SA - Edged weapons of the Storm Detachment
SA - Service Dagger - Model 1933
History & Introduction:
The SA service dagger, Model 1933, was introduced on December 15, 1933, as the official service dagger for members of the Sturmabteilung (SA). It was not intended as a combat weapon, but rather as part of the service and dress uniform and served as a visible marker of membership in the organization.
The design, by Paul Woenne, professor at the Solingen School of Metal Design, was commissioned by Adolf Hitler. The design was deliberately based on a 16th-century Swiss dagger, as depicted in Hans Holbein the Younger's painting "The Ambassadors." This historicizing form was intended to establish a connection to traditional weapon designs.
The blade bears the etched motto "Everything for Germany" on the front. On February 3, 1934, the so-called SA Honor Dagger was also introduced, the reverse of which bore the inscription "In heartfelt comradeship, Ernst Röhm." Following the political events of 1934, this inscription was discontinued by decree of July 1, 1934.
Development & Execution:
The SA service dagger was manufactured in a uniform basic form throughout its production period. Differences arose primarily from the production period, the choice of materials, and the quality of workmanship. Basically, three production variants can be distinguished: early, mid-period, and late.
The SA badge on the grip is enameled. The grips are made of walnut, pear, or maple wood. Age-related defects such as cracks, chips, or dents in the wooden grips are common and typical. Both lacquered and blued scabbards are found on all variants.
Early version:
The early version is distinguished by its very high-quality workmanship. The fittings are made of nickel.
The lower crossguard bears a hand-stamped district marking (e.g., Ns for Lower Saxony or No for North Sea). The overall workmanship is very clean; the maker's mark is located on the blade.
Medium version:
In the middle production phase, the materials used are essentially the same as those used in the early version. The workmanship quality remains good to very good.
RZM is increasingly taking control of production.
Late execution:
The later version is characterized by material savings and simplified manufacturing. Head screws and scabbard fittings are often made of nickel-plated iron, while crossguards, eagles, and SA badges may be made of zinc.
The original manufacturer's marks are omitted and replaced by RZM numbers. Material combinations within a single dagger are typical. Overall, the quality is significantly reduced.
Design & Dimensions:
The SA service dagger has a straight, double-edged blade with a pronounced central rib. The blade length is approximately 33 cm, and the overall length without the scabbard is around 37–38 cm.
The grip is made of wood and features an enameled SA badge. The upper and lower grip caps, as well as the crossguards, are made of metal. The crossguards are straight, with slightly downward-curved ends.
The scabbard is made of steel and is either painted or burnished, depending on the version. The blade is secured in the scabbard by an integrated retaining spring.
Materials & Manufacturing Phases:
The materials used and the manufacturing quality are closely related to the respective production period. While early productions are characterized by high-quality materials and careful handcraftsmanship, later versions show significant cost savings and industrial simplifications.
Early daggers predominantly used nickel fittings, handcrafted wooden handles, and cleanly executed blade etching. In the middle phase, these materials were initially retained, but the first simplifications and material combinations appeared. The late phase is characterized by nickel-plated iron, zinc, and an overall reduction in the quality of workmanship.
Manufacturers & Markings:
The SA service daggers were manufactured by a large number of producers, predominantly from the Solingen area, but also from other German production centers.
Early daggers bore manufacturer's logos or names on the blade. With the introduction of the RZM system, these markings were increasingly replaced by RZM codes. The type, placement, and execution of the markings provide important clues about the manufacturer, production period, and grade.
A total of 21 different district markings are known, from Nn (Nordmark) to Oe (Austria). In addition, daggers with individual blade dedications exist, as well as occasional dagger carrying pouches for vertical storage.
Well-known and documented manufacturers of naval daggers include:
Aesculap, Tuttlingen
Backhaus F. W., Solingen
Bahrl Julius, Solingen
Balke Richard & Söhne, Solingen
Barthelemes Fritz (BAVARIA)
Becker Eduard (KOLUMBUSWERK)
Becker Gebrüder, Solingen
Bell Gebrüder, Solingen
Bender Carl, Solingen
Berns Gebrüder (OTTER WERK)
Berns Hugo (HUBEO)
Bertram C. Reinhard, Solingen
Bickel August (AB), Steinbach
Böcker Karl, Solingen
Bodenstein Julius, Steinbach Kr.
