UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SA & NSKK Dagger Forum Crossguards with no "gau" Marks

A small number - 10% or less - of SA daggers have a lower crossguard with no "gau" marks.

Why ?

Tell us your thoughts.

Dave

Good question, Dave!

There are versions about gifts, awards, etc.

IMO: if we want to understand the nature of unmarked lower crossguerds we should have the answer on the question where and when the Gau marks were stamped.

Andrew

In my opinion the stamping was done locally. Why?

1. There are numerous soft strikes and some double strikes.
2. The position varies up and down and left to right. The "Ho" strikes are always offset.
3. Some are rotated as much as 90 degrees.

The above are indicators that it was NOT done at the factory. Solingen and the other manufacturing cities were capable of significantly higher quality.

Also, if it was factory done, ALL the daggers would have the marks.

Agreed Dave, Gau stamped were done locally.

I also think that all dagger's stamping were done locally. I can add to the Dave's list another point.
We can see different die patterns on the lower ones. "Sa" Gau mark is a good example.

Here are some versions:

#1: Some orders go directly to the factoties, not through SA Supreme Command/Gaus distribution authority.
Cons of this theory: it was prohibited by the Supreme SA Leader order # 137/34 and some other documents.

#2: The unmarked daggers went to the regional groups outside Germany (A, Do, We, Kp, etc.)

#3: The recipients were from some NSKK or SA units (NSKK-Kraftboots, SA-Marine)
Cons: repainted early NSSK daggers do have Gau marks.

#4: The very early SA daggers don't have Gau marks. So, maybe, at the very late of the "early type" production period it was an order to discontinue the practice.
Cons: No period documents available

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Your thoughts?

Good theories anlvd2,,I like to add to the list possibly, that some of these recipients had no designated assignment districts but were more or less Bodyguards of the high leaders, or also attached to them as valet.
another thought some of these daggers slipped through the cracks and were never stamped with a group mark.
Hard to say but a rarity.

I read a theory some times ago these daggers was private purchased directly from makers without SA-Group inspection.

the initial orders for SA Daggers occurred via the SA Gau office and private purchase pieces were not allowed originally IMO. After the first six months, when most members had their daggers through the official channel (I feel this was done to ensure the dagger manufacturers obtained their funds in order to keep the cost per member at a minimum and satisfy the Solingen Guild members per DAF involvement) a few private purchase daggers were allowed, including Rohm like inscribe pieces for local commanders (there are several different know variations). These were the origin of the non Gau marked crossguards. Also, after the initial order and supply, I dont' believe any further marking of the crossguards by the Gau was used.