From what I've seen over the years much of the bad reputation seems to be a result of (IMO) fakery with some notable examples in my experience being badly cast silver hilts, various ersatz appliqu�s, likewise other engravings/stampings, aluminum hilts polished down to bare metal, zinc hilts likewise that were then "plated" with a silver in a bottle craft store preparation etc. etc. Which is not to say that that the lion head sabers were not in use prior to the introduction in 1935 of the SS-Degen. Only that collectors IMO need to be careful. With one of the somewhat related discoveries for me looking at the early SS bayonets being the (albeit limited) use of the 98/05 pattern bayonets that were clearly seen in period photos. With my point being that period photos, catalogs, etc. preferably on a case by case basis can be very helpful in sorting out the legitimate period items from the postwar efforts to deceive. Best Regards, Fred