The swords, or degens in the German, carried by the German Police and the SS were based on a rigid design approved by SS channels in 1936. The degen was composed of a nickeled hilt design with "D" guard shape and black ebony grip. The insignia of the organization was positioned in the center grip - an eagle within a wreath clutching a swastika for Police Degen and a set of SS runes within a round disk on the grip of the SS Officer degen. On the SS NCO degen, the SS runes are contained within the top pommel cap.

The scabbards for the degens are the same. They are black with nickel mounts having a weave design. The NCO versions have a built-in drag. The blades are a plain matte-finished variety.

SSPOL #48120 Early SS Lion Head Silver Sword with Portepee

This lion head sword is WKC Model #1016. It has a very fine silvered finish which is 100 percent throughout the hilt. The sword does not look to have ever been cleaned and has a fine patina. The lion is fitted with faceted red glass eyes and there is a blank oval on the backstrap, presumably for a monogram.

The carved wood grip is covered in excellent black celluloid. It is wrapped with a skein of three brass wires, the center strand being a heavier gauge. This wire is somewhat loose but is still in place.

Wrapped about the hilt is what appears to be the original SS portepee. This portepee remains in fine condition throughout, showing only mild and minor traces of age.

The scabbard is a good, straight example and has excellent original black paint. This paint is in acceptable condition and remains mostly bright.

The 34 inch long blade has a high quality nickel plated finish and remains in mint condition. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the knight head trademark of the WKC firm and the original blade buffer is still in place.

A nice, untouched early piece here.

Excellent. $5,495.00

SSPOL #47884C Silver SS “Panther” Head With Cast Langet Runes By F. W. Holler

This “panther” head sword is really a fantastic piece. It is a standard Hollertype “panther” head model except for the fact that the reverse langet features raised out SS runes. The silvering throughout the “panther” head is in perfect condition with no show-through parts and having a very fine patina throughout.

The “panther” head is finely enhanced to the cat’s whiskers and flowing mane, the existence of which makes this a lion’s head as panthers do not have manes. Some collectors, however, stubbornly insist on calling these “panther” heads for some unfathomable reason, presumably never having been to a zoo. In any case this mane spills down onto the backstrap. The cat is equipped with faceted red eyes.

The backstrap features oak leaves and acorns having nice hand enhancing throughout and they also extend into the grip tabs. The P guard also has very fine oak leaves and acorns with hand enhancing very evident. The obverse crossguard features an open winged eagle having fine detail throughout. The eagle clutches a wreath with swastika. On either side of the eagle's talons are the raised diamond shapes which are typical of a Holler sword. The quillon extends downward in a curl with floraling around it. The reverse langet as mentioned above has a set of raised SS runes which are positioned over which looks to be small cannon. At the top of the runes is an enclosed circle with an acorn on each side of it and oak leaves and acorns around the edges of the runes.

Swords with SS runes being part of the casting are very rarely seen. These swords would have been ordered and worn by SS personnel prior to the introduction of the official 1936 degen.

The carved wood grip is in excellent condition covered with perfect black celluloid. The celluloid is triple wrapped with a silver wire having a twisted center.

Decorating this hilt is a very fine SS portepee. The portepee is in perfect condition but appears to have been on the sword for a long term. The portepee features the textured bullion strapping having the twin sets of black line that run down the edges throughout. At the bottom is a fine woven slide and then the stem is the rounded sort having the black circle with SS runes on both sides. The lower ball is in excellent condition being bullion and the insert matches the strapping.

The scabbard of this example is completely straight and has excellent original paint. The paint on the reverse is nearly in full mint condition and the obverse shows only a slight amount of wear.

As we would hope the 32 inch blade displays fine nickel plated surfaces and still remains in mint condition throughout. It is stamped with the ovals which contain the firm’s name and location F. W. Holler Solingen and inside is the familiar thermometer trademark which I am sure I don’t need to describe to you at this point. The original leather washer remains in place.

If you are looking for a very rarely seen absolute 100 percent original SS “panther” head sword this is an example that would be a highlight to an SS collection. None finer!

Near Mint. $11,995.00

SSPOL #47883C Silvered SS “Blucher” Lion Head Sword by Carl Eickhorn

This lion head sword is identical to the standard BLucher produced by Eickhorn with the exception that it has an original silvered finish. The silvering throughout the hilt is in outstanding condition. The Blucher pattern features the fine lion head with lots of hand enhancing to the cats whiskers brows and mane which extends somewhat down the backstrap. The cat is equipped with faceted red eyes.

