Exceptional early Eickhorn Full Röhm SA Dagger retaining the complete “In herzlicher Kameradschaft Ernst Röhm”blade dedication. Manufactured by Carl Eickhorn, Solingen, this remarkable example also carries an “Ns” SA group mark and the highly unusual crossguard inscription “Ehre Kraft Freiheit – 30.4.1934.” The wording and date create an important potential connection with the newly opened Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Oberschule at Feldafing.
€ 11.750
1 in stock
This Eickhorn Full Röhm SA Dagger is an exceptional early Model 1933 SA honour dagger with the complete Ernst Röhm dedication, Carl Eickhorn squirrel trademark and a highly unusual dated crossguard inscription. Its combination of early manufacture, intact dedication, regional group marking and potential Feldafing association places it far above an ordinary SA service dagger.
Introduced in 1933, the SA service dagger became one of the principal edged weapons of the Sturmabteilung. Early examples employed solid nickel fittings, brown hardwood grips and brown-finished scabbards.
In addition, specially selected early members received honour examples carrying Ernst Röhm’s personal dedication on the reverse of the blade.
Following Röhm’s killing during the purge of June and July 1934, owners normally removed the dedication from surviving honour daggers. Consequently, untouched Full Röhm examples now form a dramatically scarcer collecting category.
This Eickhorn Full Röhm SA Dagger retains the complete inscription and therefore represents the most desirable surviving form of the Röhm variation.
Carl Eickhorn ranked among the foremost Solingen edged-weapon manufacturers of the period.
The reverse ricasso carries the firm’s characteristic early squirrel trademark immediately above the lower crossguard. Moreover, its position is significant because Röhm-period Eickhorn blades commonly placed the smaller manufacturer mark close to the guard, leaving room for the dedication.
Collectors can compare another original Carl Eickhorn edged weapon in the Nordmenn collection here:
Carl Eickhorn Land Customs Dagger – Nordmenn Militaria
A further early SA comparison can be found within Nordmenn’s existing collection:
J. Dirlam Early Model 1933 SA Dagger – Nordmenn Militaria
The obverse carries the standard SA motto:
Alles für Deutschland
Its Gothic lettering retains excellent contrast against the bright blade.
Positioning, scale and alignment relative to the central ridge appear consistent with early Model 1933 manufacture. Meanwhile, the blade itself retains a strong symmetrical profile and well-defined point.
No aggressive polishing should now be undertaken because the surviving surface structure forms an important part of the dagger’s authentication evidence.
Turning the dagger over reveals its most important standard feature.
The reverse blade retains the full script dedication:
“In herzlicher Kameradschaft Ernst Röhm”
Unlike an ex-Röhm example, the signature remains complete.
Most honour daggers lost all or part of the inscription after the July 1934 order. Therefore, an untouched Eickhorn Full Röhm SA Dagger occupies a substantially higher collecting category than either a standard SA dagger or a completely ground Röhm example.
The extraordinary survival of the dedication deserves particular emphasis in the catalogue record.
For comparison with another intact Röhm honour dagger already within the Nordmenn collection, see:
Numbered Full Röhm SS Dagger – Nordmenn Militaria
That SS dagger represents a different organisation and should not be confused with the present SA example. Nevertheless, it provides useful internal collector context for the rarity of complete Röhm inscriptions.
The additional engraving on the upper crossguard makes this dagger particularly important.
It appears to read:
Ehre Kraft Freiheit
30.4.1934
Translated, the wording means approximately:
Honour – Strength – Freedom
Historical research connects “Ehre, Kraft, Freiheit” directly with the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Oberschule Starnberger See at Feldafing, later known as the Reichsschule Feldafing.
Modern research into the institution records that the school opened on 1 April 1934 with approximately 200 pupils in six classes and twelve educators. Ernst Röhm had selected Feldafing for the project, making the first weeks of the school’s existence particularly closely associated with the SA leadership.
The date engraved on this dagger, 30 April 1934, falls only twenty-nine days after the school opened.
That chronological relationship is remarkable.
Additional evidence makes the wording even more interesting.
Research into the surviving Feldafing historical collection specifically records school-associated bayonets bearing the phrase:
“Ehre, Kraft, Freiheit.”
Those weapons were connected with pupils of the Reichsschule.
Consequently, the same wording appearing on an intact Röhm SA dagger dated during the school’s opening month deserves serious investigation.
At present, however, the evidence establishes a strong historical association rather than a proven named Feldafing attribution.
That distinction should remain in the catalogue description until documentary evidence identifies the recipient.
Archival material survives for the institution.
The Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek records Bundesarchiv file BArch R 187/557, covering the Reichsschule Feldafing and its predecessor, the NS-Oberschule am Starnberger See. Importantly, the surviving material begins in 1934 and includes early admission documentation.
Bundesarchiv / Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek – Reichsschule Feldafing Records
Future research should concentrate on instructors, SA officials, visitors and administrative personnel present between 1 April and 30 April 1934.
That work could potentially identify why this dagger received the additional inscription.
A small “Ns” marking appears on the lower crossguard.
