and have some light flaking and oxidation, giving them a lovely patina. All four dome headed screws are retained and in great shape. There is a very nice black leather hanger clip attached to the ring on the scabbard, which has all nickel fittings. We assume that the hanger was probably removed from the first scabbard when it was replaced.

An excellent chance to own a great condition early SS M33 Dagger, which is very likely a great example of a “Sanitized” ground Röhm example. Ready to display!

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