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Revision as of 22:27, 2 April 2012
Degen is the German term for a straight saber or 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 1936 until 1945.
The Degen was first introduced in 1936 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.[1] Later degens were manufactured by Paul Müller[disambiguation needed] at Dachau and by Puma of Solingen[2]
Description
Officer pattern
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 SS double lightning-bolt runes.[3]
The scabbard was painted in a black enamel and had a decorative silvered top (locket) and bottom (chape) mounts.
Awarding
The Degen was officially awarded 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 Brunswick.[4]
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 pommel cap.[5]
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.[6]
SS NCOs
SS NCOs, especially senior NCOs could use the degen as a full dress weapon.
References
- ^ Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.
- ^ http://www.germaniainternational.com/ss15.html
- ^ Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.
- ^ Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.
- ^ Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.
- ^ Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.
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
External links
- www.oldswords.com - The largest online resource for antique sword/sabre collectors
- www.zlatoff.com - The gallery of Zlatoust sword/sabre manufacturers