Early Personalized SA Dagger by Karl Malsch

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

Here we have a Rare Early Model 1933 SA Dagger (Sturmabteilung Dienstdolch) by Karl Malsch. This one rates 9 out of 10 on McSaars SA rarity rating list! The blade on this one looks to have been sharpened ever so slightly. The acid etched "Alles für Deutschland" motto and "Karl Malsch Steinbach Kr. Mein Gust Sohn" maker mark are both nicely executed! The the reverse we have, "Treue um Treue, Verliehen am 12.11.36 vom Führer des Sturmes 13/R94 Schwarzenau.". Pls forgive my spelling but this is cursive and difficult to make out. Translated the first line is the common German motto ‘loyalty for loyalty’ and the inscription reads ‘presented on the 12.11.36 by the leader of Sturm 13 of Reserve-Standarte 94’, and he seems to have been called Schwarzenau. Reserve-Standarte 94 was part of SA Gruppe Thueringen, it was in Brigade 42, and had its headquarters in Erfurt. I wasn’t sure at first that Schwarzenau wasn’t the name of the town or village where Sturm 13 was based, but I did a check and there’s nowhere of that name in that region of Germany, so I’m assuming that it’s the name of the officer who presented the dagger and not the location. It’s interesting to see that it’s a Malsch manufactured dagger, as many no doubt have noticed that the centrally based SA groups in Germany [Mitte/Sachsen/Thueringen etc.] seemed to get the lion’s share of the non-Solingen made daggers. The tip comes to a sharp point, good crossgrain and the fit remains nice and tight! This blade rates an Exc. The original scabbard is steel based anodized and lacquered. 98% of the anodizing remains and 80%+ of the lacquer! A week spot of oxidizing is one the upper reverse. It shows the odd scratch throughout yet remains completely dent free! The solid nickel-silver scabbard fittings look excellent matching the crossguards in color and patina! The ball is crushed. Four screws are in place. The lower two are incorrect replacements. The scabbard / crossguard fit is near perfect and closes with a snap! The crossguards are also nickel-silver based. The brown hardwood grip looks good remaining chip and crack-free. The solid nickel eagle retains beautiful details. The SA roundel has a perfect fit and retains 97%+ of its enamel. A rare one that could be researched!!