SA Chained High Leader Dagger by Eickhorn

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SA Ehrendolch für Höhere Führer Modell 1938 by Carl Eickhorn of Solingen. The SA High Leader Dagger was bestowed upon selected SA High Leaders by Victor Lutze. A wonderful opportunity for you to purchase an untouched original Chained SA High Leader Dagger. The blade is constructed out of a hand-forged “maiden-hair” pattern Damascus steel. The obverse depicts a raised SA motto, which reads: “Alles Für Deutschland” and is flanked by a three-leaf sprig and acorn, which are gold gilded. The reverse displays the double oval “Carl Eickhorn Solingen” maker mark, which is also raised and gilded. The condition of the blade rates Exc++. Only traces of the original gilding remain. The blade shoulders perfectly fit the lower crossguard. The tang is correctly stamped “DAMAST” and numbered “175”. The scabbard shell is perfectly straight and is covered with the original fine tumble grain brown leather. The leather shows some signs of period age wear from the chain and shrinkage revealing the base of the shell to the edges. There is a minor ½ inch by ¼ inch repair to the side. It looks to be a period repair. The leather runs up to the upper and lower fittings. Verdigris has built into the cracks. 95%+ of the leather coverage remains intact. The center band is a fold-over fitting that was installed over top of the leather surface and riveted into place, as was the case with early High Leader examples. They were upgraded in the period with the addition of the fitting and chain. The chain hanger is attached to the scabbard by small round wire ring connectors. These ring connectors are fitted through the eyelets, which accompany the upper and center scabbard fitting. The chain hanger assembly consists of five upper and seven lower links. Each link is rectangular in shape and has a centrally placed, raised out, static swastika. The inner links are equipped with a loop on each of the four sides. These built-in loops are used to connect the links together with small round metal tabs. The end links of both chain assemblies merely have holes drilled into them where small rings connect them directly to the proper hardware. The two outer chains connect to a round burnished SA emblem and separately soldered on clip. The spring is original and continues to work well. The reverse of the chain assembly is in the same condition showing beautiful age patina. The scalloped scabbard fittings feature a burnished line-paneled pattern to both sides. The obverse-top one has a small pressure mark. These scabbard fittings are retained by early silvered screws. The round lower ball is perfectly round. The cast nickel-silver hand enhanced burnished crossguards depict the high-relief oak leaf and acorn pattern. The crossguards and scabbard mounts match perfectly in color and patina. The crossguards are internally numbered “106”. The brown hardwood grip is a medium contour ridge constructed type. It shows the common pressure mark throughout along with two cracks to the reverse side. It has very attractive color tones and remnants of its original lacquer. It is also numbered. The grip remains in excellent condition, fitting the crossguards quite nicely. The SA roundel is beautifully set into the grip and it continues to retain 99% of its enamel. The grip eagle is a fine silver-toned example, being the “high necked” variety, most often observed on these honor examples. The top tang nut snugly secures the grip and crossguards in place. All of the components feature even age patina wear throughout. An outstanding original Chained SA High Leader dagger and one of the few that has never seen restoration work. German craftsmanship at its best!