SS M33 Service Dagger 

The SS M33 service dagger was introduced on December 15th 1933 for wear by all full SS members, regardless of rank. The dagger was intended as an ornamental item and the design was based on the traditional 16TH century Swiss “Holbein” hunting dagger as was being utilized for the SA personnel’s dagger with a different coloration and insignia. The daggers were bestowed annually to newly accepted SS members at 10:00pm on the anniversary of the unsuccessful Beer Hall Putsch, (November 9TH), in front of the Feldherrnhalle in Munich. Originally the daggers featured an anodized scabbard and utilized nice quality solid nickel/silver fittings until roughly early 1937 when the scabbards began to have a painted finish and cheaper nickel/silver plated fittings replaced the earlier solid nickel/silver fittings in 1938.

Late “RZM” dagger features a double edged, drop forged steel, nickel/silver plated blade with a low central ridge. The nickel/silver plated blade shows scabbard runners and light surface spotting but is still quite clean and bright with most of the original cross graining still being visible. The obverse of the blade has a nice, deep, well defined acid etched motto: “Meine Ehre Heißt Treue”. The reverse of the blade has a well defined acid etched “RZM” logo, SS runics and maker code “1211/39” for “E Pack & Sohn”. The dagger comes with a alloy metal cross guard, pommel and tang nut. The nicely shaped grip has a nice fit to the cross guard and pommel fittings. There is a couple of minor chips and wear marks to the grip. The grip has a solid metal/silver national eagle and enameled SS button nicely fit in place. The dagger comes with a black magnetic sheet metal scabbard with solid nickel/silver fittings. The top scabbard fitting retains both of its dome headed retaining screws and the hanger suspension ring and loop.

A great first dagger with signs of age and use!!