Black SS, Armed SS, SS VT

Of aluminum thread, strap and body each with two black stripes, runes in circle on the stem, unissued. Condition 2+

Manufactured circa 1937. Excellent condition blade by maker “Pet. Dan. Krebs, Solingen”. The hilt with typical early nickel fittings with black grip, intact wire wrapping, original inset emblem, the background blued. The pommel plate and crossguard stamped with the SS runes in octagon, the maker's mark of Otto Gahr workshops in Munich. At the top the pommel cap with fine engraving of the initial “S” for Schwerk in Germanic style, the cipher is mirrored to use it as a seal. Under the pommel cap is the internal double screw thread, which is very typical for these early daggers. The steel scabbard with over 90% of the original black lacquer, the scabbard fittings with original bluing. Attached is the original officer's portepee. The dagger is lightly worn, in good untouched original condition, condition 2. 
Included is the original letter from Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, dated “Berlin SW 11, April 22, 1937”: 
“Dear Comrade Schwerk!
I inform you that on the occasion of our Führer's birthday and on the basis of your merits as SS-Oberführer and Regional Commander of the Deutscher Reichskriegerbund, I have awarded you the SS Dagger.
The presentation and official award of the SS Dagger will take place in a ceremonial form at a later date.
Carry the dagger with honor!
Heil Hitler! Yours, H. Himmler”.
Also included is the original reply letter from Schwerk to Himmler, on letterhead “Deutscher Reichskriegerbund.. Regional District Southeast The Regional Commander SS-Oberführer”, dated Breslau, June 4, 1937:
“To the Reichsführer-SS Personnel Office Berlin SW 11
For the award of the SS Dagger by decree of April 20, 1937, I express my most sincere thanks. - The presentation took place in ceremonial form at a leaders' conference of SS-Oberabschnitt Southeast on June 3 of this year by Gruppenführer von dem Bach.
It is for me as an old soldier a self-evident matter of honor to carry the dagger with honor for the rest of my life.
Heil Hitler! Schwerk SS-Oberführer”.
At the bottom of the letter is the receipt stamp of the SS Personnel Office, dated June 5, 1937. Both letters hole-punched, in good condition.

This dagger is illustrated in the reference book by Thomas T. Wittmann “Exploring The Dress Daggers and Swords of the German SS” on page 369. Also included is a COA from 2022 from our highly esteemed colleague and edged weapons expert Thomas T. Wittmann.



The SS Honor Dagger for Leaders was personally awarded by the Reichsführer-SS with a certificate. The regular officer's dagger, which could be privately procured or officially issued (with SS runes on the blade), had no SS runes on the hilt fittings to distinguish it.

Oskar Schwerk (born July 16, 1869 in Hünern, Kreis Trebnitz; died November 14, 1950) was a German Major General and SS-Obergruppenführer. He entered the 3rd Lower Silesian Infantry Regiment No. 50 as an officer cadet on October 15, 1887. In 1889 promoted to Second Lieutenant, in 1896 to First Lieutenant. Schwerk was transferred to Infantry Regiment No. 154 on April 1, 1897 and subsequently served as adjutant at the local district command from October 1, 1898 to September 18, 1901. In the same function, Schwerk then served with the 31st Infantry Brigade, promoted to Captain in 1902. In 1905 appointed company commander in Infantry Regiment “Herwarth von Bittenfeld” (1st Westphalian) No. 13 in Münster. Concurrent with his promotion to Major, Schwerk became adjutant of the 2nd Division in Insterburg on February 21, 1911. In 1914 commander of III Battalion in the 3rd Upper Silesian Infantry Regiment No. 62 in Ratibor. With this regiment, Schwerk fought after the outbreak of World War I in France at Neufchâteau, on the Meuse and in the battles at Varennes and Vaubecourt-Fleury.  On November 12, 1914, Schwerk became commander of the 4th Lower Silesian Infantry Regiment No. 51. In the further course of the war, the regiment participated with the 11th Division in the Winter Battle in Champagne, in June/July in the fighting in Artois, and in September/October 1915 in the Autumn Battle at La Bassée and Arras. This was followed by trench warfare west of Péronne and in January/February 1916 the fighting at Frise. Meanwhile, Schwerk had become Lieutenant Colonel on January 27, 1916. In summer and autumn, Schwerk participated with his regiment in the Battle of the Somme and was able to repel enemy attacks several times in his sector. For these achievements he was awarded the Order Pour le Mérite on September 21, 1916.

