BACKGROUND: The development of the NSKK, National Sozialistisches Kraftfahr Korps, (National Socialist Motor Corps), can be traced back to 1923 when the SA introduced a Kraftfahr Abteilung, (Motor Section), to transport personnel as required. In 1928 the SA Motor section was expanded to Kraftfahrstaffeln, (Motor Squadrons). In an attempt to create a national motor corps the NSAK, National Sozialistisches Automobil Korps, (National Socialist Automobile Corps), was formed in April 1930 as an NSDAP auxiliary organization subordinate to the SA. In early 1931 Adolf Hühnlein was appointed as Chief of the NSAK and proposed a name change to NSKK, which was officially accepted in April 1931. Still subordinate to the SA in 1933 when the SA dagger was introduced the NSKK also adopted the dagger shortly after its introduction. Shortly after the purge of the SA in the "Night of the Long Knives" in June 1934, the NSKK was promoted to an official NSDAP organization, given independent status within the party and absorbed the SA Motor Squadrons personnel. In May 1936 Korpsführer Adolf Hühnlein decreed the NSKK dagger scabbards were to be finished in black to differentiate them from the SA dagger. The dagger was intended as an ornamental item and the design was based on the traditional 16TH century Swiss "Holbein" dagger. Originally the daggers featured a brown anodized scabbard and utilized nice quality solid nickel/silver fittings while later models had cheaper nickel/silver plated fittings and painted scabbards. Of Note: In late 1934 items manufactured for the NSKK including daggers came under the quality control of the RZM, Reichzeugmeisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster) and as a result were marked with the RZM logo when appropriate. Of Note: The RZM was official founded in June 1934 in Munich by the NSDAP as a Reich Hauptamt, (State Central Office), and was based on the earlier SA Quartermaster’s Department. The functions of the RZM were not only to procure and distribute items to Party formations, but also to approve chosen designs and to act as a quality control supervisor to ensure items manufactured for the Party met required specification and were standardized. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 8 5/8" long, double edged, nickel/silver plated, drop forged steel construction blade with a low central ridge. The blade shows very minor surface spotting and scabbard runner marks and most of the original cross-graining is still visible. The obverse of the blade has the acid etched Sütterlin script motto, "Alles für Deutschland", (All for Germany), which is crisp and well defined. The reverse of the blade has the acid etched manufacturers logo which consists of two vertically oval border lines encircling script, "Carl Eickhorn Solingen", which in turn encompasses the likeness of a seated squirrel. This example of the Eickhorn logo is believed to have been introduced in 1931 and utilized until roughly late 1934. The early, cast, solid, nickel/silver cross guard, pommel, and tang nut all show minor surface scratching with very little age patina. The reverse of the crossguard is stamped with the SA-Gruppe abbreviation, "Fr", indicating issue by SA-Gruppe Franken. Of Note: Shortly after the purge of the SA the NSKK absorbed the SA Motor Squadrons and this example with SA Gruppe markings may have belong to one of the early SA Motor Squadron personnel. Also Of Note: Due to the group markings this example was an issue item as opposed to a private purchase item. The dagger has a nicely formed walnut grip which is in overall very good condition. The grip has a nice snug fit to both the top and bottom fittings. The grip has a nickel/silver national eagle and an enameled and nickel/silver plated runic SA button, which are both nicely set into the grip. The SA runic button show light age tarnish. The dagger comes complete with its original magnetic sheet metal scabbard. The scabbard retains about 95% of its black paint with minimal surface scratches and chipping. All four dome headed fitting retaining screws are intact. The top fitting has its hanger suspension loop and ring. Very nice, clean example.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $670.00