When the Tom's wrote their edged weapon references, SS chain daggers were labeled into but 2 different categories. They were either Type I's, or Type II's. But over the course of time the collecting community came to realize that these 2 chain variations, didn't fit all of the configurations of M36's know in collections.

In 2010, author / collector Ralf Siegert wrote a reference which for the first time defined 4 distinct categories into which SS Chain daggers fell. And also broke those groups down into characteristics which defined them, and a general time line in which they were manufactured.

They are as follows:

TYPE A- Nickel constructed chain, with a septum in the nose of skull link.

TYPE B1- Nickel constructed chain, void of the nose septum

TYPE B2 Steel constructed chain, void of the nose septum

TYPE C Steel plated constructed chain, unique link characteristics and considerably different from the other 3 listed above.

All of these chains and their unique characteristics are broken down and easy to understand and observe close up, in Ralf reference. I think we also have them listed in the blog section of our website.

Here are some examples in the Meda Militaria collection:

www.medamilitaria.com