Chained NSKK Dagger by RZM M7/66

German WWII > Edged Weapons > SA and NSKK Daggers > NSKK Leader Daggers

The well-known and respected dealer Tom Wittmann has previously described this dagger, so here it is:
This Chained NSKK Officer's Dagger is in very, very fine overall condition. It represents the last of the daggers made during the period by Carl Eickhorn, but the workmanship remains as good as it ever was. The crossguards are nickel-plated and have a very fine bright finish. There is a minuscule amount of lifting on the area of the guards where they meet the grip but this is a normal sight. The tang nut is also a fine example with bright plating. The grip is a typical RZM type, having Sharp Ridge construction. It is in perfect condition and nicely fits the guards. The grip has vertical wood grain and is a pleasing brown color. The SA runes button is perfectly placed and has fine enamel. The grip eagle is the zinc type that we see on daggers of this vintage. The beak of this bird points slightly upward and it shows only the most modest of wear. This excellent preservation is unusual given that the bird is mounted at the highest point of the grip dorsal contour. The scabbard shell is in outstanding condition. It is as straight as an arrow, with perfect original paint on the reverse. The obverse has just a couple of minor scratches. This paint retains the original factory shine and rates at about 98% intact. The scabbard mounts are also nickel-plated steel. These mounts are all in fine condition to include the lower ball. The plating retains a good shine and there is no visible rust anywhere. The throat is the thick style that we associate with Eickhorn pieces. The center ramp is the proper type with good, crisp edges. All of the mounts are retained by dome head steel screws, all of which appear unturned. The NSKK Chain is the style we see on late pieces. It is in a raw steel finish without plating. It has held up well, though, and there is little age visible on this chain. It has four upper links with the two sunwheel images in the center and NSKK eagles on each end. The lower chain has five links marked with alternating NSKK eagles and sunwheel links with the triangular NSKK rune. The shield on the snap clip is a fine example with excellent detailing to the oak leaves. The acorn is properly set in the recesses of the two leaves. The snap clip is in good working order. The first link on the upper chain is stamped "NSKK Musterschutz Korpsführung". The first link on the lower assembly is stamped "RZM 5/8", the code for the Assmann firm. The mint blade of this dagger is a beauty, being just as we like to see them; it is bright, as all of the original crossgraining and retains a needle-like tip. The motto, " Alles für Deutschland", is in a mint state, with crisp, deep etching and 100% of the original background darkening. The reverse is matching etched with a single RZM marking, positioned over the code for Eickhorn, "M 7/66". Beneath this is date of "1942". Again, this would be the last year that we see on Eickhorn daggers. A great NSKK example here that is in choice condition. This very fine dagger will enhance any collection.