In spring 1917, Schwerk stood with his regiment in heavy defensive fighting in the St. Laurent-Tilloy lez Mosslaines sector. In the Easter Battle at Arras, the British overran the first two positions of his front sector. Schwerk then withdrew with his staff to the third position and from there successfully directed the defense against the enemy infantry advancing under the protection of a tank, preventing the breakthrough attempt of April 9, 1917. Schwerk was wounded so severely by a shell hit the following day that amputation of his left leg became necessary. For his personal commitment, he was then awarded the Oak Leaves to the Pour le Mérite on May 2, 1917, as the first regimental commander.

Since he was no longer fit for field duty due to his severe injury, he was appointed Inspector of Military Penal Institutions on January 18, 1918 after his recovery and promoted to Colonel on July 15, 1918. In mid-September 1918 followed his appointment as Commandant of Berlin. With the end of the Empire and the proclamation of the Republic, Schwerk handed over this post to his successor Otto Wels on November 9, 1918, under whom he served as Second Commandant until Christmas Eve. He was then transferred to Breslau and appointed Inspector of the local Landwehr Inspection. In this function he organized the security police of the Silesian capital until his retirement from active military service on January 31, 1920.

After his retirement, Schwerk was 1st Chairman of the Officers' Association of the former 4th Lower Silesian Infantry Regiment No. 51 and leader of the Provincial War Veterans' Association for Silesia. As such, he was also leader of SA Reserve II in Silesia. In the SA he reached the rank of Standartenführer.

On May 20, 1937, he applied for membership in the NSDAP and was accepted retroactively to May 1 of the same year (membership number 5,420,196). Member of the SS (SS number 276,825), most recently promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer on July 16, 1944. In addition to his function as Regional Leader Southeast of the NS-Reichskriegerbund, he was also Gau Leader Southeast and District Leader Breslau-Stadt for this organization. Schwerk received the honorary rank of Major General on August 27, 1939, the so-called Tannenberg Day. During World War II, he was also from September 1943 to May 1945 the Gauleiter's Commissioner for the Unified Direction of War Veterans' Associations Gau Lower Silesia.

This is an SS dagger manufactured by Robert Klaas, Solingen, circa 1934. Well-preserved blade with motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty) and maker's mark “Robert Klaas Solingen”, black grip with original applied insignia, the grip shows only minor chipping below the pommel, nickel fittings, the crossguard stamped with an “I” for the Ordnance Depot in München, blued scabbard with nickel fittings, lightly worn dagger in good condition. Condition 2

Aluminum thread, the strap with two black stripes each. Unworn piece, Condition 2+

Clean blade with maker's mark of “Gottlieb Hammesfahr Solingen-Foche”, the Röhm dedication preserved but ground down centrally from the scabbard, the crossguard stamped with “II” for Reichszeugmeisterei in Dresden, black grip with original inset SS runes, the eagle probably reinserted, the scabbard repainted black, with dagger carrying case. Condition 2-

This saber is a production by WKC, Solingen, circa 1935. The hilt is silver-plated with oak leaf decoration. At the top, the pommel is domed with raised (!) SS runes against a granulated background. On the obverse of the crossguard with applied sunwheel, the background granulated, on the reverse a recumbent swastika against a granulated background. Complete with the original knotted sword knot for SS officers 1st model, black, with silver strands. Bright steel blade with maker's mark knight's helmet above “WKC”. The steel scabbard with black original lacquer finish. Overall length 105.5 cm. The saber shows light wear, the lacquer finish of the scabbard still very well preserved. Complete with the original black pear-shaped leather hanger. The blade shows age-related traces at the ricasso, otherwise in good overall condition.
An extremely rare variant in deluxe execution, we are not aware of any other example.

