M33 SS Dagger of Erwin Tschentscher – D958

Fresh to the collecting community is the M33 dagger which belonged to a notable within the SS, standartenfuhrer Erwin Tschentscher. This infamous individual was an early member to the party when he joined in May 1930. Promoted to the rank of colonel in early 1937, Tschentscher went on to become the battalion chief in charge of supplies to 1 million SS troops engaged in the fight against the Soviets on the eastern front, as well as 25,000 personal stationed at various concentration camps. His direct association with the latter got him immediately arrested after the WWII, charged with war crimes against humanity, and a seat as a defendant at the Nuremberg trials. With the prosecutors unable at the trial to make that direct connection to inhumane conditions at the KZ camps , Tschentscher received a 10 year prison sentence at Landsberg. His SS DL record shows that he received the KVK w/swords, EKII, EKI, and SS honor sword. This dagger was unknown to the collecting community until I purchased it last summer, described only as an early M33 SS dagger when presented, and no mentioned that it was even numbered.

The grip to this early nickel silver M33 SS dagger is in excellent condition. Carved in a low profile contour the wood remains in great shape, being void of any major cracks, splits, flaking, or missing chunks of material. It has the typical light pressure marks, though that is pretty much it. In the center of the obverse the nickel eagle has turned dark with an undisturbed patina which has settled over it’s surface. The emblem is in great shape, exhibits killer detail, and void of any surface wear. At the top the same can be pretty much said for the SS runes button. Other than some slight surface imperfections to the enamel, the sigrunes is as nice as you would hope to find on any SS dagger. Both upper and lower crossguards remain smooth, with a dull patina over their surface, and fit the grip to a tee. On the bottom of the lower guard the number 2447 has been etched in to the surface. That 4 digit number belongs to none other than SS Standartenfuhrer Erwin Tschentscher. The numerals as well as the undersurface of the hardware which it has butted against, are completely covered with a thick grungy patina matching that of the upper lip of the scabbard. It is evident that this dagger has been stored in this fashion for years. Apparently the veteran who returned this souvenir after the war decided to sharpen the blade while it was still in the hilt fittings. I know, something that we don’t like to see, but things like this did happened. I once had a Himmler dagger in a home made leather scabbard. When questioned about it, the son of the vet said his dad used the dagger as his hunting knife! Well, anyway on to the SS dagger in this listing. While attempting to hone the edge of the blade, the previously owner of this dagger nicked both sides of the under crossguard. It is so fortunate that he didn’t go completely over the number, and totally efface it forever! There is just a little bit of the bottom of the #7 that the grind hit, and you can see that in the photo. Also interesting to note, there is no district number on this crossguard, and never had one. Something that we occasionally see with a handful of manufactures of these early nickel silver SS daggers. Studying the characteristics of this grip, fittings, and emblems, I’ve concluded that the unknown early manufacture 188/35 was the firm which produced this SS dagger. This edged weapon was likely was produced in 1934, just prior to this firm marking their blades with that code, just a short time later.

The scabbard to dagger is in average condition. It remains fairly straight, being void of any major dents, bends, splits, or twists. There is one little ding to the obverse, just down from the upper fitting. Though the bluing process has oxidized over the years, the upper section of the shell still has some areas of where the period factory lacquer is clinging to it. Evidence on the reverse of the shell points to this scabbard was once worn with a vertical hanger at one time. Both upper and lower nickel fittings are covered with age and patina, just like every other component of this edged weapon. And as mentioned, you can see the crusted throat where it lie matched up against the bottom of the crossguard for the last ¾ of a century. Through the upper fitting ring is an SS short hanger in good shape, with a nickel plated clip. While the leather is properly unmarked, it is with the correct black rivet head, as well as the small retaining loop.

No two ways about it, the veteran who brought this souvenir home felt the need to un-ceremonially sharpen it. Part of the history of this edged weapon, and that is the way that it is. With that aside, the blade still remains full length, void of any pitting, buffing, tipping, or cutting edge chips. Additionally, the Meine Ehre heist Treue motto is still intact including the light grey burnishing to each and every letter. Whew, fortunately that survived intact! The motto is an exact match to the unidentified maker RZM 188/35. That along with the grip characteristic point to the fact that this dagger was produced in 1934 by this very same firm. This edged weapon company must have been fairly well known and accomplished to have been chosen not only to produce SS daggers during the first year of production, but also the earliest nickel silver SS chain daggers when they were introduced in 1936 as well. As I have 2 early M36 daggers with the exact fore mentioned grip, eagle, runes, crossguards, and blade motto as this M33. Lastly this dagger truly had a mint blade until it was sharpened. Even the crossgrain is evident in the areas unaffected by the grinding wheel.

A fantastic attributed early M33 dagger belonging to a well know convicted war criminal, with a 15 year career in the SS organization. There is a flash drive with much more information gathered on Tschentscher that comes with the dagger.  SOLD