UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SS Dagger Forum Newcomer's SS dagger terminology questions

Hello, I am new to SS dagger collecting and have some basic dagger terminology questions, not yet having secured reference books.
1. What is the visual difference if any between an M33 enlisted mans dagger and an officer's dagger?
2. What is the difference if any between an M33 SS Service Dagger and an M33 dress dagger?
3. Is an Eickhorn serrated tail squirrel logo the same as a rat tail squirrel logo? Is the Eickhorn smooth tail squirrel small logo more common than the serrated squirrel small logo? Were these different squirrel logo styles produced on SS daggers at the same time?
4. Under what circumstances and during what time period were vertical SS dagger hangers used versus the short hangers? Were they used for different occasions?
5. Which SS dagger types are formally classified as honor daggers?
6. Were early M33 SS dagger grips composed of actual ebony wood? Was there some point at which the manufacturers switched to other hardwoods dyed black?
7. Were oxidizing blued or anodized scabbards that were losing their laquer finish and appearance ever returned to the factory to be painted over? Were new factory enamel painted scabbards reissued in their place or did the factory just send out another replacement anodized scabbard?
8. Did Eickhorn manufacture and assemble all dagger components in house or were dagger components other than the blade provided by subcontractors?
9.. Did SS dagger production continue through to the end of the war?
10. Was the Eickhorn Solingen facilty adversely impacted by bombing raids?
11. Were middle period dagger blade RZM marks applied with acid etching at the time of the motto inscription or were they stamped on the blade?
12. Were the SS dagger blades nickel plated steel? How was the mirror finish achieved? Did they use stainless steel?
13. Is nickel-silver the same as German Silver and what is its actual elemental composition? Is there even any silver in it?/
Thanks in advance for your patience and helping out a novice and new forum member. Jonw

Hello and welcome !

One at a time:

1. What is the visual difference if any between an M33 enlisted mans dagger and an officer's dagger?
The officer's dagger is an M1936. It has a chain hanger and a center fitting on the scabbard.

2. What is the difference if any between an M33 SS Service Dagger and an M33 dress dagger?
None. Same thing

3. Is an Eickhorn serrated tail squirrel logo the same as a rat tail squirrel logo? Is the Eickhorn smooth tail squirrel small logo more common than the serrated squirrel small logo? Were these different squirrel logo styles produced on SS daggers at the same time?
No. The rat tail is unique.
Smooth vs Serrated small logo ? No study exists. My perception is serrated is slightly more common. They were produced simultaneously. The rat tail was later and the large ovals earlier.

4. Under what circumstances and during what time period were vertical SS dagger hangers used versus the short hangers? Were they used for different occasions?
The daggers were issued with the short hanger. There were some regulations but I don't know them. It was probably driven by the local big chief.

5. Which SS dagger types are formally classified as honor daggers?
Some people call the daggers with the Rohm or Himmler dedications Honor Daggers. Others apply the term to only the Damascus bladed daggers.

6. Were early M33 SS dagger grips composed of actual ebony wood? Was there some point at which the manufacturers switched to other hardwoods dyed black?
Many were but I have seen other woods as time passed more seemed to have dyed hardwood.

7. Were oxidizing blued or anodized scabbards that were losing their laquer finish and appearance ever returned to the factory to be painted over? Were new factory enamel painted scabbards reissued in their place or did the factory just send out another replacement anodized scabbard?
They were painted over but who did it is not known. New scabbards were NOT sent out as replacement. The fit and fittings are different. Maybe if the scabbard was completely trashed ?


8. Did Eickhorn manufacture and assemble all dagger components in house or were dagger components other than the blade provided by subcontractors?
EVERY assembler/maker used some purchased items. Bigger makers tended to make more in house.

9.. Did SS dagger production continue through to the end of the war?
No. You see a few dated in the early 40's but by that time they had other priorities.

10. Was the Eickhorn Solingen facilty adversely impacted by bombing raids?
No idea. Call the 8th Air Force museum in Savannah.

11. Were middle period dagger blade RZM marks applied with acid etching at the time of the motto inscription or were they stamped on the blade?
Throughout production the motto and trademark were acid etched at the same time.

12. Were the SS dagger blades nickel plated steel? How was the mirror finish achieved? Did they use stainless steel?
Some early ones were factory polished. I am not sure of what steel was used but I have never seen it referred to as stainless.

13. Is nickel-silver the same as German Silver and what is its actual elemental composition? Is there even any silver in it?
Yes. Also called Alpaca and new silver, but no silver in it. Nominal formula is 60% copper, 20% zinc, and 20% nickel ... but it varied a bit by maker.

Hope that helps
Dave
Admin

You want a tutorial on the subject.
Buy Wittman's book and you'll have your answers.

Tex is right: Buy the book

http://www.wwiidaggers.com/SSBOOK.htm

Dave

Agreed; Ralf Siegert's book is also great.

There was some relatively minor damage in the summer of 1943, and if my memory is correct it was from the RAF. However in November of 1944 Solingen was a major bombing target and suffered heavy damage that severely impacted Eickhorn. Best Regards, Fred

Thanks Dave, Tex Wunderkind, and Fred for the very helpful responses. As suggested I am ordering Thomas Wittman's and Ralf Seigert's books. I appreciate your patience. Jon W.