Degen (SS): Difference between revisions

SS-Ehrendegen
SS-Ehrendegen
	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
Type	Sword
Place of origin	Peter Dan. Krebs firm of Solingen, Germany
Service history
Used by	Schutzstaffel
Wars	World War II
Production history
Produced	c. 1936 - 1945
Specifications
Blade type	Single-edged, straight bladed.

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Revision as of 21:02, 6 May 2014

The SS-Ehrendegen also SS-Degen (officially Ehrendegen Reichsführer-SS^[1]) was a straight saber or sword, especially of the dress sword worn with a SS-Uniform. In the context of Nazi Germany, it was used by the Schutzstaffel (SS) from 1935 until 1945.

First introduced in 1935, it 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.^[2] Later degens were manufactured by Paul Müller 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.^[2]

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.^[2]

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.^[2]

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.^[2]

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

^ Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Berlin, 1943, p.106
^ ^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

[1] Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Berlin, 1943, p.106

[williamson-2] Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933–1945.

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

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[2]

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 * [http://www.oldswords.com/ www.oldswords.com]—online resource for antique sword/sabre collectors
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 {{DEFAULTSORT:Degen (Sword)}}
 [[Category:Weapons of the interwar period]]