Allgemeine SS Damascus-Bladed Honour Sword, to Ludwig Ruckdeschel
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 50.GOR.02.04.02.003.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
The blade is made of Damascus steel with gilt acid etching on both sides. The obverse features the motto "Meine Ehre heißt Treue!" (My honour is loyalty!) in between SS runes and downward reaching oak leaves. At the top of the blade are the initials of the recipient, "LR". With oak leaf pattern on the reverse. The blade was fashioned in the SS-owned blade forge at Dachau, most likely with the help of master weaponsmith Paul Müller. The guard is made of silver and features an oak leaf pattern, under the white leather guard is the rune maker mark inside an octagon of the Munich-based silversmithy of Otto and Karolina Gahr. Black wooden grip with silver wire und imbedded disc with SS runes on dark backing. The steel scabbard with 95% retained black lacquering and fittings made of silver. Complete with portepee for SS leaders, as well as black leather hanger, with reverse stamp "Schambach & Co. Berlin 1938". Sword measuring 95 cm. Extremely rare honour sword of the SS in worn, unaltered condition.
Ludwig Ruckdeschel (1907 - 1968), joined SA in 1923, NSDAP member no. 29308, 1933 member of the German Reichstag, joined SS in 1934 (member no. 234190), 1941 SS-Brigadeführer, 1944 SS-Hauptsturmführer of the Reserve and leader of 6th Company/SS-Panzer Rgt. 12 in 12th SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend". August 19, 1944 German Cross in Gold during battles in Normandie, where he lost his right arm.
The so-called Damascus blades feature an intricate weld pattern. Damascus-bladed Honour Swords are extremely rare. They were awarded to a select few by Himmler personally, usually to high-ranking SS leaders, or important businessmen or statesmen who held an honorary SS rank of at least Oberführer. Since they were often given to recipients on their birthday (usually their 50th), they are also known as Birthday Honour Swords. The Damascus blades were forged by mastersmith Paul Müller.
The blade generally features a dedication and the recipient’s name on the obverse. The dedication varies from blade to blade. It is flanked by a swastika on both sides. The reverse always reads “Meine Ehre heißt Treue!” (My Honour is Loyalty!), flanked by SS runes on both sides. The inscriptions are gilded.
The hilt, as well as the scabbard mounts, were cast in “800” silver, and the sword is marked accordingly. The other parts of the sword that, on Officer Swords and NCO Swords, were made from nickel or nickel-silver, were also made from silver on Damascus-Bladed swords, including the SS button, the ferrule, the grip wire, and the back cover strip plate.
The scabbard was made of steel and painted black.
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