BACKGROUND: Edged weapon portepees were originally introduced in the Prussian army in 1808, and continued to be worn with the Dress uniform, as a tradition and identifying item through-out WWI, the Weimar Republic and on into the Third Reich, with minor modifications. Originally designed as a functional item to secure the blade sidearm to the holders wrist the portepee evolved into a purely decorative accessory. Originally, (circa 1933-34), SS-VT, SS-Verfugüngstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), personnel holding Officer’s ranks utilized one of the various patterned army officers swords but with a nickel/silver plated finish as opposed to the gilt finish used on the army versions. When worn these army pattern swords were equipped with the army Officers style portepee with a black leather strap and slide and a silver/aluminum crown and ball. In 1936 a series of four distinctive swords and sword portepees/troddels were introduced exclusively for wear by SS, Police and Fire Police Officer’s, Officer Candidates, Senior NCO’s and enlisted personnel. This example portepee was authorized for wear by Senior NCO’s and Officers with the ranks of SS-Oberscharführer up to and including the rank of Reichsführer-SS inclusively.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: This second and final pattern SS Officer's/Senior NCO’s sword portepee consists of the main components of, strap, slide, stem, crown, and ball all worked in bright silver/aluminum wire threads with black thread detailing. The dual laid, interwoven silver/aluminum, waffle patterned, tress strap is roughly, 25" long, and 3/4" wide and features two, narrow, interwoven, vertical, black stripes to each outside edge. The strap is inserted through the horizontally interwoven silver/aluminum wire slide and into the top of the vertically interwoven silver/aluminum wire stem. The silver/aluminum stem features interwoven black SS runes encompassed by a black circular border to each side. The crown consists of horizontally laid, twisted silver/aluminum cord while the crown consists of vertically laid, twisted silver/aluminum cord and both are mounted on an internal, carved wooden base. The bottom of the ball has an oval recess with an inset piece of the silver/aluminum fabric strap. The portepee is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning and a couple of small frayed spots to the strap.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $1,170.00