Version with short blade, zinc hilt, nickel plating still in very good condition, checkered synthetic grip scales, black repainted steel scabbard, complete with dress bayonet carrying bag and Waffen-SS bayonet portepee, used piece, in good condition. Condition 2

This bayonet was explicitly manufactured for the VT-SS, instead of the usual manufacturer logo it bears the unit number “N II/9”, and “3323”.
Extremely rare!!!

Very well preserved blade, obverse etched with motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty), reverse with Himmler dedication “In herzlicher Kameradschaft - H. Himmler” (In Cordial Comradeship - H. Himmler), small maker's mark of Carl Eickhorn Solingen, nickel fittings, underside of crossguard stamped with workshop number “0”, black grip shows minor chipping on both sides, emblems are perfectly fitted, very fine burnished scabbard is dent-free, scabbard fittings in nickel, complete with short leather hanger and belt carrying loop. A very well preserved dagger with Himmler dedication.
truly difficult to obtain in this condition. Condition 2

Bright blade with manufacturer's mark of “WKC”. Nickel-plated steel hilt, black wooden grip with intact aluminum wire wrapping, SS runes visible on the pommel. Black lacquered steel scabbard retaining a good 95% of original lacquer, throat and chape nickel-plated. Very fine dagger, in untouched original condition. Condition 2.
Rarely found, as no daggers were issued to SS officer candidates during the war.

Early production by “Gottlieb Hammesfahr Solingen Foche”, the blade somewhat dull, nickel fittings, the crossguard stamped “II”, the roundel with noticeably slanted runes, the scabbard repainted long ago, approximately 50% of the paint still present, pressure mark on the front side, with original chain hanger, missing the adjustment strap, signs of age and use, otherwise well preserved. Condition 2-

Black 13 mm fabric strap with three silver interwoven strands, the tassel, crown, stem made of silver thread, very rare, likely unworn. Condition 2+

White cord with two black stripes on each side, tassel black and white, otherwise white. Unissued condition with slight storage marks. Condition 2+

So-called chain dagger, slightly tarnished blade with motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty), regulation unmarked without maker’s designation, black wooden grip with nickel fittings, the grip shows only minor chips and stress cracks, blued scabbard, the scabbard fittings of nickel-plated iron, chain of Type B2, marked on reverse with Gahr hallmark, complete with belt carrying loop. Worn dagger showing age and wear. Condition 2-

Early pattern before 1933, nickel-plated and etched blade with motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” and floral motifs, ground/sharpened somewhat slimmer, without maker's mark, steel hilt with checkered grip scales of black synthetic material, solid crossguard, the swastika and runes on the pommel are ground off, black steel scabbard, this partially (old) repainted, with leather carrying loop, distinctly worn piece with normal age traces, very rare. Condition 2-

In this pattern there are also early Hitler Youth daggers with corresponding motto and HJ flag, partially colored.

So-called chain dagger. Slightly tarnished blade with motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty), regulation without maker's mark, black wooden grip with nickel fittings, the grip shows a crack at the eagle, the scabbard blued, shows a dent in the lower third, the scabbard fittings as well as the suspension chain also made of nickel, the chain of Type B1, marked on reverse with Gahr maker's mark, the symbolic chain links retain nice blackening, complete with tied portepee (sword knot). The dagger is worn, in good condition. Condition 2-
Since February 1943, leaders of the Waffen-SS were authorized to equip their Service Dagger M 36 with a portepee for the duration of the war.

