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{{Short description|Nazi SS dress sword}}
[[File:Degen img 0482-b.jpg|thumb|Three views of a ''Degen'': top, the SS sign on the pommel; middle, the oak leaves and the runic design of the handle and upper scabbard; bottom, the art deco tip of the scabbard.]]
{{Infobox weapon
'''''[[:wikt:Degen|Degen]]''''' is the German term for a straight [[saber]] or [[smallsword|sword]], especially of the [[dress sword]] worn with a military uniform. In the context of [[Nazi Germany]], the ''Degen'' was a type of straight saber used by the ''[[Schutzstaffel]]'' (SS) from 1935 until 1945.
|name= SS-Ehrendegen| image= Degen img 0482.jpg
| image_size =
|caption=
|origin=
|type= [[Dress sword]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_bladed= yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=
|used_by= ''[[Schutzstaffel]]''
|wars=
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|production_date= 1935–1945
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|weight=
|length=
|part_length=
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
|crew=
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->
|blade_type= Single-edged, straight bladed.
|hilt_type=
|sheath_type=
|head_type=
|haft_type=
}}
The '''{{lang|de|SS-Ehrendegen}}''' or '''SS Honour Sword''', also '''{{lang|de|SS-Degen}}''' (officially {{lang|de|Ehrendegen des Reichsführers SS}}<ref>Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Berlin, 1943, p. 106</ref>), is a straight [[Small sword|dress sword]] that was worn with an [[Uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel|SS uniform]] from 1935 to 1945. First introduced in 1935, the SS sword was designed by [[Karl Diebitsch]], [[Heinrich Himmler]]'s personal advisor on art and design within the SS. It was originally manufactured by the Peter Dan. Krebs firm of [[Solingen]], Germany.<ref name=williamson>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933–1945''.</ref>


⚫
The sword has a long thin straight blade produced at different lengths to accommodate the height of the wearer. The {{lang|de|Degen}}'s [[hilt]] features a D-shaped knuckle-bow (fingerguard) and a black ribbed wooden grip. The grip is bound with silver wire and features an inset disc featuring the [[Esoteric insignia of the Schutzstaffel|SS lightning-bolt runes]].<ref name=williamson /> The [[scabbard]] is painted in black enamel and has decorative silvered top ([[locket]]) and bottom ([[chape]]) mounts. It was worn with an aluminium braid [[Lanyard|sword knot]] embellished with the SS runes in black on the stem.<ref name=williamson />
The Degen was first introduced in 1935 and was designed by Professor [[Karl Diebitsch]], an SS-[[Oberführer]], who was also [[Heinrich Himmler]]’s personal referent on all art and design in the SS. The degen was originally manufactured by [[Eichorn]].<ref>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945''.</ref> Later degens were manufactured by [[Paul Müller]]{{Disambiguation needed|date=June 2011}} at [[Dachau]] and by Puma of [[Solingen]]<ref>http://www.germaniainternational.com/ss15.html</ref>


==Description==
==Honour award==
⚫
The officer's sword was officially awarded with a hand-signed certificate from Himmler to selected officers of the ''[[SS-Verfügungstruppe]]'' and ''[[SS-Totenkopfverbände]]'' in recognition of special merit. It was also awarded to officers who graduated from the [[SS-Junker Schools]], the SS officer training centres.<ref name=williamson /> The [[non-commissioned officer]] (NCO) version is similar to the officer version, but the scabbard has a plain, unadorned chape. The NCO version's handle also lacks the silver wire wrapping and the SS runes are moved from the handle to the [[hilt#Pommel|pommel]] cap.<ref name=williamson />
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-17311, Berlin-Lichterfelde, Hitler bei Leibstandarte.jpg|thumb|right|December 1935 parade for [[Adolf Hitler]] at the [[1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler|Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler]] Barracks, [[Sepp Dietrich]] is to the right of Hitler]]


===Officer pattern===
==Damascus blade==
The Damascus-bladed Honour Swords are extremely rare. They were awarded to a select few by Himmler personally, usually to high-ranking SS leaders, or important businessmen or statesmen who held an honorary SS rank of at least SS-''[[Oberführer]]''. Since they were often given to recipients on their birthday (usually their 50th), they are also known as "Birthday Honour Swords".
⚫
It had a long thin straight blade with different blade lengths produced to accommodate for the height of the wearer. The Degen featured a "D" shaped knuckle-bow ([[crossguard]]) as the handle which also featured a black ribbed wooden grip. The grip was bound with silver wire and featured an inset disk featuring the [[Runic insignia of the Schutzstaffel|SS double lightning-bolt runes]].<ref>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945''.</ref>


⚫
==References==
The [[scabbard]] was painted in a black enamel and had a decorative silvered top ([[locket]]) and bottom ([[chape]]) mounts.