This abbreviation is conventionally associated with SA-Gruppe Niedersachsen.
Although a regional group mark does not identify an individual owner, it provides another useful filter for archival research. Therefore, personnel connected simultaneously with Niedersachsen and the Feldafing institution deserve particular attention.
A successful match would greatly strengthen the historical attribution.
The brown hardwood grip remains exceptionally attractive.
Strong natural grain runs through the wood, while the characteristic waisted profile fits neatly between the crossguards.
Both principal insignia remain present. Near the pommel sits the circular enamelled SA roundel, while the national eagle occupies the centre of the grip.
Bright early-style fittings complement the timber particularly well.
Their stepped terminals, sweeping form and proportions correspond with the appearance expected from early SA dagger construction.
The accompanying brown scabbard survives in equally impressive condition.
Its body retains an unusually rich and even finish. Furthermore, the nickel-coloured throat and lower chape remain bright and sharply defined.
The upper fitting retains its suspension ring.
Minor handling marks remain visible, yet the overall presentation suggests careful preservation rather than extensive restoration.
Collectors can browse other original edged weapons in the same Nordmenn section here:
Nordmenn Militaria – Original Weapons Collection
Blade preservation represents another major strength.
Both faces remain remarkably bright, while the etched inscriptions show strong definition and contrast.
Fine surface marks can be seen under close lighting. However, no destructive grinding affects the Röhm dedication.
That feature alone separates this dagger from the overwhelming majority of surviving Röhm honour pieces.
Preservation in its present state is strongly recommended.
From the photographs supplied, the underlying dagger displays a convincing group of early Eickhorn characteristics.
Positive features include the early squirrel maker mark, correct SA motto, complete Röhm dedication, brown hardwood grip, inset insignia, early-style fittings, regional crossguard marking and matching brown scabbard.
The position of the Eickhorn mark is particularly encouraging.
Nevertheless, sophisticated reconstructed Röhm blades exist. Recent specialist discussions demonstrate why etch depth, microscopic acid striations and original blade grain remain important when assessing Full Röhm examples.
Consequently, final certification should include magnified examination of both the Röhm dedication and the dated guard inscription.
The presentation inscription requires its own examination.
Microscopy should inspect the walls and bases of the engraved characters. Genuine period cutting should display compatible oxidation, rounded age to exposed edges and uninterrupted surface development.
Equally important, the date and wording must age consistently with the surrounding nickel fitting.
If those tests confirm period application, the historical importance increases significantly.
A direct Feldafing documentary connection would elevate it further.
Three different attributes make this Eickhorn Full Röhm SA Dagger particularly noteworthy.
First, it retains the complete Ernst Röhm dedication.
Second, Carl Eickhorn manufactured the dagger during the critical early production period.
Finally, the “Ehre Kraft Freiheit – 30.4.1934” inscription corresponds strikingly with the opening month and documented motto of the Feldafing school.
Few surviving SA daggers combine these characteristics.
Blade: Excellent bright condition with complete SA motto and complete Ernst Röhm dedication.
Maker: Early Carl Eickhorn squirrel trademark clearly visible close to the guard.
Grip: Excellent brown hardwood with pronounced grain and attractive finish.
SA roundel: Present and well seated.
Grip eagle: Complete with strong detail.
Crossguards: Excellent early-style bright fittings.
Regional marking: “Ns”, associated with SA-Gruppe Niedersachsen.
Presentation inscription: “Ehre Kraft Freiheit – 30.4.1934”.
Scabbard: Excellent brown finish with bright matching fittings.
Overall condition: Exceptional / museum-quality presentation.
For the advanced edged-weapons collector, this dagger combines rarity, condition and unusually concentrated historical research potential.
The Full Röhm dedication alone places it well above a normal Eickhorn SA dagger. Moreover, the dated inscription introduces a feature that may ultimately prove unique or extremely rare.
Accordingly, the dagger deserves further investigation through Bundesarchiv and surviving Feldafing material rather than treatment merely as another SA dagger.
Overall, this Eickhorn Full Röhm SA Dagger represents an exceptional early 1934 Carl Eickhorn honour dagger retaining the complete Ernst Röhm dedication, early fittings, Ns regional mark and an extraordinary “Ehre Kraft Freiheit – 30.4.1934” presentation inscription.
Current documentary evidence establishes that Feldafing opened during April 1934 under Röhm’s influence and that the phrase Ehre, Kraft, Freiheit later appeared on school-associated edged weapons.
Therefore, the Feldafing connection should form an important part of the catalogue narrative while remaining explicitly described as under continuing archival investigation.
Bundesarchiv / Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek – Reichsschule Feldafing Archive File
Historical Research – Reichsschule Feldafing and Ernst Röhm
Feldafing Historical Collection – “Ehre, Kraft, Freiheit” Sidearms
For specialist Röhm-dagger comparison, Helmut Weitze currently documents an intact Carl Eickhorn Röhm honour dagger in the SS field. It is not a direct SA valuation comparison, but its blade and maker features provide useful reference material.
