Historical Prototype SS Full Rohm Honor Dagger by Pack – RC153
The description of this edged weapon could comprise an entire chapter in a reference on 3rd Reich daggers in itself. In this offering is not only the forerunner prototype example of what the M33 SS daggers were going to be modeled after, but also is the precursor to the introduction of the Rohm dedicated Honor daggers as well. Before standard production of what we collectors know as the Model 1933 SS dagger, both Eickhorn as well as Ernst Pack were likely chosen to manufacture and present to the top leaders within SS / SA a style of dagger to be approved for these paramilitary organizations. While there are very few surviving examples of the introductory extremely early manufactured SA daggers in collections, there are only 4 known SS prototypes as this in existence and discovered up to this point in time. Here is one of them.
While manufactured in the same general style as the typical M33’s, you have to remember that these first prototypes were made with components which had not been definitely 100% approved for standard production. The edged weapon firms were trying out different variations in order to see what changes needed to be made for final approval. You can see that with the grip eagle design in this handle, additionally on how it was attached. In this case, it is a political style stick pin which was modified and pinned with a brad to hold it in place. With this dagger no doubt being manufactured in January of 1934, we know this design changed the very next month, when production started on the introduction of the Rohm Honor daggers. The rest of the hilt components are pretty much unchanged for what soon became standard production. You may even notice the straight across look to the lower crossguard. A typical trait of the E Pack firm in regard to both SA and SS daggers.
The scabbard to this dagger exhibits a high gloss blue oxide finish which is absolutely gorgeous. The way that it has held up significantly better than scabbards produced shortly thereafter, tends to point to the fact that this higher quality process was probably modified because it was more expensive or time consuming for mass production. The narrower lower ball fitting as well as the short length upper fitting are both a “fingerprint” characteristic which many collectors recognize with Pack produced SS / SA scabbards.
And finally, the blade……..where do I start on that. Of course, you notice the Meine Ehre heist Treue is no doubt comparable to anything that you have ever seen on an SS blade before. And that is because very few collectors have ever seen, let alone examined one of these extremely ultra rare SS prototypes. Of the 4 known, 2 have this etch, and the other 2 have a slight variation of it. What is known, is the fact that this all changed with the Fraktur letter design adopted just a month later. Lastly, is the Full Rohm inscription on the reverse of this blade still intact in its entirety. It absolutely doesn’t get any better to complete such a historic edged weapon, which was the forerunner pattern that soon became the infamous Model 1933 SS dagger as we know it.
A Full Rohm Prototype SS of the highest importance and historical value. This rare edged weapon was purchased from the U.S. veteran’s grandson in 2019. $100,000.00