==Awarding==
⚫
The officer degen was officially awarded with a hand signed certificate from Heinrich Himmler to selected officers of the SS-[[Verfügungstruppe]] and SS-[[Totenkopfverbände]] in recognition of special merit. It was also awarded to officers who graduated from the [[SS-Junkerschulen]] at [[Bad Tolz]] and [[Braunschweig|Brunswick]].<ref>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945''.</ref>

===NCO pattern===
The NCO version was similar to the officer version but the scabbard had a plain unadorned chape. The NCO version's handle also lacked the silver wire wrapping and the SS runes were moved from the handle to the [[hilt#Pommel|pommel]] cap.<ref>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945''.</ref>

==Uses==
===SS Officers===
The Degen was used by [[Waffen SS]] officers as a [[dress uniform]] weapon and for ceremonial purposes such as the swearing in of new SS recruits. It was worn with an aluminium braid [[sword knot]] which was embellished with the SS runes in black on the stern.<ref>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945''.</ref>

===SS NCOs===
SS NCOs, especially senior NCOs could use the degen as a full dress weapon.

⚫
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
⚫
{{Commons category|SS-Ehrendegen}}


{{SS organizations}}
==Further reading==
* Thomas Wittman ''Exploring the Dress Daggers and Swords of the German SS''
* Thomas Johnson
** ''Collecting the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich'' (Volumes I to VIII)
** ''Wearing the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich'', Volume I to III

==See also==
* [[Rapier]]
* [[Smallsword]]
* [[Uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel]]

==External links==
⚫
{{Commons category|Degen (sword)}}
* [http://www.oldswords.com/ www.oldswords.com] - The largest online resource for antique sword/sabre collectors
* [http://www.zlatoff.com/ www.zlatoff.com] - The gallery of Zlatoust sword/sabre manufacturers


{{DEFAULTSORT:Degen (Sword)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Degen (Sword)}}
[[Category:Modern European swords]]
[[Category:Modern European swords]]
[[Category:20th-century weapons]]
[[Category:20th-century weapons]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the interwar period]]
[[Category:Nazi SS]]
[[Category:Nazi SS]]
[[Category:Nazi symbolism]]

{{Sword-stub}}
{{Germany-WWII-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:28, 28 November 2024

SS-Ehrendegen
TypeDress sword
Service history
Used bySchutzstaffel
Production history
Produced1935–1945
Specifications
Blade typeSingle-edged, straight bladed.

The SS-Ehrendegen or SS Honour Sword, also SS-Degen (officially Ehrendegen des Reichsführers SS[1]), is a straight dress sword that was worn with an SS uniform from 1935 to 1945. First introduced in 1935, the SS sword was designed by Karl Diebitsch, Heinrich Himmler's personal advisor on art and design within the SS. It was originally manufactured by the Peter Dan. Krebs firm of Solingen, Germany.[2]

The sword has a long thin straight blade produced at different lengths to accommodate the height of the wearer. The Degen's hilt features a D-shaped knuckle-bow (fingerguard) and a black ribbed wooden grip. The grip is bound with silver wire and features an inset disc featuring the SS lightning-bolt runes.[2] The scabbard is painted in black enamel and has decorative silvered top (locket) and bottom (chape) mounts. It was worn with an aluminium braid sword knot embellished with the SS runes in black on the stem.[2]

Honour award

[edit]

The officer's sword was officially awarded with a hand-signed certificate from Himmler to selected officers of the SS-Verfügungstruppe and SS-Totenkopfverbände in recognition of special merit. It was also awarded to officers who graduated from the SS-Junker Schools, the SS officer training centres.[2] The non-commissioned officer (NCO) version is similar to the officer version, but the scabbard has a plain, unadorned chape. The NCO version's handle also lacks the silver wire wrapping and the SS runes are moved from the handle to the pommel cap.[2]

Damascus blade

[edit]

The Damascus-bladed Honour Swords are extremely rare. They were awarded to a select few by Himmler personally, usually to high-ranking SS leaders, or important businessmen or statesmen who held an honorary SS rank of at least SS-Oberführer. Since they were often given to recipients on their birthday (usually their 50th), they are also known as "Birthday Honour Swords".

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Berlin, 1943, p. 106
  2. ^ a b c d e Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933–1945.
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