ID’d M33 SS Dagger by Herder – D1106
For some collectors including myself, there is just an alure and draw to crusty ole untouched daggers like the one in this offering. Though rode hard and literally put away wet, this SS dagger is still all complete, and has a neat appearance for those who can appreciate such an edged weapon. No doubt worn proudly almost daily by it’s owner, it oozes with the dark history of those turbulent times.
In spite of the weathered superficial surface line cracks to this handle, it is still very much intact. The reason being, of the few manufactures of these early SS daggers, Herder was one such edged weapon firm that we don’t see all that much in the way of unsightly chips to the grips on their M33’s. So yes, the lines are there, though the hilt and grip are very much firm and solid. And you want to take about crusty, take a look at the eagle and SS runic emblems! The high neck eagle is nearly perfect, where as the runes has some wear to the silvering of the lighting bolts and border rings. As for the nickel silver fittings, it doesn’t get any more “green” than what you are seeing here in the photos. Man alive, talk about the adjective, untouched! The underside of the crossguard is stamped with the number; 74 887 which we will address later in this writeup.
Although this period repainted scabbard exhibits plenty of wear and age, it is void of any splits, dings, hits, or bends. A thick coat of black enamel paint has been added by the owner of this edged weapon, in order to keep with the spit and polished appearance that these paramilitary soldiers were expected to keep. The paint is thick, thick brushed on, wavy, aged, and worn. I love it! Both upper and lower nickel fittings are in place, and held firm to this shell. Finally, wrapped around the upper section of this scabbard is a pre RZM coffin shaped black hanger. The buckle / snap clip are intact, and function fine.
And we finish up with the blade. Aside from all the age to the other components to this edged weapon, the blade on this dagger is fairly damn nice! It remains straight, full length, void of any major pitting, tipping, buffing, or abuse. Avowed there is some very minor sharpening, and surface smudges, though what would you expect for such from a frozen in time edged weapon as this dagger truly is. It still projects the fine line factory surface crossgrain on the obverse. As a testament of the untouched condition that this Herder SS dagger remains in, each and every letter of the Meine Ehre heist Treue is as dark as the day that it was etched on the obverse of this blade. On the reverse and observed under close examination there is evidence that indicated that this was once a Rohm Honor dagger. Finally as shown is the diamond logo of this renown firm to have manufactured some of the finest early SS dagger found, that being the Rich Abr Herder company.
As mentioned in the title, this edged weapon has been owner identified through research at the National Archives, which was conducted by Ross Kelbaugh in 2008. It identifies SS Rottenfuhrer Hans Fuchs as the recipient of this SS Rohm Honor dagger. There are 17 pages of copied documents in the folder which outline Fuchs’ SS unit, NSDAP number, SS registration membership card, and more. Rarely encountered is the identification of the soldier tied to the ownership of any 3rd Reich edged weapon in collections today. But how about one to a junior NCO in the early formation of the Allgemeine SS, how cool is that!
Such a neat dagger in every aspect. I should keep this one for myself! $4495.00