This F. Herder Röhm dagger is a scarce early Model 1933 SA service dagger from the first production period. Its blade retains the complete Ernst Röhm dedication. It also carries the crossed-keys trademark of F. Herder A.S., Solingen.
€ 7.000
1 in stock
This F. Herder Röhm dagger is a scarce early Model 1933 SA service dagger from the first production period. Its blade retains the complete Ernst Röhm dedication. It also carries the crossed-keys trademark of F. Herder A.S., Solingen.
Furthermore, the reverse lower crossguard bears the regional code “Wf”. This mark identifies distribution through SA-Gruppe Westfalen. The dagger retains its dark hardwood grip, early nickel fittings and brown steel scabbard.
Complete Röhm-dedication daggers remain much harder to find than standard SA service daggers. Therefore, this example has considerable historical and collector interest despite its age-related wear.
View more original SA and NSKK daggers in the Nordmenn Militaria collection.
The SA adopted the Model 1933 service dagger shortly after the National Socialist government came to power. Its form included a shaped brown grip, swept guards and a double-edged blade.
The obverse carried the SA motto:
Alles für Deutschland
This translates as:
Everything for Germany
The Imperial War Museums holds a Model 1933 SA honour dagger with the same basic grip form, blade motto and reverse Röhm dedication. Its collection record provides an institutional reference for this important dagger type.
During 1934, qualifying early SA members received a special version with a facsimile dedication from Ernst Röhm. The inscription on this dagger reads:
In herzlicher Kameradschaft Ernst Röhm
A suitable translation is:
In heartfelt comradeship, Ernst Röhm
The inscription came from the factory. Therefore, Röhm did not personally sign each blade.
Röhm lost power and was killed during the political purge of summer 1934. Afterwards, many owners removed his name from their daggers.
Some recipients erased only the signature. Others removed the complete inscription. Consequently, collectors now describe surviving blades as full Röhm, partial Röhm or ground Röhm examples.
A full inscription adds substantial rarity. However, blade condition, maker, scabbard and originality still determine the final value. Auction records confirm that intact dedication daggers command greater interest than examples with removed inscriptions.
This F. Herder Röhm dagger retains the complete dedication. Therefore, it represents the most desirable version of the pattern.
The reverse blade carries the complete dedication in cursive script. Röhm’s large facsimile signature appears near the maker mark.
The inscription remains readable across its full length. Moreover, the visible wear follows the surrounding blade surface. The appearance does not suggest a recently bright-cut inscription.
However, the blade has received considerable lengthwise polishing. This work has softened parts of the dedication. It has also reduced much of the original transverse factory grain.
The strongest portions of the inscription remain clear. Nevertheless, the introductory words appear lighter than the signature. Several dark spots and small areas of surface deterioration also remain.
No further polishing should take place. Additional cleaning could damage the surviving inscription and reduce the dagger’s value.
The reverse ricasso displays the crossed-keys trademark above the wording:
F. HERDER A.S.
SOLINGEN
The mark remains clear despite the blade cleaning. Its placement beside the Röhm signature matches other recorded F. Herder examples.
Ratisbon’s has documented another F. Herder full Röhm dagger with the same Wf Westfalen mark. That example also had a dark wooden grip, nickel fittings and a brown anodised scabbard.
In addition, eMedals has catalogued an F. Herder Röhm dagger with the crossed-keys logo and a complete reverse dedication. That example provides another useful construction comparison.
These documented daggers support the maker and dedication combination visible on the present piece.
The obverse carries the standard SA motto in Gothic lettering:
Alles für Deutschland
The inscription remains dark and clearly legible. Its position and letter style correspond with the Model 1933 pattern.
However, the blade surface shows extensive longitudinal cleaning. Some original grain remains near the spine and ricasso. Even so, polishing has removed much of the original finish.
The motto appears darker than the reverse dedication. This difference may result from the original etching depth, retained darkening or later enhancement. Therefore, a specialist should inspect both inscriptions under magnification.
The photographs do not show obvious evidence of a newly cut motto. Nevertheless, microscopic examination would strengthen any formal certificate.
The dagger has a deeply contoured hardwood grip with a dark reddish-brown finish. Its shape matches early SA dagger construction.
