| 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. |
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[]
December 1935 parade for Adolf Hitler at the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Barracks, Sepp Dietrich is to the right of Hitler
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.
See also[]
- Rapier
- Smallsword
- Uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel
References[]
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
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to SS Degen. |
- www.oldswords.com—online resource for antique sword/sabre collectors
The original article can be found at Degen (SS) and the edit history here.