Early SS Chain Dagger – D945
Even if you’re not a collector of edged weapons, these daggers will usually garner the attention of most 3rd Reich enthusiasts. Here is an excellent example that we are excited to offer to the collecting community.
The grip to this all nickel B1 M36 dagger is in wonderful condition. It’s high profile contour shape gives the impression that this edged weapon may have been produced by possibly the R.A. Herder firm, or Robt. Klaas. Though these dagger were private purchase edged weapons and hence the absence of any blade trademarks or company logos, we will probably never know. The handle is in fine condition, void of any major cracks, flakes, breakage, or missing material And no doubt the preservation of this grip was due to it’s owner, or the factory at his request, lightly coating the surface of the wood with a think layer of protective clear. As most 3rd Reich dagger collectors know, these SS grips were extremely prone to all kinds of damage, during the period and after the war as well. This one has survived extremely well, and we’re all thankful of that. In the center of the obverse, a nickel silver eagle has been perfectly set, straight and flush. It exhibits little if any wear across the surface of the bird. At the top a fantastic SS sigrunes button is in very much the same condition. All the silver is there to the lightening bolt symbols, both rings, and 100% of the enamel. Both upper and lower crossguards are smooth to the touch, have a light patina over their surfaces, and fit the grip to a tee.
An absolutely killer scabbard accompanies this early SS officer’s dagger. It is straight, void of any hits, dings, bends, creases, or dents. The outrageous period factory jet black enamel has survived at 99%, and one of the best that you will ever see. Just a hint of surface spidering is the only age present. Both upper and lower nickel fittings are in good order, with just minimal misshaping. As for the solid nickel chain, it’s a sweet assembly. All of the alternating skull and rune links are proper, and held securely by the original period connectors. The usually rather fragile burnishing which these chains had has held up very good on this assembly, and always nice to see. Where as the meandering swastika center band has lightened somewhat. As typical for these chains, the SS proof mark stamped on the reverse of the second link is shown in the one photo. Finally the Wotan’s knot is present, and the clip / spring functions fine.
We finish up with the blade. As we would hope, it’s a decent example. It remains full length, straight, void of any tipping, sharpening, buffing or cutting edge chips. There is some light surface imperfections as well as the typical runner marks, though neither all that unsightly. While the surface is clean, it still projects decent crossgrain on both sides. Typical for most early M36’s, a light gray burnished Meine Ehre heist Treue motto is shown in the photos.
There you have it. If you’ve been in search of an early all nickel bad ass SS officer’s dagger…… here it is! SOLD