Exceptionally desirable numbered ex-Röhm SS dagger manufactured by Gottlieb Hammesfahr, Solingen-Focheduring the early production period of the Model 1933 SS service dagger.
€ 6.995
1 in stock
This exceptional Numbered Ex-Röhm SS Dagger represents an important variation of the early Model 1933 SS service dagger.
Originally produced by Gottlieb Hammesfahr of Solingen-Foche, the dagger combines early-period construction with a numbered lower crossguard and clear evidence of the removal of its former Ernst Röhm dedication.
Most surviving early SS daggers were never Röhm-dedicated examples. Consequently, a genuine ex-Röhm dagger occupies a substantially more desirable collecting category.
Furthermore, the surviving SS number creates the possibility of reconnecting this weapon with its original recipient.
During 1934 selected early members of the SA and SS received daggers carrying the personal dedication of SA Chief of Staff Ernst Röhm.
Rather than displaying a standard plain maker side, these special blades originally bore the script inscription:
“In herzlicher Kameradschaft Ernst Röhm”
Political events changed the status of these weapons within only a few months.
Following Röhm’s removal and death during the purge of June and July 1934, owners received instructions to eliminate his name and dedication from their daggers.
As a result, surviving examples appear in several forms.
Some retain the complete dedication, whereas others show partial removal. By contrast, the present dagger belongs to the fully ground ex-Röhm category, where the dedication has been deliberately removed from the reverse face.
That historic alteration forms an integral part of the dagger’s story rather than simply constituting blade damage.
Gottlieb Hammesfahr ranked among the recognised Solingen manufacturers of early SS edged weapons.
Visible beneath the lower guard is the firm’s characteristic oval maker trademark.
Although surface wear has softened portions of the mark, its configuration corresponds with recognised Gottlieb Hammesfahr, Solingen-Foche SS dagger production.
Importantly, documented numbered Hammesfahr ex-Röhm daggers survive.
A useful comparison appeared through C&T Auctioneers: SS-Nr. 20,494, also manufactured by Gottlieb Hammesfahr, retained its maker trademark after the Röhm inscription had been removed. The auction description additionally records an anodised scabbard, nickel fittings and numbered lower guard, creating a very relevant construction comparison for the present piece.
Therefore, the combination seen here fits an established Hammesfahr ex-Röhm configuration.
The reverse blade provides the strongest evidence of the dagger’s ex-Röhm history.
Substantial longitudinal finishing and grinding appear across the precise area formerly occupied by the dedication.
Rather than exhibiting random isolated damage, the treatment extends along the blade in a manner consistent with deliberate inscription removal.
Significantly, the Hammesfahr trademark survives immediately below the crossguard.
Such preservation makes sense because the maker mark lay above the principal dedication and therefore did not require complete removal.
Meanwhile, the blade retains extensive natural age toning and oxidation.
Nothing about the surface suggests that somebody recently polished a modern blade in an attempt to imitate an ex-Röhm.
Instead, the grinding itself has aged together with the remainder of the steel.
The opposite face retains the traditional SS motto:
“Meine Ehre heißt Treue”
Its Gothic lettering remains strongly defined despite the considerable overall patina on the blade.
Moreover, the positioning, scale and relationship of the inscription to the central ridge look appropriate for an early-period M1933 SS dagger.
Surface oxidation extends naturally through the surrounding steel.
Consequently, the motto face retains considerable historical character rather than presenting as artificially restored.
The most intriguing feature appears on the lower crossguard.
Clearly engraved into the nickel surface is:
19 375
Early numbered Röhm SS daggers provide an exceptional research opportunity because the number can potentially identify the original SS member.
Specialist SS-number research relies on surviving captured personnel documentation and Berlin Document Center material. The SS Dagger Research Service reports a database containing more than 100,000 SS numbers drawn from captured German records, including many members who do not appear in published officer seniority lists.
At present, however, I have not found a sufficiently reliable public identification for SS-Nr. 19,375.
Therefore, the catalogue should not attach an unverified name to this dagger.
That restraint actually strengthens the description because future documentation can be added without correcting an earlier speculative attribution.
SS-Nr. 19,375 deserves further investigation.
Once a recipient name and date of birth can be established, the original personnel file may provide rank, unit history, promotions, political membership and occasionally photographs.
The Bundesarchiv confirms that the former Berlin Document Center holdings contain approximately 350,000 files relating to SS personnel, together with extensive RuSHA, NSDAP and other biographical material.
