UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SA & NSKK Dagger Forum Typeface/font used on SA, SS daggers.

After a fair bit of searching, ive found the typeface used on SA & SS daggers.
Its 99% the same with the exception of a few subtle changes.
A variant of a Fraktur typeface designed in 1913-14 and released in 1917.

Several years ago, I studied this issue. Here's what I found out. On standard SA and SS daggers, the Maximalian-Gotisch (or simply Maximilian) font was used. Rudolf Koch (1876–1934), in 1913–1914, developed this typeface and named it in honor of Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519). The typeface was published in 1917 by the type foundry Gebr. Klingspor.
Since there were no computers at that time, artists made slight deviations when drawing fonts. Therefore, the fonts on the blades and the computer photos are slightly different.

The designer also made another variation of his font in memory of his brother - Wilhelm Klingspor Gotisch. Work on it was carried out from 1920 to 1926, in memory of his brother Karl Klingspor, who died in 1925, the typeface was published as Wilhelm Klingspor Gothic

Both fonts are very similar and can be the basis for fonts on daggers. We are unlikely to know which one without additional research.

What's much more difficult is finding the font base for the Christmas Daggers.

How popular and successful this design is can be judged by the fact that in 2006, design studio Aerotype released its version of this font called Gothicus.

Yes correct, as you know from your contacts I have a very large archive from a Solingen etcher.
Pictured is just a (FEW) of the many font books used by the etchers (imperial to postwar) I have. Some printed and designed in Solingen. This archive is a real eye-opener..
source documents.... Any time you are in the U.S. stop by..

Great info Den, many thanks for your research on this.

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your offer as I know your collection of documents is amazing. I think some of the answers can be found there. But unfortunately, I can only get into this Aladdin’s cave after the war...