The backstrap features raised floral leaves which go over and under a raised out center blank oval having a acorn type device beneath it. The center grip tabs also have floral designs. The P guard has lots of oak leaves and acorns having fine hand enhancing. The crossguard extends into the Art Deco style eagle with open wings having lots of close checkering on the eagle's breast. The eagle clutches a wreath with swastika which is surrounded by raised leaves. The quillon extends downward in a teardrop having a dot pattern and a curl at the end.

I also notice that above the wreath between the eagle’s talons there seems to be an imprint made into the metal which may or may not be purposeful but I don’t know.

The carved wood grip has excellent black celluloid covering being in perfect condition. The grip is tightly wrapped with triple aluminum wire having twisted center.

Decorating the hilt is a SS portepee showing some wear and minor fray but it is not bad at all. It is in the standard tie reflecting the textured bullion having the dual black stripes that run down the entire edges of the strapping. There is a woven slide and then the rounded type stem with black circle and SS runes on both sides. The lower ball is in good condition with its bullion and the stuffing is the same as the strapping. A very fine hilt here.

The scabbard is straight throughout and is in outstanding condition. The paint of this scabbard is nearly full mint and still remains nice and bright.

The 33 and a half inch blade reflects highest quality nickel plating and remains in mint condition. It is stamped with the 1935 through 41 Eickhorn trademark. The leather buffer remains in place.

This sword is identical to the example I show in my SS book on page 318 upper. A great very collectible original piece here.

Near Mint. $6,495.00

SSPOL #47754 Police NCO Degen by Paul Weyersberg

This degen has outstanding nickel plating to the hilt. The pommel cap is the flat type having just a little bit of minor age in the surfaces. The D guard and crossguard are in perfect condition and the crossguard ends in a teardrop. The ebony grip is the type without wire and the ebony wood remains in perfect condition throughout. There is an aluminum police eagle recessed into the grip. The insignia features the open winged eagle clutching a swastika superimposed over a wreath of oak leaves. Attached to the hilt is a very fine portepee being the cloth strapping type. This portepee is the wider variety that has three sets of aluminum stitching running its length. The center stitch is highlighted with red thread. This knot remains in complete perfect condition. The lower ball has the cat’s anus style stuffing being red white and black. A very fine hilt here. The scabbard is straight throughout. The paint is still quite good on the scabbard particularly in the upper areas. The paint still has its bright original finish. There is some wear to the lower scabbard area but all on all it is not bad at all. The lower chape is the built in type as we see on NCO pieces. The upper scabbard fitting features the Wotan’s knot which is still quite crisp and does not have blackening in the center areas. The mount is retained by two headless screws one in each of the lower curls. The blade is an extremely fine example having the usual matte finish and still in mint condition. It is marked on the reverse ricasso with the double ovals which contain the firm’s name and location Paul Weyersberg and Co. Solingen. There is a downward pointing sword placed between two wheat shafts. The original brown leather washer is in place. A very fine example here. I don’t think I mentioned that the blade is 31 inches long.

Excellent Plus Plus. $1,195.00

SSPOL #47625C Police NCO Degen by Hermann Rath

This NCO police degn is in superlative condition with full nickel plating throughout and remaining nice and bright. The pommel cap is the flatter style on the top typical of NCO types. The D guard is in perfect condition swooping through the crossguard area and ending in a teardrop quillon. The lower ferrule is in very fine condition featuring the 6 standing oak leaves separated by acorns. There is fine pebbling in the areas separating the acorns as well as hand enhancing to the veins. The ebony grip is the type without wire and it remains in perfect condition. It has a flush set NCO aluminum police eage. The eagle features an open winged bird clutching a swastika superimposed over a wreath of oak leaves. A very fine hilt here. The scabbard is also a beauty. It is straight throughout having outstanding original paint. The obverse side is nearly full mint while the reverse only has some extremely mild carrying signs. The upper scabbard mount features the Wotan’s knot with good pebbling in the centers. There is little black in the pebbling. The obverse portion of the mount is retained by a screw while the reverse has no screw but appears that it never did. All there is there is a small set drill spot which was never penetrated. The lower chape of course has no mount having a built in chape. The blade is a very fine mint conditioned 33 inch long example. It has the usual matte finish. It is marked on the reverse “Herm. Rath Solingen”. The black leather washer is in place. An extremely nice NCO degen here.

