Exceptional Original SS Führerdegen Grip from an SS officer’s Ehrendegen, retaining its black ribbed wooden body, complete silver-coloured wire winding, inset SS rune medallion and finely detailed oak-leaf-and-acorn lower ferrule.
Internal photographs reveal the original hardwood core, period tang aperture and concealed wire fixing. Moreover, the excellent preservation makes this a particularly strong reference example of original SS officer sword construction.
Price: £1,995
€ 1.995
1 in stock
This Original SS Führerdegen Grip represents an exceptionally well-preserved component from an SS officer’s Ehrendegen or Führerdegen sword.
The black wooden grip retains its characteristic deeply ribbed profile together with the original silver-coloured wire decoration. At the centre sits the distinctive inset SS Doppel-Sig rune medallion. Below it, an elaborate nickel-coloured ferrule displays standing oak leaves, acorns and a finely textured background.
Importantly, extensive photographs of both external and concealed surfaces allow the construction to be examined in considerably greater detail than is normally possible with a complete assembled sword.
The result is an unusually instructive and visually impressive original SS edged-weapon component.
The grip consists of a substantial blackened hardwood core rather than modern moulded resin or plastic.
Regular horizontal ribs run around the body, while individual silver-coloured wire bands follow the contours of the wooden grip. The winding remains remarkably complete and tight.
Close examination of the exposed upper end reveals natural wood grain, period machining and the central aperture originally accommodating the sword tang.
Most significantly, one of the wire terminations can be seen entering the wooden body.
This concealed construction detail is important because it demonstrates that the winding was mechanically incorporated into the grip rather than simply added cosmetically to its exterior.
Documented original SS swords include early examples with black grips, intact wire winding and separately inset emblems. Specialist dealer Helmut Weitze describes those same fundamental features on authenticated period SS Degens. See comparable SS Degen reference examples at Helmut Weitze.
The obverse carries the characteristic circular SS rune medallion associated with the officer Ehrendegen configuration.
Two raised silver-coloured Sig runes sit against a dark recessed field. A broad polished surround frames the central emblem.
The medallion fits deeply and naturally into the shaped wooden grip. Furthermore, the surrounding wire follows the contours of the emblem rather than appearing crudely interrupted or recently modified.
Ageing also appears consistent across the rune device, wood and adjacent winding.
The recessed background retains attractive dark toning, while exposed portions of the runes and border display lighter contact wear.
Taken together, these features create the appearance expected from a component that has remained assembled for a prolonged period.
An especially attractive feature is the ornate lower grip ferrule.
Deeply modelled oak leaves and acorns surround the base, with sharply defined veins, stems and textured recessed fields.
The workmanship remains unusually crisp.
Dark patination survives naturally within the deeper recesses. Conversely, raised areas show lighter wear and brighter exposed metal.
This variation is significant because naturally aged fittings rarely display completely uniform colour.
Comparable original SS Führerdegen examples documented by Weitze feature the characteristic black grip, wire winding and early nickel-coloured fittings.
The newly exposed ends of this Original SS Führerdegen Grip provide valuable authentication evidence.
The upper surface clearly shows an aged hardwood core surrounding the original central tang aperture.
Tool marks and irregularities remain visible inside the opening. Meanwhile, the exposed timber has developed a naturally oxidised brown colour instead of the pale appearance normally associated with recently cut wood.
Darkening continues deep into the aperture.
In addition, the visible wire termination enters the grip itself. There is no obvious evidence of a recently drilled fixing hole, fresh adhesive or newly machined timber.
The lower opening also exhibits long-established age and darkening.
These hidden areas are particularly useful when assessing originality because they were never intended as decorative external surfaces.
Based on the extensive photographic examination, this grip displays a convincing combination of characteristics associated with original period SS officer sword construction:
Consequently, the photographs support identification as a period-original SS officer Ehrendegen/Führerdegen grip assembly.
No specific sword manufacturer should be attributed to the loose grip without supporting maker or acceptance markings.
That distinction is important. Period SS sword production involved Solingen blade manufacturers alongside specialist suppliers of hilt components. Documented Weitze examples include blades by Peter Daniel Krebs, Solingen, combined with early hilt components marked for Werkstätten Otto Gahr, München.
