UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SA & NSKK Dagger Forum Aug. Merten early NSKK, w/ Black vertical hanger.

Here is a very Early NSKK with whats left of an Anodized scabbard and a vertical hanger. This one was a Max Show pick up, and hails from the collection of Mike McAlvanah. I am thankful he was able to part with this early maker, as it is my first to own an early NSKK em. This dagger is obviously not mint,, but it is still in desirable condition including a pre- RZM Black vertical hanger.
According to the history of this dagger until present day, it has not reposed in any collection except belonging in Mikes collection. It is very possible that this could of belonged to an NSKK motorcycle unit and the wearer must of ordered this hanger to replace his 3pc hanger so it would not swing around. Then again anything is possible and this could have been used in marching parades. Everything on it is early period. Who ever wore this dagger,, wore it for a long time as it shows age and wearing throughout, and is consistent as a whole.

The grip is worn down with no signs of contour lines and surprisingly there are what “looks” to be traces of laquer on the crossguards. I scraped my finger nail on this coating as it is removable. I cant say for sure what it is,, but its there and it comes off, but not easily.

Looking at the grip eagle,, it seems as though the wing span is slightly longer and straighter than currently seen. The grip eagle is slightly worn but retains most of its detail.

Group mark is Wm and is also worn down. The cross grain to this maker is barely there but could not get the right angle to show it. Maker mark is August Merten and is, fairly common,, according to the McSaar list.

Hanger photos with no RZM markings and all early hardware including the long nosed clip. The leather has been preserved at some point in time.

The Anodizing has gone to time or to the elements and no laquer remains,, but shows the History fully of the early period before the Night of the Long Knives.

Tang is marked capital “A” in a circle with a number 23,, also rarely seen.
Lastly the crossguards the upper guard is marked with an H,,, horizontally and the lower guard marked with an H ,, vertically,, by the way these guards are heavier than normal.

Nice one with a very beautiful vertical hanger.

Recently I purchased a similar eagle to match my NSKK dagger too.

Regards,

Ricardo

Very nice indeed, a worthy dagger to add to anyone's collection

Very nice Larry and it was great meeting you and your son at the MAX. Best, Erich

Very nice score Larry

Congrats
Stingray

Thanks guys,, I like to collect these early types, in the condition between excellent++ to near mint, because to me IMO that it would of been close to the same condition as it was back during that time,, with the exception of this one since it is very early. The slightly worn and used look is appealing to me. A "sock drawer" Full Mint dagger is nice to have too. Looking at the grip and scabbard says alot when see it for the first time. The group mark itself on any SA or NSKK tells alot more of a story geographically in the area the SA Mann served in, so I take that into consideration also. Wf Group mark is a pretty cool one also to have being in the same area as Himmlers castle. I will have a couple more to post soon from the Max Show. Thanks again Larry

These photos are purely for comparison reasons only to show that early NSKK em dagger as some of them did have the unmarked vertical “coffin hanger”, (Pre RZM). I make no claim to these photos nor the dagger itself and comes from “Brian Maederer`s” website, listed below
http://www.militarycollectiblesinc.com/catalog/
It is rare to see this type of combination as I stumbled upon this example by accident. The maker is Carl Schmidt and is fairly a middle to common maker. The snap clip is the second type variety used compared to Aug. Merten , which the first type “long nosed” clip is used. Nice to see unmarked early Vertical hangers of this type.