Excellent Plus Plus. $1,395.00

SSPOL #47626C Police NCO Degen by Puma

This degen has excellent nickel hilt plating which is still in a fine bright condition throughout. The pommel is the flatter type used for NCOs. The D guard stretches around through the crossguard and ends in a teardrop quillon. The lower ferrule is an excellent example featuring the 6 standing oak leaves. Each of the oak leaves has been hand enhanced in the center with two veins and also has all of the leaves pebbled. The area where there were casting flaws has handmade acorns to cover this work. A very interesting to study ferrule here. The scabbard is straight throughout having original black paint. The paint shows some age crazing on both sides but the paint is still all there. The upper scabbard mount features the Wotan knot with pebbling in between and also some of the darkening still in place. This mount is retained by two round head side screws. At the lower there is no mount as the chape is built in to the scabbard. The blade is a fine example still being in mint condition and measuring 31 and a half inches. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the diamond featuring the cat head inside and beneath “Puma”. Beneath the diamond is “Solingen”. The original black blade buffer is in place. A fine NCO example here.

Excellent. $1,195.00

SSPOL #47630 Police NCO Degen by Carl Eickhorn

This degen has an excellent nickel plated hilt showing only minor age. The pommel is the flat NCO, and the D guard ends in a teardrop quillon. The oak leaves and acorns on the ferrule remain crisply detailed.

The ebony grip is in nice condition, with only a few minor surface chips. The inset aluminum NCO insignia remains clear, with only faint traces of wear.

The scabbard is straight and retains the original paint. This paint shows quite a bit of crazing on both sides, but remains generally intact. The “Wotan’s Knot” upper fitting has much of the original darkening and is retained by a pair of dome head screws in the lower loops. The chape is an integral type.

The throat and the scabbard are marked with the SS-Kulturzeichen proofing.

The blade measures thirty-one and a half inches and remains in mint condition. The reverse is stamped with the 1935 through 1941 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark. The original Eickhorn style white leather washer is in place.

A decent degen here, in need of a little clean up.

Excellent. $1,095.00

SSPOL #45943C Early SS NCO Sword with Motto on Blade by Carl Eickhorn

This sword is in an extremely fine condition and very desirable. The hilt is the plain style army variety that was worn by some early SS NCO members prior to the introduction of the NCO degen. The sword hilt is all plain nickel plated steel. It is in excellent condition showing little age to the plating.

The obverse langet is extremely well done having a pebbled shieldlike pattern featuring raised runes in the center. The pattern is extremely well done with very close pebbling to produce the right effect of the bright runes. On the reverse the sword is stamped “SD 145”. I don’t know whether this has any significance to the Seicherheitsdeinst or not or whether it is just some type of number assigned to the sword for accountability purposes. Either way this numbering system should be researched.

The grip is a carved wood example covered with celluloid. There are a couple of splits in the grip celluloid at the upper portion under the pommel but they have been there a long time and are not going anywhere. They hardly show to the eye. The grip is tightly wrapped with twisted aluminum wire having a twisted center. A very good looking hilt here!

The scabbard is in fine shape showing a little bit of mild usage toward the lower area after the center but the paint is still in very nice condition throughout. I would say that this paint rates at about 98 percent.

The long blade is 32 inches and it is the wider type that we associate with the cavalry. The nickel plated surfaces are still in very fine condition and the blade easily rates in a near mint state with its needlelike tip.

IMpressively etched into the obverse center of the blade is the SS motto “Meine Ehre heißt Treue”. The motto is perfectly executed and still retains 100 percent of its dark background in the recesses. The sword is stamped on the reverse ricasso with the 1935 through 1941 trademark. The original leather buffer is in place.

A very rarely seen example here and a great item for those of you out there that are SS edged weapons collectors.

Excellent Plus Plus. $4,495.00

SSPOL #45944C Early Silvered SS Leopard Head Sword by F. W. Höller

This Holler sword is their model number 22 and a picture of this model can be seen on page 93 of the ancient Angolia sword book.