Therefore, attributing this individual grip to Krebs, Gahr or another maker without a visible mark would go beyond the available evidence.
The SS officer Degen became one of the distinctive dress edged weapons associated with the SS leadership during the Third Reich period.
Different configurations and production variations existed. Consequently, collectors must evaluate construction, fittings, insignia, materials and hidden assembly details rather than relying upon the presence of the SS emblem alone.
Early documented examples show precisely the combination of a dark wooden grip, metal wire winding, nickel-coloured fittings and separately inserted emblem seen on this surviving grip. Weitze currently documents an example manufactured around 1937 with an early nickel hilt, black grip, intact wire winding and original inset emblem.
For further SS-related militaria, see our Original SS Items collection.
Collectors researching German edged weapons may also wish to view our Militaria Reference Books & Literature
Exceptional original condition.
The black wooden grip remains remarkably well preserved. Its surface shows only minor age-related wear, while the ribbed profile remains strong and clearly defined.
Almost all of the silver-coloured wire decoration remains securely positioned.
Furthermore, the SS rune medallion retains excellent definition. Its darkened recessed field contrasts attractively against the brighter raised runes and outer border.
The lower oak-leaf ferrule displays similarly impressive preservation.
Fine detailing remains sharp throughout the leaves, acorns and textured background. Natural toning survives in protected recesses rather than having been removed through aggressive polishing.
The exposed wooden ends inevitably show the marks associated with removal from the original sword. However, these areas actually provide important evidence of period construction and age.
Overall, this represents an outstanding surviving original SS Führerdegen grip.
Loose original SS sword components of this quality are difficult to find.
Complete examples inevitably command the greatest prices. Nevertheless, an intact grip retaining the original rune device, wire winding, wooden core and decorative lower fitting has considerable value in its own right.
It also provides collectors with a rare opportunity to examine concealed construction details that remain inaccessible when a sword is fully assembled.
For that reason, this piece functions equally well as a specialised collector’s item, restoration reference and comparative study example.
A complete Krebs SS leader’s sword sold through Ratisbon’s in April 2026 for €5,230, demonstrating continuing demand for genuine SS officer swords. View the documented Ratisbon’s result.
Several characteristics elevate this example above the average loose sword component.
First, the black wooden body remains exceptionally complete. Secondly, the decorative wire survives virtually intact.
Equally significant is the original inset SS rune medallion.
The decorated lower ferrule retains crisp oak-leaf and acorn detail, while exposed internal surfaces allow the original method of construction to be studied.
Few detached examples permit such comprehensive inspection.
As a result, this Original SS Führerdegen Grip would form an excellent addition to an advanced collection of SS edged weapons, officer accoutrements or Third Reich militaria.
Item: SS officer sword grip assembly
Type: Ehrendegen / Führerdegen pattern
Organisation: Schutzstaffel (SS)
Period: Third Reich, 1930s
Grip material: Blackened hardwood
Decoration: Silver-coloured wire winding
Emblem: Inset SS Doppel-Sig rune medallion
Lower fitting: Oak-leaf-and-acorn decorated ferrule
Internal construction: Central tang aperture with concealed wire fixing
Condition: Exceptional
Originality assessment: Period original based on photographic examination
Maker: Unattributed
Price: £1,995
For comparison with documented period originals, see Helmut Weitze – SS Degen reference examples. Their records include early nickel-fitted swords with black grips, wire winding and inset emblems.
Current historical market comparisons can also be found through the Ratisbon’s SS Leader’s Sword archive, including the Krebs example sold for €5,230 in April 2026.
An exceptionally fine Original SS Führerdegen Grip retaining its blackened hardwood body, silver-coloured wire winding, inset SS rune medallion and ornate oak-leaf-and-acorn lower ferrule.
The preservation is particularly impressive. More importantly, photographs of the exposed interior reveal convincing period woodworking, an original tang channel and concealed wire attachment.
Consistent ageing continues from the visible external surfaces into normally inaccessible areas of the grip.
These construction details, combined with the correct officer-pattern decoration and outstanding overall preservation, support identification as an authentic period SS officer Ehrendegen/Führerdegen component.
For the advanced collector of original SS swords and Third Reich edged weapons, this is an unusually attractive and highly useful reference piece.
Price: £1,995
