The SA Honor Dagger represents one of the most fascinating examples of National Socialist ceremonial weapons and documents the complex evolution of paramilitary awards in the Third Reich. This particular piece is a hybrid example: an SA Honor Dagger originally manufactured in the Model 1933 pattern, later fitted with the 1938-pattern chain suspension. This combination makes the object a significant witness to the transitional phase between different SA award variants.
The Sturmabteilung (SA), also known as the “Brownshirts,” was formed in 1921 as the original paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party. Following the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, the SA dagger was introduced as part of the SA dress uniform. While standard daggers were produced in millions of examples for an organization that had nearly three million members by the mid-1930s, the Honor Daggers represented an entirely different category.
SA Honor Daggers were non-standardized presentation pieces distinguished from service daggers by Damascus blades and enhanced oak leaf decoration on crossguards. These prestige pieces were awarded for merit or special service within the SA. The early Honor Daggers from the 1933-1935 period were issued under SA Chief of Staff Ernst Röhm. After Röhm's execution on July 1, 1934 during the so-called “Night of the Long Knives” – a bloody purge within the Nazi Party – his successor Viktor Lutze continued production.
In 1938, Lutze introduced the standardized High Leader Honor Dagger with chain suspension. This new variant was characterized by swastika-link chains and was specifically intended for SA High Leaders who had excelled in their duties. The present example represents either an early Honor Dagger retrofitted with the newer chain type, or a transitional production combining features of the 1933 body with 1938 suspension hardware.
Manufacture was carried out by Carl Eickhorn Solingen, one of the most prestigious blade manufacturers in Solingen, Germany. The company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn and traced its blade-making heritage back 500 years. The Damascus blade bears the stamp “Damast” on the tang as well as the number “173”. On the ricasso area of the blade reverse is the oval maker mark “Carl Eickhorn Solingen” with the characteristic squirrel trademark.
The blade displays on the obverse the raised and gilded motto “Alles für Deutschland” (All for Germany), with oak leaf decoration at both ends. The crossguards feature plastic oak leaf decoration on both sides, while the scabbard fittings are adorned with decorative grooves. The brown wooden grip is fitted with inlaid enameled SA rune and national eagle. The 1938-adapted suspension chain consists of rectangular links with swastika decoration in silver-plated iron, with the upper clip bearing the SA rune. The dark brown leather covering of the scabbard completes the ensemble.
These Honor Daggers were not mass issues but rather private-purchase items for presentation purposes. While over 200 manufacturers produced SA daggers between 1933 and 1936 – a number reduced to 62 after RZM standardization – Damascus-bladed Honor Daggers remained extraordinarily rare. Production of all ceremonial daggers ceased in 1942 when resources were conserved for the war effort.
Following Germany's defeat in 1945, SA daggers became sought-after war souvenirs for Allied soldiers. In the post-war period and continuing today, SA daggers, particularly rare Damascus Honor variants, are collected as historical militaria. Damascus-bladed SA Honor Daggers by prestigious makers like Carl Eickhorn are among the most desirable and valuable SA dagger variants in the collector market, documenting a dark but historically significant chapter of German history.
