German Luger Collectibles

1933 SS Dagger

Ss Dagger

The SS (Schutzstaffel) was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf Hitler. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of Nazis and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. The SS dagger was introduced in 1933. Early on, members of the SS were awarded their daggers during a ceremony at the Feldherrnhalle Memorial in Munich. (FMSS33)

NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon. Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation. Please visit Legal (tabbed) for Conditions of Sale.


The annual ritual, charged with mysticism and meant to evoke the traditions of medieval Teutonic knights, was held on 9 November, the date of the unsuccessful Munich Putsch of 1923. Both officers and enlisted men wore the identical dagger until 1936. After this time, only enlisted men wore the M1933 dagger.

The blade just bowls the one over. It is stone mint other than the usual runner in-and-out marks. All of the cross grain is present. The SS motto, "Meine Ehre heisst Treue" just could not be any better. A perfect etch with all of the factory background in place.

The SS blade was a polished type containing the SS motto, Meine Ehre Heisst Treue (My Honor is Loyalty). Early examples bore one of three district stampings on the lower reverse crossguard of I, II, or III. Early examples were mostly hand-fit. Production of later examples was more standardized, using cheaper, nickel-plated fittings with black painted scabbard shells.

SS Dagger- Gottlieb Hammesfahr: The reverse is in the same nice condition. The ricasso is etched with the double ovals that contain the firm's name and location, "Gottlieb Hammesfahr/ Solingen". Inside, is the well-known logo featuring the pyramid with a plus sign at its front. The blade shoulders perfectly meet the lower crossguard contours.

The nickel grip eagle is the style with "point behind the head". It shows little wear and has excellent detail to the bird's head, breast and wing feathering, talons wreath and swastika.

The SS Dagger is equipped with nickel crossguards with an ebony wood grip. The black grip contained a National eagle with swastika insignia recessed in the center area and an SS sigrunne button inset at the top. The guards are in good condition, the lower example showing a few surface scratches at the left obverse quillon, but nothing serious. The edges remain crisp and the accent grooves are excellent. The ebony grip is a fine example with no repairs. It shows some very minor wearing signs, but there are no chips, splits or flaws. .

The rear of both the dagger and the sheath are in excellent condition. The scabbard shell is straight throughout. It reflects period black paint which was done over the original "anodized" finish. The sheath shows some typical wear with the original colorization showing under the black surface. The vertical lines on the dagger are from the still strong grip of the sheath and has never been polished or enhanced.

Adolph Hitler swearing in an SS Unit while holding the "Blood Flag" [Der Blutfahne] was the Nazi German hakenkreuz [swastika] flag that was used in the failed Beer Hall Putsch in Munich, Germany on 9 November 1923 soaked in the blood of an SA man killed in the Putsch.



The scabbard mounts are nickel, both being in excellent condition to include the never-dropped lower ball. The nickel screws are all in place and are unbuggered.

The German military had a single office that governed procurement; the Waffenamt or Office of War. All the original parts had a Waffenamt proof that was unique to the manufacturer to identify who made it but that it was property of the German Wehrmacht. Below on the hanger is the Waffenamt and then again on the back of the clasp is another marking.

The hanger is truly a unique and much sought after accessory for the SS and SA Daggers.

This grip precisely fits the cross guards. The SS runes button is installed straight up and down. The enamel is still in perfect condition. The SS runes reflect good silvering matching that of the dual circles that enclose it.

These Dagger were worn with the black "dress" uniforms for mostly ceremonial use only. The picture illustrates Hitler's bodyguard at some ceremony with the officer wearing an early 1933 SS Dagger. These were worn much like the SS sword but were issued to enlisted men.

The SS exhibited a very high 'esprit de corps' with personalized rings, daggers and even a tatoo to bind them to their oath and dedication to the Reich. The SS Runes and death head symbol was used on all the equipment to identify these men and units.

The bright blade is a nice example. It still has most of the factory cross grain and grades in near mint condition. The SS motto is crisp and deep, appearing to still have 100% of the original factory darkening in the letter backgrounds.

Turning the blade over offers the dedicated dagger collector a most pleasurable scene that one would never get tired of viewing.

The Legendary Oberst Sepp Dietrich with staff and Italian officers. Josef "Sepp" Dietrich was an Oberst-Gruppenführer in the Waffen-SS, the armed paramilitary branch of the Schutzstaffel, who commanded units up to army level during World War II.

LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

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3 Day Return Policy

We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

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