Böhme Gebrüder (Nachfolger)
Böker Heinrich (BAUMWERK)
Bonsmann E. (DREIANKERWERK)
Böntgen & Sabin (BONSAWERK)
Born Gebrüder (GB), Solingen
Braun Adolf, Berlin
Brenger Justus (JUSTINUSWERK)
Brosy, F. von, Solingen
Brückmann Ernst (MANN), Solingen
Büchel Rudolf (RBS), Solingen
Burgsmüller Karl, Berlin
Busch Ernst, Solingen
Christianswerk, Solingen
Cleff Ewald, Solingen
Clemen & Jung, Solingen
Coppel Alexander (ALCOSO), Solingen
Curdts E. H. Otto (Nachfolger)
Dick Friedrich, Esslingen
Dirlam & Söhne, Solingen
Dirlam Ernst (HOFFNUNGSWERK)
Dittert J. E. & Co., Neustadt
Dörschel Albert, Solingen
Drees Richard & Sohn, Solingen
Ebel Paul, Solingen
Eickelnberg & Mack, Solingen
Eickhorn Carl, Solingen
Eppenstein C. & Söhne, Solingen
Erbe H. A., Solingen
Evertz Arthur, Solingen
Felbeck & Picard, Solingen
Felix Gustav (GLORIAWERK), Solingen
Frenzel Franz (FRENIXWERK), Böhmen
Geigis Friedrich, Solingen-Foche
Gembruch Eduard, Solingen
Gerling Ernst, Solingen
Gierling Emil, Solingen
Giersch Robert, Solingen
Giesen & Forsthoff, Solingen
Gräfrath Gebr. (GRÄWISO), Solingen
Grah Carl, Solingen-Ohligs
Grah Ernst, Solingen-Wald
Grah Gustav Reinhold, Solingen
Groten Ludwig, Solingen
Haas Carl, Solingen-Wald
Haastert Richard & Büll, Solingen
Hack Josef, Österreich
HACO, Berlin
Haenel C. G., Suhl
Haering Eugen, Solingen
Hahn Hermann, Solingen-Wald
Häker Gustav, Solingen
Halbach Carl, Solingen
Halbach Gebr. (BULLDOG), Solingen
Halbach Wilhelm, Solingen
Hammesfahr & Cie., Solingen
Hammesfahr Gottlieb, Solingen
Hartkopf & Co., Solingen
Hartkopf Richard, Solingen
Heidelberg Carl (C.H.), Solingen
Helbig F. & A. (GAEFLER), Steinbach
Heller Gebrüder, Marienthal
Heller Gebrüder, Schmalkalden
Henckels J. A. (ZWILLING), Solingen
Henkel & Müller (MACERO), Solingen
Henkels Paul, Solingen
Herbeck & Meyer, Solingen
Herbertz & Meurer, Solingen
Herder & Engels, Solingen
Herder & Sohn, Solingen
Herder Co. (ADLERBLICK), Solingen
Herder F. Albrecht, Solingen
Herder H., Solingen
Herder R. Albrecht, Solingen
Herder Robert & Co., Solingen
Höller F. W., Solingen
Hoppe Curt, Solingen
Hoppe Gottfried & Söhne
Hoppe Wilhelm, Solingen
Hörster E. & F. Co., Solingen
Jacobs & Co., Solingen-Gräfrath
Jacobs C. Rudolf, Solingen
Jordan F. Wilhelm, Solingen
Kaiser Emil & Co., Solingen
Kaiser Max (WAFFENHAMMER)
Kaldenbach Karl Robert, Solingen
Kaufmann & Söhne, Solingen
Kayser C. F., Solingen
Kemper Ernst, Solingen
Kerschbaumer Georg, Steinbach
Kirschbaum F. A. & Co., Solingen
Klaas Robert, Solingen
Klittermann Haan & Moog, Solingen
Kloos Carl, Solingen-Landwehr
Knecht August, Solingen
Knecht E. & Co., Solingen
Kober Wilhelm & Co., Suhl
Koch & Rau, Stuttgart
Koeller & Co., Solingen
Kohl Paul (FISCHERWERK)
Kohlen Friedrich v. d., Solingen
Köller Gustav, Solingen
Köller Hugo, Solingen
Kolping Hans, Solingen
Konejung Hermann A.G., Solingen
Krebs Carl Julius, Solingen
Krebs Peter Daniel, Solingen
Krieger Wilhelm, Solingen
Krom Heinrich, München
Krumm Gebrüder, Solingen
Krupp Arthur, Solingen
Krusius Gebr. (GAZELLE), Solingen
Kührt C. Friedrich, Zella-Mehlis
Küllenberg August, Solingen
Küpper & Oertling (NEPTUN)
Lauterjung & Co. (TIGER), Solingen
Lauterjung & Sohn (PUMA), Solingen
Lauterjung H. & F., Solingen
Leupold J. (JOHANNISWERK LEUCO)
Linder Carl & Robert, Solingen
Linder Carl, Solingen-Merscheid
Linder Hermann & Söhne, Solingen
Linder Hugo C. W. (LINOR), Solingen
Linder Hugo (DELTAWERK), Solingen
Linder Otto, Solingen-Merscheid
Lüneschloss P. D., Solingen
Lungstrass Peter, Solingen
Lütters & Cie. Carl, Solingen
Lüttges & Co., Solingen
Lützenkirchen Gebrüder (SEEHUND)
Malsch & Ambronn, Steinbach
Malsch August & Sohn, Steinbach
Malsch David, Steinbach
Malsch Karl Gustav & Sohn
Malsch-Spitzer Karl, Steinbach
Mandewirth Ernst, Solingen
Mann & Federlein (MANNOS)
May & vom Hau, Solingen-Ohligs
Mebus Albert (AMSO), Solingen
Meis Carl August GmbH, Solingen
Meisenburg Kuno (UNDINE)
Melcher Artur (ARMESO), Solingen
Melzer & Feller, Zella-Mehlis
Merten August Ww., Solingen
Middeldorf Robert (ROMIWERK)
Müller & Schmidt (PFEILRINGWERK)
Müller August (BISMARCK)
Müller Gottfried, Herges Vogtei
Müller Robert & Sohn (ROMÜSO)
Münch Josef, Brotterode
Neeff C. Gustav, Solingen
Neidhardt & Schmidt, Brotterode
Neuhaus Ferdinand, Solingen
Ohliger F. Ed., Solingen
Ohliger Julius, Solingen
Oschmann Karl & Co., Brotterode
Pack Ernst & Söhne (E. P. & S.)