This is an early production by the firm Robert Klaas Solingen, the dedication “In herzlicher Kameradschaft Ernst Röhm” completely removed, circa 1933. The blade is very well preserved. Nickel fittings, the crossguard stamped “III” for the Zeugmeisterei in Berlin, black wooden grip with original inset emblems, blued scabbard also with nickel fittings, complete with short leather hanger. Barely worn piece. Condition 2

This is a piece manufactured circa 1934/35 by the firm Eduard Gembruch, Solingen-Gräfrath, blade with some spotting bearing the motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty), reverse marked with manufacturer code “RZM M.7/8”, nickel fittings, black wooden grip with original inset emblems, blued scabbard with nickel fittings, the chape slightly dented. Worn dagger, light signs of age and use, otherwise still in good condition. Condition 2.

Example with completely preserved Röhm dedication, maker's mark of “Rich. Herder Solingen”, very well preserved blade, however shortened at the tip by approximately 1.5 cm and cleanly polished. The black grip exhibits stress cracks and chipping, the eagle in nickel finish, the SS emblem with paint damage, the grip fittings of nickel, the blued scabbard is somewhat fly-spotted with short leather hanger. Worn dagger with normal age and wear signs. Condition 2-
An honest and unaltered dagger, comes directly from a private household.

Example with completely preserved Röhm dedication, manufacturer's mark of “Carl Eickhorn Solingen”, the blade somewhat spotted, in the area of the false edge small signs of corrosion are visible, nickel fittings with green patina, the crossguard stamped with SS membership number “28967” as well as the Roman numeral “III” for Reichszeugmeisterei in Berlin, the underside of the crossguard marked with workplace number “0”, black wooden grip with stress cracks and chips, the emblems are originally installed, fine blued scabbard with nickel silver fittings, complete with chain hanger. An untouched dagger, in as-found condition, still uncleaned, condition 3/3-.

SS-Sturmbannführer der Res. Helmut Schmitt, born on 6.3.1910, SS membership no. 28967, 30.1.1934 promotion to SS-Untersturmführer, 9.11.1937 promotion to SS-Obersturmführer in the medical unit XXX, member of the SS-Lebensborn, bearer of the SS Death's Head Ring. Entry into the Waffen-SS, seconded from the SS-Pionier Schule to the 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (galizische Nr. 1), last promotion to SS-Sturmbannführer der Reserve on 30.1.1944. Enclosed in photocopy are extracts from the SS seniority lists of 1938 and 1944.

Short blade, very well-preserved nickel plating, maker “Rich. Abr. Herder Solingen”, nickel-plated zinc hilt with intact grip scales, black scabbard with approximately 85% of original lacquer, black belt shoe with two reinforcement rivets, attached SS sword knot, very rare portepee with standard side knife, very good condition. Condition 2

Made of aluminum thread, with black stripes, only minor signs of age and use, otherwise very well preserved. Condition 2

This is an ex-Röhm SS dagger M1933 adapted to M1936.
Well-preserved blade with motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty), the Röhm dedication completely and cleanly removed, maker Carl Eickhorn Solingen, flawless black grip with undamaged pommel medallion featuring SS runes and original inset eagle in nickel finish, the crossguard and pommel also made of nickel, the crossguard reverse stamped with “I” for Reichszeugmeisterei in München, the scabbard blued, showing slight corrosion traces, the scabbard fittings made of nickel-plated steel, the suspension chain Type B-2, nickel finish, the Wotan knot with clip made of iron.
The scabbard with slight rust traces, the dagger itself condition 2

circa 1936/38. Aluminum thread with black strands, tassel and crown slightly matte and toned, unworn, only minimal storage marks, remnant of an RZM label attached. Condition 2+

This is a piece manufactured circa 1934/35 by the firm Eduard Gembruch, Solingen-Gräfrath. Aside from minor corrosion spots on the reverse edge, clean blade with motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty), reverse side marked with manufacturer designation “Ed. Grembruch Solingen”, nickel fittings, the crossguard marked with Roman numeral “III” for Reichszeugmeisterei in Berlin, black wooden grip with original inset emblems, the scabbard blued with small spots of surface rust, scabbard fittings of nickel alloy. Worn dagger with normal age-related wear. Condition 2

