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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.oldswords.com/ www.oldswords.com] - The largest online resource for antique sword/sabre collectors |
* [http://www.oldswords.com/ www.oldswords.com] - The largest online resource for antique sword/sabre collectors |
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* [http://www.zlatoff.com/ www.zlatoff.com] - The gallery of Zlatoust sword/sabre manufacturers |
* [http://www.zlatoff.com/ www.zlatoff.com] - The gallery of Zlatoust sword/sabre manufacturers |
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Revision as of 09:42, 17 February 2013
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[2] at Dachau and by Puma of Solingen.[3]
Description
Officer pattern
It had a long thin straight blade produced at different lengths 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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
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.[7]
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://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_M%C3%BCller_%28Schwertschmied%29
- ^ 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