BACKGROUND: The SS M33 service dagger was introduced on December 15TH 1933 for wear by all full SS members, regardless of rank. The dagger was intended as an ornamental item and the design was based on the traditional 16TH century Swiss "Holbein" hunting dagger as was being utilized for the SA personnel’s dagger with a different coloration and insignia. The daggers were bestowed annually to newly accepted SS members at 10:00pm on the anniversary of the unsuccessful Beer Hall Putsch, (November 9TH), in front of the Feldherrnhalle in Munich. Originally the daggers featured an anodized scabbard and utilized nice quality solid nickel/silver fittings until roughly early 1937 when the scabbards began to have a painted finish and cheaper nickel/silver plated fittings replaced the earlier solid nickel/silver fittings in 1938. Of Note: During the course of the Third Reich there were five distinct SS daggers introduced starting with the M33 dagger in 1933, the Röhm inscription, the Himmler dedication and the SS Honor dagger in 1934 and the M36 dagger in August 1936. Of Note: The RZM, Reichzeugmeisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster), was official founded in June 1934 in Munich by the NSDAP as a Reich Hauptamt, (State Central Office), and was based on the earlier SA Quartermaster’s Department. The functions of the RZM were not only to procure and distribute items to Party formations, but also to approve chosen designs and to act as a quality control supervisor to ensure items manufactured for the Party met required specification and were standardized. Starting in late 1934 items manufactured for the SS came under the quality control of the RZM and as a result were marked with the RZM logo when appropriate. Of Note: In 1943 the Waffen-SS assumed full control over production of their items, including edged weapons and production no longer fell under the authority of the RZM.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nickel/silver plated blade shows the typical light scabbard runners and minimal light surface spotting and scratches. Cross graining is still evident. Well defined acid etched motto, "Meine Ehre Heißt Treue", (My Honor is Loyalty) to obverse. Maker marked to "Gottlieb Hammesfahr Solengen, Foche". Nickel/silver alloy crossguard, pommel and tang nut. Ebony grip with nice snug fit to top and bottom fittings. Nickel/silver plated national eagle and nickel/silver and enameled SS button nicely fit to grip (slightly rotated). Early black anodized magnetic sheet metal scabbard shows the expected age and wear. Fittings retain all four of their dome headed retaining screws. Top fitting also retains its suspension ring and loop. Comes with a nice vertical dagger hanger.