*WW2 German SA Army Honour Dagger & Scabbard. Marked RZM M7/1 (Gebrüder Christian, Christianwerk). c1936*
In 1936, the Reichszeugmeisterie der NSDAP (RZM) organization began standardizing the production of SA daggers. They replaced commercial manufacturer markings with the RZM logo and codes to indicate the manufacturer. This SA dagger has the RZM logo and the code M7/1, indicating it was made by Gebrüder Christian, Christianwerk. The 22cm double edged blade is engraved with the phrase “Alles für Deutschland” (Everything for Germany) in gothic script. The dagger’s grip is made of wood with nickel fittings, including a nickel Nazi eagle and an enameled SA insignia. The scabbard is brown leather with nickel fittings and a belt ring.
The SA dagger served as the service dagger for the Sturmabteilung (SA), also known as the Brown Shirts. The SA was a paramilitary group formed under Adolf Hitler and Ernst Röhm’s authority in 1921. They were tasked with providing security at Nazi rallies and suppressing opposition paramilitary groups. The SA soldiers were notorious for using violence to intimidate civilians. The SA dagger was commissioned by Hitler in 1933 and designed by Professor Woenne, who based it on a dagger displayed in the Munich City Museum.
Gebrüder Christians, Christianswerk Stahlwarenfabrik, was established in 1824 by Karl Wilhelm Christians and Johann Abraham. The company received its RZM M7/1 license in 1935 and primarily manufactured daggers, including SA daggers, for the NSDAP. Christianswerk had a successful business and sold its products globally. Ownership of the company transferred to Eugen Christians in 1930 and remained with the family until 1939. Christianswerk is still in operation today and has been run by three successive generations of brothers until 1975.
*Condition*
The dagger is in great overall condition. There are some scuff marks to the handle and some minor tarnishing to the pommel and crossguard. The double edged blade is sharp and free of nicks. The scabbard fits firmly and shows some minor signs of wear and tear to the leather plus a green mark to the nickel. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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