Consequently, recipient identification could transform this from a numbered dagger into a fully researched named historical object.
Until then, it should remain catalogued accurately as:
SS-Nr. 19,375 – recipient currently under archival investigation.
The grip displays the classic deep-black appearance associated with early SS dagger production.
Careful contouring gives the timber the characteristic narrow waist and pronounced lower shoulders.
Set into the upper section is the enamelled SS runic roundel.
Below it sits the national eagle with swastika.
Both insignia appear naturally seated within the wood rather than recently installed.
Furthermore, the grip shows age and minor handling without serious modern refinishing.
The relationship between wood and guards appears particularly pleasing from the photographs.
Both crossguards display the heavy construction expected from early-period fittings.
Their surfaces now carry a mellow nickel patina rather than an excessively bright modern finish.
Minor scratches and handling marks remain visible throughout.
Importantly, the engraving of 19,375 has aged together with the surrounding guard.
The number does not appear freshly cut into an otherwise old fitting.
Overall, the hilt components present as a coherent period assembly.
Accompanying the dagger is an early black scabbard with nickel throat and lower chape.
Its body retains considerable original dark finish together with widespread age spotting.
Natural wear appears particularly pronounced across exposed areas.
Conversely, the nickel mounts remain substantially intact and retain an attractive aged surface.
The throat fitting also carries its original suspension ring.
At the lower end, the characteristic nickel chape terminates in the rounded ball associated with the early M33 pattern.
Most collectors would consider the present untouched appearance preferable to a heavily restored scabbard.
This dagger remains in honest, untouched collector condition.
Considerable grey toning and age spotting cover the blade.
However, the steel still displays its original form, central ridge and strongly legible motto.
Likewise, the reverse reveals the historic Röhm-removal treatment without subsequent attempts to hide it.
Nickel fittings show normal age and handling.
Meanwhile, the grip remains particularly attractive and appears free from major structural loss in the photographs supplied.
Scabbard wear matches the overall condition of the dagger.
For a historically altered ex-Röhm example, that consistency is a positive feature.
Taken together, the components form a convincing early-period Gottlieb Hammesfahr numbered ex-Röhm SS dagger.
Strong points include the correct early hilt configuration, black wooden grip, period insignia, solid nickel fittings, Hammesfahr trademark, engraved SS membership number and historically ground reverse blade.
Additionally, the blade and scabbard display coherent long-term ageing.
A documented Hammesfahr dagger numbered 20,494 demonstrates that numbered, completely erased Röhm examples from this manufacturer unquestionably exist.
Therefore, I would catalogue the present dagger confidently as an original ex-Röhm example, rather than merely describing it as a possible Röhm dagger.
Several factors distinguish this dagger from a standard Model 1933 SS example.
First, Gottlieb Hammesfahr represents a respected early Solingen maker.
Second, the original Röhm dedication makes the blade historically significant even though the inscription was subsequently removed.
Third, SS-Nr. 19,375 provides direct potential for recipient identification.
Finally, its untouched appearance preserves the historical alterations and ageing that collectors expect from a genuine period piece.
Together, those qualities make the dagger especially suitable for an advanced SS edged-weapons collection.
Should research positively identify SS-Nr. 19,375, I would reassess the price immediately.
A notable recipient, early unit assignment or strong surviving personnel file could justify moving the dagger towards or beyond the upper end of that range.
This Numbered Ex-Röhm SS Dagger offers considerably more historical interest than a standard M1933 example.
Gottlieb Hammesfahr manufacture establishes its early Solingen origins, while the period-ground reverse records the dramatic political events surrounding Ernst Röhm during 1934.
Equally significant, SS membership number 19,375 remains clearly visible on the lower nickel guard.
Further archival investigation may eventually identify its original owner.
Until then, the dagger stands on its own merits as an original, numbered and historically altered early SS edged weapon.
Final catalogue identification:
Explore related listings: SS Daggers; Original SS Items – Nordmenn Militaria; Weapons – Nordmenn Militaria.
For the paragraph discussing numbered dagger research use:
SS membership-number research:
Research Service for the Identification of Schutzstaffel Numbers
For primary archival research use:
German Federal Archives / Berlin Document Center:
Bundesarchiv – Berlin Document Center
For a documented Hammesfahr numbered ex-Röhm comparison use:
C&T Auctioneers archived comparable:
Numbered Gottlieb Hammesfahr Ex-Röhm SS Dagger No. 20,494
