*German, WWII, Third Reich NSKK Honour Dagger & Scabbard – Rare Maker Wilh. Krieger, Solingen-Merscheid, VGC*
A highly desirable and scarce example of a German WWII-period NSKK Honour Dagger, retaining its original black scabbard and bearing the scarce maker mark of Wilh. Krieger, Solingen-Merscheid.
The dagger features a bright nickel-plated blade etched with the motto “Alles für Deutschland” (“All for Germany”), the standard inscription found on early SA and NSKK service daggers. The reverse ricasso carries the uncommon Wilh. Krieger scythe-blade trademark and maker name, a rarely encountered Solingen manufacturer known for very limited production.
The blade remains clean and well defined with a strong point, showing only light age spotting and minor isolated areas of pitting consistent with honest storage age. The nickel crossguards and fittings remain bright with good fit and alignment to the grip. The wooden grip displays expected period wear and age marks and retains its inset enamel SA roundel and eagle emblem.
The lower reverse crossguard is stamped “Wf”, indicating the Westfalen district group, a desirable and correct detail for period production.
The scabbard is finished in black paint, correct for NSKK service, and fitted with nickel mounts and hanging ring. The black finish shows age and handling wear but remains attractive overall.
Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 21.6 cm. Overall length: 34.4 cm.
Historical Note:
The SA Honour Dagger was introduced in 1933 as the standard edged weapon for SA members and later adopted by the NSKK (Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps), the National Socialist Motor Corps. The design was based on a traditional German dagger displayed in the Munich City Museum and was intended as a symbol of loyalty and ideological commitment.
Early daggers were manufactured to high standards, featuring nickel fittings, hardwood grips and quality etched blades. After the introduction of the Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) licensing system in 1935, most producers received official RZM contractor codes; however, Wilh. Krieger was one of a number of early makers who did not receive an RZM designation, making their daggers notably scarcer today. On 19 May 1936, NSKK-Korpsführer Adolf Hühnlein ordered that NSKK daggers be distinguished from SA examples by the use of black scabbards. Aside from this scabbard finish, SA and NSKK daggers remained mechanically and visually identical.
The NSKK itself evolved from the SA and became an independent NSDAP organisation in July 1934. Its primary role centred on transport, vehicle training, and logistical support, teaching motoring skills and assisting in the movement of personnel and materials.
Wilh. Krieger, Solingen-Merscheid:
The firm of Wilhelm Krieger, Stahlwarenfabrik, is believed to have been founded around 1910 (some sources suggest slightly earlier). Originally producing cutlery and household knives, the company briefly entered the production of early Third Reich edged weapons, including SA/NSKK daggers. Collector research estimates production numbers at roughly 1,000 pieces, placing this maker among the rarest encountered. The company operated at Turnerstrasse 26, Solingen-Merscheid by 1939. Following the war it re-registered in Solingen on 10 February 1950 before finally ceasing trading on 23 April 1970. Because the firm never received an RZM contractor code, surviving daggers are strongly associated with early production and are highly sought after by collectors. The maker is widely regarded as a top-tier rarity, often rated 10/10 in collector rarity guides.
*Condition*
The dagger presents very well overall. The blade remains bright with crisp motto and maker mark, showing minor age spotting and light pitting only. Fittings are tight with good alignment and consistent finish wear. The wooden grip shows normal handling marks but remains structurally sound with insignia intact. The black NSKK scabbard retains good shape with honest service and storage wear. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
A genuine and increasingly hard-to-find NSKK dagger by one of the scarcest Solingen makers, combining an attractive etched blade, desirable district marking, and correct black NSKK scabbard. Early non-RZM production pieces by Wilh. Krieger seldom appear on the market and represent a strong collector example.
RQMGOOXAEOO_3693229323
