ID’ed Lazy-Man Rohm SS Dagger – D1239

If you collect for condition then stop now, but if you like the story in this offering there is a dirty, filthy, greasy, sinister, evil, wicked looking dagger that makes the hair on my neck stand up waiting for you! It is not going to win any beauty contest but this dagger speaks to you and tells a story in so many ways.

Starting with the grip, it is in fine collector condition and actually has a light tiger stripping to it which is just an added bonus to this fine piece of wood. The runes button is still firmly in place and appears like someone intentionally marked /poked around it with someone hard. The national eagle is also firmly inserted into the wood grip and there are only minor chipping here and there mainly on the reverse. Early nickel crossguards both top and bottom have taken on a toned look and as if that is not enough check out the back of the lower guard. There you will find that it lacks any district mark and is neatly marked with the SS number of the original owner, 9139! SS number 9139 belong to Rudolf Fruchtl:

DOB 22.3.1909
NSDAP Nr. 511 154
RANK SS-Untersturmfuhrer ( 12.9.1937 )
SERVICE UbungsLager Dachau ( Dachau training camp – 1937 )
AWARDS SA Sportabzeichen

As if an ID’s dagger is not enough the story keeps going. While I typically don’t take apart daggers this one came with something a bit special as when it was taken apart it uncovered original German paper shims! Probably inserted by Rudolf or during the manufacturing process.

Moving to the scabboard there is not a ton to write home about here. While it is not in perfect condition, the good thing is, it is all there with nothing missing, replaced, repaired, etc. All the original anodizing has gone with time and there is a dent on one of the sides but luckily it has no impact on the blade being fully inserted. All the nickel fittings are held firmly in place by 4 original dome head screws. Attached to the upper fitting is the original vertical which shows the same age/wear consistent with the rest of the dagger.

We finish up with the blade and this is where the story continues to get good. On the obverse is an aged SS blade with the Meine Ehre HeiBt Treue motto. Yes, it is oxidized and probably sat in the scabboard for 50 years with some moisture. Moving to the reverse we see a similar condition and the maker mark of Eickhorn seated right up against the lower part of the blade as you want to see with this makers mark. And finally, revealed is the Rohm etch which Rudolf probably took it upon himself to remove the Rohm name. Who ever did, did a number on the blade showing the unprofessional grind. I believe that when done the tang was slightly bent as it is noted that the blade does gap off the lower guard just a bit and possibly adds to the story as to why the paper shims used in some way.

Complete SS dagger, numbered, ID’ed to a Dachau training camp solider, unique period paper shims, lazy-man’s Rohm, it’s close to checking all the boxes the only thing that would make this a $20K dagger is a bit more condition but this one is sure to not disappoint. $7795.00