The grip retains both original-style inset emblems:
National eagle: A nickel eagle holding a wreath and swastika occupies the centre.
SA roundel: The circular enamelled SA emblem sits near the upper guard.
Both insignia appear correctly positioned. In addition, their wear broadly matches the grip and metal fittings.
The wood shows scratches, pressure marks and areas of finish loss. Natural shrinkage has also created slight gaps beside the guards. However, the grip remains complete and structurally sound.
The dagger should not be dismantled to reduce these gaps. Disassembly could damage the wood or disturb the original tang assembly.
Browse the wider Third Reich weapons collection for related edged weapons and accessories.
The upper and lower guards display the swept profile associated with the early Model 1933 dagger.
Their surfaces show scratches, small contact marks and natural patination. However, they lack the extensive bubbling often seen on later plated zinc fittings.
The pommel nut remains correctly seated. Moreover, the guard-to-grip fit appears consistent with an early assembled dagger.
The fittings show wear that matches the rest of the piece. Therefore, the principal components appear to have aged together.
The reverse lower crossguard carries the stamped abbreviation:
Wf
This mark identifies SA-Gruppe Westfalen. Early SA group stamps recorded the regional organisation responsible for a dagger’s distribution.
However, the mark does not identify the original owner. It provides a regional association rather than a personal attribution.
The Ratisbon’s archive contains a named F. Herder Röhm dagger with the same Wf mark. Its upper scabbard fitting carried the engraved name “Neef”.
No comparable engraving appears on the present scabbard. Therefore, this dagger must remain unattributed. The shared maker and group mark do not connect it to Hermann Neef.
The dagger retains an early brown-finished steel scabbard with nickel throat and lower fittings.
The body shows extensive period wear. Scratches, finish loss, oxidation and surface deterioration appear across both sides. Nevertheless, the scabbard remains reasonably straight.
The upper suspension ring remains present. Furthermore, the retaining screws appear intact. The lower ball shows wear but no major crushing.
The scabbard fittings display a muted age patina. Their condition complements the guards and grip.
No leather hanger accompanies the dagger in the supplied photographs. An original matching hanger would improve completeness and market value.
For related early examples, see this SA dagger by Gebrüder Heller and this SA dagger by F. Ed. Ohliger.
Based on the photographs, this dagger displays a convincing group of period characteristics:
The blade polishing creates the main area of concern. It has reduced the grain and softened the reverse etching. Therefore, a microscopic examination should confirm the inscription before an unconditional guarantee.
The safest professional conclusion is:
An early F. Herder A.S. Model 1933 SA dagger with Wf Westfalen mark and complete Ernst Röhm dedication. The principal components appear period and internally consistent. However, the polished blade should receive microscopic examination before final certification.
The F. Herder Röhm dagger remains in good, age-worn collector condition.
The full dedication, early trademark and Wf stamp form its strongest features. In addition, the dagger retains its grip insignia, early fittings and original-style scabbard.
The main condition deductions include:
Despite these issues, the inscription remains substantially complete. Therefore, the dagger retains strong historical and collector appeal.
The condition of the blade prevents this example from reaching the highest full Röhm price category. However, the F. Herder trademark, complete dedication and Wf mark add a significant premium.
Subject to specialist confirmation of the inscription, I recommend the following values:
Specialist auction estimate: £2,750–£3,500
Collector-to-collector value: £3,250–£4,000
Specialist retail range: £3,950–£4,500
This valuation reflects the complete inscription and scarce maker combination. However, it also accounts for the polished blade, worn scabbard and missing hanger.
Object: Model 1933 SA Röhm Honour Dagger
Manufacturer: F. Herder A.S., Solingen
Date: circa 1934
Organisation: Sturmabteilung
Group mark: Wf — SA-Gruppe Westfalen
Blade motto: Alles für Deutschland
Reverse dedication: In herzlicher Kameradschaft Ernst Röhm
Grip: Contoured dark brown hardwood
Insignia: SA roundel and national eagle
Fittings: Early nickel guards and pommel nut
Scabbard: Brown steel with nickel fittings
Condition: Good, with extensive blade polishing and scabbard wear
Attribution: Unattributed
