Degen (SS): Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 19:21, 6 May 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 Führer Degen was a type of straight saber used by the Schutzstaffel (SS) from 1935 until 1945.

The Führer 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.^[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 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 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.

External links

www.oldswords.com - The largest online resource for antique sword/sabre collectors
www.zlatoff.com - The gallery of Zlatoust sword/sabre manufacturers

[1] Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.

[2] ttp://www.germaniainternational.com/ss15.html

[3] Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.

[4] Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.

[5] Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.

[6] Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[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.]]
-'''''[[: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 ''Fuhrer Degen'' was a type of straight saber used by the ''[[Schutzstaffel]]'' (SS) from 1935 until 1945.
+'''''[[: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 ''Führer Degen'' was a type of straight saber used by the ''[[Schutzstaffel]]'' (SS) from 1935 until 1945.
-The Fuhrer 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>
+The ''Führer 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==