UBB.threads Forums Thread Like Summary - Tang Marks on SS/SA/NSKK - What are they ?

Anyone who has taken apart an SS or SA/NSKK dagger has probably noticed marks on the tang of the dagger. Letters, numbers, symbols. Most daggers have them and a few do not. They were made as the blade was forged by steel being forced into the marks already cut into the billets or molds.

What they mean has never been fully explained. Are they property marks of who owns the billet or who owns the forge ? Are they marks to record how long the billet lasted ?

Your thoughts and photos appreciated of SS or SA/NSKK tangs

Hi Dave...these tang markings denoted either the producer .... OR..... the sub contractor who provided blade blanks to producers.

In your First photo CAH / Carl August Hartkopf foundry

listed producers with CAH tang marking

Gebr Berns
Cark Eickhorn ( SA SS NPEA )
Hammesfahr & Cie
Gottlieb Hammesfahr
Robert Klaas
Gustav Spitzer
Carl Zander

Although there is no documentation on the identity of A series numerals ..it has been documented that what other producers had been observed having these A series numbers within a circle.

It has been observed that A22 was produced for Jacobs
also to note that Eickhorn used A23 and a few other non A series markings.

This is another way to at least seeking a possible identity of a producer who either produced their own blades or at least pointed in the direction of those producers who are observed to have used these markings.

Regards Larry