Description
Model 1936 Chained SS daggers were not maker marked. This presentation set consists of the presentation case, the chained SS dagger, 4 medals (2 medals are connected on one bar) and research information. This particular dagger has unusual steel crossguards. One company is known to have made these steel crossguards and that is the firm F&A Helbig – Solingen. Helbig also produced the 1936 Model SS Dagger, so it is reasonable to assume Helbig Company made this one. The blade has its’ “Meine Uhre heist Treue” etched in the obverse side which has lost the majority of its dark frosting. There are some very tiny nicks to the cutting edge. The black grip has a chip on the reserve side near the lower crossguard but there are no hairline cracks. The silver nickel eagle and SS roundel are properly inset. The SS chained scabbard is dent free but has scratches throughout and retains approximately 50-60% of its original paint. The scabbard fittings show normal wear/age but no damage to the lower fitting ball. All four scabbard fitting screws are in place. The SS chain has 2 links in the upper section with one stamped with the SS symbol and 4 links on the lower section with none stamped on the reverse. The chain clip works properly and has the black belt loop attached showing normal age/wear. The dagger is complete with silver portepee. The medals are: 1914-1918 Honor Cross with Swords, 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class, War Merit, and SA Sports Badge.
This dagger belonged to SS Hauptsturmfurher (Captain) Max Landherr. Initial research shows that Captain Landherr was a Waffen SS Officer deployed to the Russian front in 1943 with an artillery Regt. He was captured by the Russians later that year and spent 11 years as a P.O.W. then returned to Germany in 1954. Most SS Officers serving in combat in foreign countries normally did not take their honor daggers with them as field weapons as they were considered ceremonial pieces. This dagger was purchased at an estate sale of a WW2 veteran. The granddaughter of the vet stated that her grandfather brought it back from Germany sometime after WWII and that it was his prized possession.