The hilt still has 98 percent of its silvered finish. There is some slight wear on the higher surfaces of the cat and the eagle langet. The cat is a panther head showing extra detailing to the cat’s whiskers where there is pebbling by hand and also hand enhancing to the brow and mane which runs partially down the backstrap. The mane also has some hand pebbling done. The remainder of the backstrap has raised oak leaves and acorns and it appeared as though the caps of acorns also have been hand enhanced. The grip tabs also have oak leaves and they are retained with screws as is a norm for Holler on this model sword.

The P guard has excellent raised out oak leaves and acorns and at the bottom of the guard there is additional hand enhancing with pebbling. The ferrule features oak leaves and acorns running its circumference. The reverse langet has a plain raised shield.

The crossguard quillon ends in a curlicue. The obverse langet features an open winged eagle with fine detail to its wings breast feathering talons and wreath. On either side of the talons are raised diamond shapes typical of this producer.

The grip is a hard carved wood base covered with black celluloid. The celluloid remains in perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with triple bras wire the center being twisted.

The scabbard is straight throughout. The paint is outstanding but I have a feeling that it is an old repaint. There are a couple of chips here and there in the paint but overall the paint is still at 98%.

The fine blade is a 31 and half inch length. It has outstanding nickel plated surfaces that are still newlike throughout. This mint blade is marked with Höller double ovals which feature the firm’s name within the ovals "F. W. Höller Solingen" and inside is the familiar thermometer logo. The original brown leather blade washer is in place.

This type of sword would have been ordered early in the period by an SS officer since there were no official degens until 1936 and even after that many SS officers did not qualify for a degen. A fine original example here.

Excellent Plus. $3,495.00

SSPOL #45642C Early Silvered SS Lion Head Sword by PD Lüneschloss

This lion head sword is most attractive having excellent silver plated surfaces. The lion head is the conventional style cat with long jaw. The whiskers have been hand enhanced as has the brow and the mane which flows downward. The mane also has a lot of nice pebbling to help bring it out. This early sword is the type that has the tang covered with a plug at the top which has been hand engraved to match the flow of the mane. The cat is equipped with two small faceted red eyes. The backstrap continues down in a interesting floral pattern featuring leaves and in the center a flower design.

The P guard is also interesting in that it features three different patterns. Coming out the the lion's mouth is a pattern of laurel leaves which is raised out and then there is in the center a floral design which encloses a raised heart shaped shield. Within the shield is delicately engraved the year “1933”. The P guard continues downward to a floral design which becomes raised dots as it goes into the crossguard. The obverse of the crossguard has a stubby winged style eagle which is unique to the Lüneschloss firm. The eagle is extremely well executed with lots of hand work clutching a large wreath with engraved swastika. Very nice work here! The quillon ends with a roaring lion lead.

The reverse langet is also most interesting in that it has laurel leaves around a raised oval panel. Within the oval panel is a set of engraved SS runes. The runes are very well done with shade lines in between the S letter formation. The ferrule is a standard type with overlapping oak leaves.

The grip is a carved wood base covered with black celluloid remaining in perfect condition. The celluloid is tightly wrapped with triple brass wire the center being twisted. An extremely fine early hilt here.

The scabbard is straight throughout but studying its painted finish it appears to be an old repaint. The paint still remains at about 99 percent and looks fine.

The blade is expertly nickel plated and remains in full complete mint condition being mirror bright. This blade is marked on the reverse with the fire helmet having a sword running through the center. This was the early marking used by the PD Lüneschloss firm.

The original brown leather blade buffer is in place.

An extremely nice original early SS sword here being one of the first issued well prior to the 1936 year when the official degen was introduced.

Excellent Plus. $5,495.00

SSPOL #41250C Early SS Officer's Degen

This SS Officer's Degen is of initial production with hilt being of solid nickel. The Degen does not appear to have been cleaned, having a smooth, even patina throughout.

The hilt is the style with the screw-out step nut below the pommel. The Degen has never been apart. The pommel nut is also solid nickel, showing no signs of removal and still having excellent umbrella-like serrations around the upper edges. The upper center pommel area is totally smooth with all surfaces intact and unmarred. The "D" guard is perfect throughout with an appealing curved design. It flows perfectly though the crossguard area, ending with a teardrop quillon having the partial decorative drilling on each side. The lower ferrule features the six standing oak leaves separated by acorns.

Interestingly, the areas between each of the oak leaves, and above the acorns has been hand-punched with dots and darkened. The same treatment has been applied to the acorn caps; I have not seen this treatment on an SS Degen before. It is fun to study the hand work on these ferrules, as each individual example is slightly different, making each Degen unique from this aspect.

