N12754 NSKK M33 DAGGER & HANGER. (NSKK Dolch mit Gehänge) 

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 of 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 of 1931. Still subordinate to the SA in 1933 when the SA dagger was introduced, the NSKK also adopted the dagger shortly after its introduction. The dagger was intended as an ornamental item and its design was based on the traditional 16th century Swiss "Holbein" dagger. In May of 1936 Korpsführer Hühnlein decreed the NSKK dagger scabbards were to be finished in black to differentiate them from the SA dagger. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A dagger with a 8 3/4" long, double-edged, drop-forged, nickel-silver plated blade, in its original scabbard, to which a hanger is attached. The dagger has a cast, nickel-silver plated alloy pommel and tang nut. Its contoured wooden grip, which is either in Walnut or has been dyed to resemble that, has, inlaid to its obverse, the enamelled "SA" signet near the pommel, and an aluminum eagle and swastika to its center. Most of the silver detailing to the signet has worn away, and extremely light verdigris may be seen around the both inlays in the wood. Its cross guard is also of nickel-silver plated alloy. Both the pommel and cross guard are still bright, with minor surface spotting and scratches. "Alles für Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) is acid etched, in Gothic script, to the obverse of the pointed blade. To the reverse of the blade is an RZM, "Reichszeugmeisterei" (National-materiel-control-office), logo and "M7/80," indicating that the manufacturer was David Malsch of Solingen. RZM logos and code marks were included on blades made after October of 1934. The original cross-graining is still faintly visible to both sides. Scabbard runner marks and light surface spotting may also be seen to both sides of the blade. The 9 3/4" tall scabbard has a nickel-silver plated metal throat, mouthpiece, and lower scabbard fitting. The body of the scabbard is comprised of black painted sheet metal, whose finish exhibits only light surface scratching. Dome-headed securing screws are to either side of its throat and along the upper edges of its scalloped lower fitting. A ball tip is to the end of this lower fitting. To one side of the mouthpiece is the loop for the hanger ring, and the nickel-silver plated metal ring itself. All of the nickel-silver plating to the scabbard is still bright, with only light surface scratches. Attached to the hanger ring is a 1/2" wide, blackened leather hanger, one end of which is wrapped and riveted around a nickel-silver plated metal, single-pronged buckle, and whose other end features two buckling holes and a floating leather retainer. A nickel-silver plated metal spring clip passes through the formed loop of the hanger. To the reverse of the spring clip is stamped a stylized "A," indicating F.W. Assmann as the maker, followed by "DRGM," for "Deutsche Reichs Gebrauchsmuster" (German National Registered-design), underneath of which is stamped an RZM logo, followed by "M5/8" (the code for F.W. Assmann). The hanger’s nickel-silver components are lightly surface scratched, and its leather exhibits noticeable chafe wear and cracking, but is still supple.