UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SA & NSKK Dagger Forum SA blade shapes, (including SS and NSKK)

Fellow collectors,

I have a question I wanted to put to the more experienced collectors on this forum.

As I have started to own more Political daggers, (ie SA, SS and NSKK), I have started to notice some variations in the shapes of the blades, depending on either the period it was made, or the manufacturer.

I had originally thought that all SA blades were made to a set shape, but I am seeing now differences if width of blade, particularly towards the tip end of the blade.

I will try to take some photographs to demonstrate this point and post them here later. I really would appreciate some guidance on whether such differences are normal and if anyone has noticed trends.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this.

Four Blades:

1. Hammesfahr Cie.
2. EP&S
3. J.A. Henckels
4. RZM M7/66

There are some small differences in width between them all, and the 1942 RZM-M7/66 in particular. But the most obvious difference is the early Henckels which is noticeably wider than the others. in about the centre of the blade, the Pack example measures 30mm width, while the Henckels is 32mm at the same point.

Very interesting and educational, Arminius.

John

Hi Everyone,

Very interesting, Can't shed much light but It made me measure mine and the results are show.
Pretty much the same across all 5.

Regards

Mark

The blades were forged by one of a dozen or more forges. Most forges had more than one drop forging machine. Big forges had many. Each used dies into which a piece of steel (a billet) was inserted, then it was put where the heavy hammer dropped on it from a height. Hence the name "drop forging".

The resulting blank was trimmed to size then ground to polish it. The specifications called for a blade 220mm long and 33mm wide at the base. I have found length to vary plus or minus 2mm but width much closer. Variances are mostly due to the person doing the grinding.

Thanks Dave, its always important for us to remember that human beings hand finished these blades.

It doesn't belong on this thread but some time ago I bought a 2nd Pattern Luftwaffe dagger by Tiger, directly from the veteran. The blade looks as though it was made late in the war, or by a novice. The centre ridges are not straight or equally proportioned.

Very well said by Dave, they were human beings of the time using the technology that was available to them. Something that was confirmed by an advanced collector years ago who had some metallurgical testing done to see if it might be maker specific? The results were all over the place, which when compared to the U.S. Standards of the time no really meaningful correlation found. Best Regards, Fred