The ebony grip is completely perfect with no chips or flaws; some beautiful wood here, especially when it is seen in this condition. The nickel SS runes button is set on a slight turn, being positioned at about 7:00 o'clock, reminiscent of many of the buttons we see on the early SS daggers. The original factory darkening over the button's pebbled backgrounds is almost still completely intact, with one wear spot at the bottom point between the two runes. The under portion of the lower hilt is stamped with the SS-Kulturzeichen proofing.

The scabbard shell is outstanding, being straight and having great original luster to the original black paint. This paint is at least about 98%, being very impressive and also a true testament to this Degen's condition. The lower drag is nickel-plated and features the straight decorative line enhancing. There is just a tad of rust on the very chape area, where according to the consignor, the carpet was wet sometime while the vet was storing this Degen. The upper scabbard mount is in fine condition with its Wotan knot motif. All of the original factory darkening remains between the knot ties - also a great sign of little usage. The throat is also SS marked with the Kulturzeichen stamping.

The 32 inch blade is as good as they come, being completely in mint condition. It is the unmarked variety as we often see on initial production pieces, and has the usual short ricasso with single blade fuller. A perfect blade here. The original white leather washer is in excellent condition, showing only minor age, but little wear.

A great opportunity here to acquire a direct veteran original example that has never been cleaned, never been in a collection and remains in top condition.

Mint Minus. $6,495.00

SSPOL #43276C SS Panther Head Sword with "Das Reich" Etch - F. W. Höller

This Panther Head Sword is the aluminum version, having a gilded finish. It is the F. W. Höller Model #22.

The gilding throughout the hilt shows wear on the high areas and is probably about 80% intact. The panther head is fitted with faceted red glass eyes and retains fine detailing throughout the muzzle, brow, and mane. The backstrap is decorated with raised oak leaves raised oak leaves and acorns, with the tabs extending into the grip.

The "P" guard has fairly good gilding and features additional oak leaves and acorns. The same is true of the ferrule.

The obverse langet features a Höller style open winged eagle, looking to the viewer's left. The bird retains good detailing throughout. The quillon ends in a teardrop swirl. The reverse langet is quite curious, made with a raised shield that is part of the casting. The shield has a set of raised SS runes, which were gilded against a factory darkened background. It shows some wear but is all there and is quite a sight to see. This is the first time I've seen this treatment on an early SS sword.

The carved wooden grip is covered in black celluloid. This celluloid remains in decent condition, although it is slightly worn through. It tightly wrapped with a skein of three brass wires with a twisted center strand.

Wrapped about the hilt in the standard tie is the original SS portepee. This portepee is completely set in place and does not appear to have ever been removed from the sword. It shows no fraying, only normal age toning that we would expect to see. The stem has a set of bullion SS runes on both sides, and the bullion ball stuffing matches the strapping.

The scabbard is straight throughout and retains the original paint. It shows some age and has a few signs of wear; overall this paint is about 85% intact.

The blade is nickel plated and measures 32 inches long. It has a fine, factory etch that is extremely rare and is indeed the first of the type I've ever seen. It is etch with the SS regiment "Das Reich", which is flanked by oak leaf springs. On the left of the etch is a shield bearing a set of intertwined runes, while the right has a set of SS runes and a circle. The original backgrounds are starting to fade but overall it is not too bad. The blade shows some age in the surfaces but I have made no attempt to clean it up. The reverse ricasso is marked with the early Höller Thermometer trademark, with 16 digits on either side of the mercury as opposed to the 11 digits used later in the period. The original black washer is in place.

An extremely rare, original SS sword here.

Excellent. $7,500.00

SSPOL #40939C Police Officer's Degen - Paul Weyersberg

This Police Officer's Degen shows traces of age on the "D" guard but the plating remains sound. The pommel cap has some lifting on the edge of the upper portion but the serrations remain crisp. The ferrule has the usual six standing oak leaves, with evidence of hand enhancement throughout the design.

The ebony grip is in perfect condition, with good, tight nickel grip wire. The Police eagle grip insignia is a copper type and retains full detailing throughout.

Wrapped about the hilt is what appears to be the original Police portepee. It is the style with leather strapping and aluminum stitching that runs the length, with a red center stitch. The knot is in the original tie. The leather is slightly compromised in the knotted portion but if it is left alone it should remain intact.

