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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 at Dachau and by Puma of Solingen.^[2]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945.
^ http://www.germaniainternational.com/ss15.html

External links

www.oldswords.com - online resource for antique sword/sabre collectors

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

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

[1]

[2]

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 '''''[[: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 ''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.<ref name=williamson>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945''.</ref> Later degens were manufactured by [[Paul Müller]]<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_M%C3%BCller_%28Schwertschmied%29</ref> 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 within the SS. The degen was originally manufactured by the [[Peter Dan. Krebs]] firm of Solingen, Germany.<ref name=williamson>Williamson, Gordon, ''Waffen SS Handbook 1933-1945''.</ref> Later degens were manufactured by [[:de:Paul Müller (Schwertschmied)|Paul Müller]] at [[Dachau]] and by Puma of [[Solingen]].<ref>http://www.germaniainternational.com/ss15.html</ref>
 ==Description==