Description
This is a super honest, clean example of the rare NSKK chained officer dagger just as found in a WW2 combat veterans estate. As a trophy of war, you couldn’t ask for a cleaner untouched example. The plated metal is degrading slightly as shown but not really distracting to the overall high quality and detail of the dagger.
Dagger Information – NSKK Model 1936 Chained Dagger
In 1936, the leader of the NSKK, Huhnlein, followed Himmlers example in the SS and introduced a new dagger for officers, NCO’s and other ranks who had joined the NSKK prior to January 1933. Again, like the SS, daggers the chains were added to existing daggers owned by officers. New Officers were given the new style dagger post 1937.
The dagger was produced by Eickhorn as well as a number of other firms, and based upon the standard 1933 NSKK dagger. It had a black scabbard similar to the NSKK 1933 dagger but with an additional plain central mount fitting.
The chain was made from linked square plates bearing the Nazi sun wheel swastika, the NSKK emblem and a Nordic triangular “Thurs” rune which symbolized the power of the God Thor, the controller of the weather, and the energy of the conscious and unconscious mind. The suspension clip featured two oak leaves and an acorn.
Early examples of the chained dagger were made from nickel silver while the later daggers were made from nickel-plated steel. Eickhorn subcontracted the making of the chains to F W Assman and Sohne. Each chain was stamped with the RZM code of M5/8 (F W Assman and Sohne) and also Musterschutz NSKK – Korpsfurung (Copyright of the NSKK High Command). Note that there are other makers of this chain, the most common is the RZM 5/8.
Production of the dagger ceased in 1942. Daggers such as this are considered a rarity of 9+ on a 10 scale.
Note:
On May 19, 1936, NSKK-Korpsführer Adolf Hühnlein ordered all NSKK dagger scabbards to be black painted or factory-anodized to differentiate from the SA. Some members chose to paint their scabbard black (homemade), while others purchased new scabbards in the authorized color. Shortly after factory made NSKK daggers with issued with the correct black painted scabbards. The M36 NSKK Chained Leaders Daggers were for the rank of NSKK-Sturmführer and above.
