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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 within the SS. The degen was originally manufactured by the Peter Dan. Krebs firm of Solingen, Germany.^[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. It was worn with an aluminium braid sword knot which was embellished with the SS runes in black on the stem.^[4]

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.^[5]

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.^[6]

Uses

SS Officers

The Führer Degen was used by officers as a dress uniform weapon and for ceremonial purposes such as the swearing in of new SS recruits.

SS NCOs

SS NCOs, especially senior NCOs, used 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.

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 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>
-The [[scabbard]] was painted in a black enamel and had a decorative silvered top ([[locket]]) and bottom ([[chape]]) mounts.
+The [[scabbard]] was painted in a black enamel and had a decorative silvered top ([[locket]]) and bottom ([[chape]]) mounts. It was worn with an aluminium braid [[sword knot]] which was embellished with the SS runes in black on the stem.<ref>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945''.</ref>
 ==Awarding==