Peres Daniel, Solingen
Perlmann Louis (LOUPER), Solingen
Pils Franz & Söhne, Solingen
Pilz Julius (Nixdorf), Solingen
Plücker Friedrich Jr., Solingen
Plümacher Richard & S., Solingen
Rader Hugo, Solingen
Rasspe Ernst Hugo (EHR)
Reich Erhardt, Schweina
Remscheid C. & Co. (REMEVE), Solingen
Reuleaux Josef, Solingen-Wald
Ritter Kuno, Solingen
Römer Ernst, Solingen
Rother August, Solingen
Röttgen Ernst, Solingen
Sauer J. P. & Sohn (1751), Suhl
Schaaff C. D. (PERFECTUM), Solingen
Scheidt Eugen, Solingen-Ohligs
Schlieper Carl, Solingen
Schlimbach Josef, Solingen
Schmidt Carl & Sohn, Solingen
Schmidt J. (JULIUSWERK), Solingen
Schmidt J. A. & S., Solingen
Schmidt Rudolf, Solingen
Schmitz Friedrich Aug., Solingen
Schneider Gustav, Solingen
Schneider Hermann, Solingen
Schnittert Albrecht (WASSO)
Schrick Emil & Sohn, Solingen
Schüttelhöfer A. (ASSO), Solingen
Seilheimer Paul (PS), Solingen
Servatius Hugo, Solingen
Simon Otto, Steinbach
Solinger Axt- und Hauerfabrik
Spalteneder Johann Kasper
Spitzer C. Gustav, Solingen
Spitzer E. (PERFECTUM), Solingen
Steinhoff Franz (MOBIL), Solingen
Stöcker & Co. (SMF), Solingen
Stöver Otto, Solingen
Süddeutsche Messerfabrik, Gefrees
Tiegel Karl (TIEGELWERK), Riemberg
Tillmann Carl & Söhne, Solingen
Torley Gebrüder, Solingen
Vitting Eduard, Solingen
Völker Adolf, Schmalkalden
Voos Emil, Solingen
Voss Gustav (FUCHSKOPF), Solingen
Wagner & Lange, Solingen
Wagner Wilhelm, Solingen
Weber Fritz, Wien
Weinrank Franz, Wien
Weltersbach Wilhelm, Solingen
Werth A., Solingen
Wester & Butz, Solingen
Weyersberg Gebrüder, Solingen
Weyersberg Gottfried & Söhne
Weyersberg Gustav, Solingen
Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie. (WKC)
Weyersberg Max Waffenfabrik (WMW)
Weyersberg Paul & Co., Solingen
Weyersberg Reinhard, Solingen
Wielpütz Thomas, Solingen
Wingen Anton Junior, Solingen
Wingen Arthur (CHROMOLIT)
Wirth Gustav, Solingen-Gräfrath
Witte Ernst Erich, Solingen
Wolf Josef, München-Au
Wolfertz Is., Solingen
Wurzer Rudolf, St. Christophen
Wüsthof Carl, Solingen
Wüsthof Ed. (DREIZACKWERK)
Zander Carl (KWICK), Solingen
Zeitler Ludwig, Österreich
Collector's notes:
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The state of preservation plays a crucial role in the evaluation of an SA service dagger.
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Age- and use-related characteristics such as slight patina, signs of wear or age-related cracks in the wooden handle are considered typical of the period and are common in original preserved pieces.
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Severe damage, improper repairs, or subsequent alterations significantly reduce the collector's value.
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Special attention should be paid to the originality of all components.
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Material combinations must be appropriate for the respective manufacturing phase, as materials and design details change during production.
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Inconsistencies in the grip, crossguards, fittings or blade etching may indicate later assembly or modifications.
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Daggers with blade dedications, rare maker's marks or verifiable special features are among the most sought-after individual pieces.
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Due to the large number of known variants and existing forgeries, expert evaluation is recommended, especially for high-quality or rare specimens.
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