The scabbard is straight throughout and retains the original paint. The paint shows quite a bit of wear and is about 85% intact. One of the strange things about this degen is that while it is an Officer's example the scabbard has an NCO's chape. I'm not sure why this would be so, but the blade fits perfectly and is the proper length. The upper mount is in the Wotan's Knot pattern, with most the the original blacking intact. It is retained by a pair of dome head screws, one in each of the lower loops. The throat is marked with an SS-Kulturzeichen stamping.

The blade is 31 ½ inches long with a standard matte finish. It remains in nearly mint condition and is marked with the Weyersberg Wreathed Sword trademark. The original white blade buffer is intact.

A good Police example here. You might want to replace the scabbard but I think it is fine just the way it is.

Excellent. $850.00(#071818)

SSPOL #40294C SS NCO's Degen - Peter Dan Krebs

This SS NCO's Degen is in untouched condition. The nickel plated parts are in excellent condition and show little age.

The pommel cap is the flatter NCO type. On the top is a fine set of raised SS runes which retain complete background darkening. There is no sign that this cap has ever been removed.

The "D" flows nicely through the crossguard area and ends in a teardrop quillon. The lower ferrule is decorated with six standing oak leaves separated by acorns. Both the leaves and the acorns have feine details and are nicely hand-enhanced.

The ebony grip is a very fine, high quality example, remaining in perfect condition. Some of the original lacquer remains in the recesses.

Wrapped about the hilt of the sword is a SS NCO's troddel. This troddel has the same strapping as an officer's model, with a textured center and two sets of dual black stripes that run the length. The stem and slide are of aluminum bullion with a "V" weave that is accented by black thread. The black is a black and bullion with an insert that matches the strapping. This knot shows little wear. The scabbard shell is straight throughout. The original paint shows some wear but remains at least 90% intact. The finish retains a bit of shine as well. The lowe chape is the style that is built into the shell, somethig we see on NCO swords. The upper scabbard mount is in the "Wotan's Knot" configuration. It looks as though much of the darkening has worn from this knot, although it may not have been there in the first place. There is also some age on this mount but it could be cleaned up with a little effort. It is retained by a pair of dome head screws, one in each of the lower loops. Unusually this scabbard is not stamped with the SS-Kulturzeichen marking, although this is not unheard of.

The blade is a very fine example in mint condition. It has a standard matte finish and measures 33 inches long. There is a white leather blade washer in place, a hallmark of Krebs pieces.

A good example here, in untouched condition.

Excellent. $3,195.00

SSPOL #39849 SS NCO’s Degen – Alcoso

It is fairly unusual to see an SS NCO’s Degen by Alcoso; apparently this piece was a custom order. The degen has the usual silvered Alcoso mounts, namely the ferrule and the upper scabbard fitting. This degen comes from a collector I’ve know for some thirty years. He purchased it from a veteran many, many years ago and is now ready to pass it on.

The pommel is most unusual. Most NCO pommels with be the type with raised SS runes in the top. This degen has a standard flat pommel on which the SS runes have been professionally engraved. The engraving is superb, with double scribing and fine shading lines. A very striking, original enhancement here.

The “D” guard has good nickel plating and a fine curvature which runs through the center area and ends in a teardrop quillon. The ferrule is the silver type, with outstanding detail to the standing oak leaves and acorns. The mold lines on the ferrule have been concealed by means of hand engraved oak leaves and acorns.

Since this is an Alcoso piece there are no SS proof marks on the hilt or scabbard throat.

The grip of the degen is of fine ebony and is in perfect condition. A little of the lacquer is worn here and there and some of the raw wood is visible, but this is normal wear for an SS Degen.

The scabbard is a fine, long example, being straight throughout. It has good, original paint that shows minor traces of age and attic crazing. In the main, however, the paint is still quite good and is somewhere between 90 and 95% intact. The lower drag is the built-in style, as we see on NCO models. The upper mount is in the standard “Wotan’s Knot” configuration, with no darkening in the loops of the knot. It doesn’t look like it every had any. The two screws which retain the mount are in place on the lower loops and are the large size we associate with Alcoso.

The blade of this degen is an extremely long and a real monster. It measures 35 ½ inches long, a full half inch longer than the largest production model. It has a very fine, matte finish and shows virtually no age. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the last trademark used by Alcoso; a set of scale with the initials “ACS” intertwined, along with the name and location of the firm. There is a fine black leather blade washer in place.