Good craftsmanship, unused, good replacement for an original that is nearly impossible to obtain. Condition 2

 Clean blade by an unknown maker with RZM code “1317/40 SS”, fittings of nickel-plated zinc, black wooden grip with stress cracks, aluminum eagle and lacquered SS emblem, black lacquered scabbard with nickel-plated fittings. A well-preserved SS dagger with normal signs of age. Condition 2

Made of aluminum thread, with black interwoven strands, only minor signs of age and use, otherwise well preserved. Condition 2

Early production by Gottlieb Hammesfahr Solingen Foche. The motto “Meine Ehre Heißt Treue” still clear and legible, the Röhm dedication completely removed, nickel fittings, the crossguard marked with Roman numeral III for Reichszeugmeisterei in Berlin and SS membership number “20494”, black grip with original inset insignia, blued scabbard, the chape compressed, nickel fittings, with short leather hanger. Worn, in good condition. Condition 2

Nickel silver hilt with lion’s head pommel, on the guard tabs the national eagle with outstretched wings, on the other side with runes “SS”, black plastic grip with intact wire wrapping, perfectly preserved, slightly curved blade with maker “Alcoso ACS, Solingen”, painted steel scabbard with one carrying ring, the scabbard shows a slight dent in the lower section, with attached SS officer portepee sword knot, lightly worn. A very well-preserved saber. Rare. Condition 2
Overall length 980mm

Early production by unknown manufacturer, RZM Code “120/34 SS”. The crossguards made of nickel silver, lower one marked with Roman numeral “I” for Reichszeugmeisterei in München, blade somewhat stained, the motto clear and distinct, the grip assembly originates from another SS dagger, the scabbard corroded, fittings made of nickel silver, with vertical hanger and belt carry loop. A dagger showing considerable signs of age and wear. A typical attic find from a Hamburg household, condition 2-3.

Made of aluminum thread, with black interwoven strands, only slight signs of age and wear, very well preserved. Condition 2

This is the classic manufacture by Böker, Solingen, circa 1933. Very well preserved blade with motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” (My Honor is Loyalty), reverse side “In herzlicher Kameradschaft Ernst Röhm” (In Cordial Comradeship Ernst Röhm) and oval maker's mark “Böker Solingen”, the original polish of the blade and gray toning of the dedication still very well preserved. The grip with original inset eagle and SS runes, the grip fittings in nickel finish, the crossguard reverse stamped “I” for the regional ordnance depot Munich, blued steel scabbard with nickel fittings. Lightly worn, on the scabbard the ball on the chape slightly dented, on the grip a small chip on the reverse under the upper quillon, condition 2.

A very rare dagger.
The SS Honor Dagger with still completely preserved Röhm dedication is certainly one of the rarest SS Honor Daggers, as nearly all daggers had the Röhm dedication completely removed.

Background: After the “Night of the Long Knives,” the so-called Röhm Putsch in June/July 1934, during which Ernst Röhm and many other SA leaders were murdered, Röhm fell into disgrace. Hitler ordered that his name must be removed from the daggers. Thus only a few daggers remained which were not reworked.

Black leather strap with three passes of aluminum thread, tassel and stem of aluminum thread, the grip black, unworn but with light signs of aging, well preserved. Condition 2+

Very well preserved blade with manufacturer code “RZM 534/38/SS” for “Arthur Schüttelhöfer”, nickel fittings, the grip without damage, the emblems originally set, the scabbard with nearly 100% of the original lacquer, nickel-plated fittings, with chain hanger, only lightly worn, with slight signs of age, but still very well preserved. Condition 2

Made of aluminum thread, strap and filling each with two black interwoven strands, on the stem the runes in a circle, unworn, still originally tied together. Condition 2+

Made of aluminum thread, with black interwoven strands, signs of age and use, very well preserved. Condition 2-