An outstanding and interesting SS NCO’s Degen here, one that would make for a fine addition to any sword collection and of particular interest to the avid “type” collector.

Excellent Plus. $2,495.00

SSPOL #37676C SS Officer's Dachau Type Degen

This SS Degen was recently brought in by a consignor who acquired the sword back in the '70's at a San Antonio show. There are a lot of armed forces bases in that area; those of us collectors who used to do shows in the vicinity can vouch for the amount of militaria that would crop in these venues.

This Dachau Degen is in nice condition throughout. It has a stainless steel “D” guard with separate upper and lower ferrules. The “D” guard is completely textbook, with a teardrop quillon end. The lower ferrule has fine standing oak leaves separated by acorns. As is the case with the Dachau versions there is no background darkening to this design.

The tang nut is a standard, nickel-plated steel type, showing mild traces of age but nothing bad. The reverse cover plate is also nickel-plated steel.

The grip is a fine ebony beauty, being in perfect condition. This ebony has outstanding tight nickel wire. The runes button is also stainless as we see on these degens. This button has fine, raised SS runes with a good background darkening.

The scabbard of this degen is not the slimmer type we usually see with these swords, but rather is the standard size. What makes it a definite Dachau piece is the fact that the upper scabbard mount with the Wotan's Knot is also made of stainless steel. It is retained by two headless side screws. The lower mount is a conventional style which still has the darkening in its decorative lines and is retained by two dome head screws. The scabbard shell is straight throughout and has fairly good original paint. This paint shows some crazing here and there and a little bit of wear on the reverse center. Overall, though, it is at least 95% intact.

The unmarked blade is in choice condition, measuring 32 inches long. It has the conventional fuller and good, crisp edges. This blade remains in Mint condition. It has the standard Dachau type brown leather washer.

A nice Dachau Degen here, one that would fit well into any SS collection.

Excellent Plus. $5,995.00

SSPOL #30860 Police NCO's Degen - Paul Weyersberg

This Police NCO's Degen is really in nice overall condition. The nickel plated hilt mounts all have their original finish and really look great, being 100%. The “D” guard, crossguard and quillon, ends in a small teardrop. The pommel cap above is the flat variety, as this is an NCO version. This pommel cap also has outstanding plating and no signs of tool marks. The ferrule of this example is an outstanding one, having good detail to the 6 standing oak leaves and the acorns in between. There does not appear to be any factory darkening in the backgrounds, but because of the nice detail here, it doesn’t need it. The grip of this example is a very fine ebony. The reverse of the grip is absolutely perfect, showing no use at all. The obverse is also choice, showing only a couple of taps in the two ribs above the insignia, but they would be easy to cover with a little darkening polish, or even Magic Marker. This is a really nice ebony grip here. This grip, of course, has no wire as it is the NCO version. In the center, countersunk flat, is a fine Police aluminum NCO Eagle. This bird still has most of the original detail, which is commensurate with the rest of the Degen. The bird’s head, breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath, and swastika are still extremely clear.

Wrapped about the lower portion of this hilt is what appears to be the original Police troddel. This troddel is the larger type, having black leather strapping. The strapping is decorated with triple rows of aluminum stitch wire. A little bit of the red contrasting wire still remains in the center, but most of this red wire has gone to time. The leather shows some usage on all of the edges but is still intact, and if left alone, will stay there for many years to come. The slide is a black leather weave that has red and bullion highlights. The stem is flat having a crochet-like surface, and you can see the metal below. The oval ball is of yarn-like bullion, and the cat’s anus-style stuffing is done with black, white, and red thread. The scabbard of this example is nice and straight throughout. The paint is still bright, showing some age in the surfaces and a few scuffs, but overall this paint is really in good shape compared to most of them that you see. This paint cleaned up would easily rate in a near mint state.

The 33½ inch long blade has the usual matte finish and, frankly, it is as nice as you will see. This blade is in a mint state. The reverse ricasso is marked with a dark etched double oval trademark. The ovals contain the firm’s name and location, “Paul Weyersberg & Co., Solingen”. Inside is a downward pointing Roman-like sword positioned between two wheat sheafs. A nice blade here! This blade is protected by a off-white color leather washer. There are no SS markings on this sword, as Paul Weyersberg did not do this. A very nice example here, that with minimal work will really clean up to be a sensational piece.

Near Mint. $1,395.00