Allgemeine SS Officer Sword
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 50.GOR.02.04.02.001.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
An SS Officer's Sword by Clemen & Jung, with silver fittings. This rare presentation sword features an 18 mm wide x 745 mm long nickel-plated steel blade (magnetic), sharp tip, with fullers on both sides and blade spine. The blade itself exhibits beautiful cross graining, with few scratches; common to extraction and return to the scabbard, natural shine, light contact and surface wear, extremely fine. The reverse ricasso is maker marked "CLEMEN & JUNG, SOLINGEN" with the company's "Z" inside a shield surmounted by a stylized crown insignia. The original thick black leather washer with a smooth white upper remains intact. The hilt fittings are fabricated from 800 silver (tested), the D-guard finished with a teardrop design, the underside of the D-guard marked with the SS Kulturzeichen proof, marked with the Reichsmark crescent moon and crown and marked "800" (silver). The lower ferrule features the pleasing six standing oak leaves separated by acorns design, the oak leaves with enhanced veins and the recessed areas of the design with the enriched factory darkening. The ebony painted wooden handle has thirteen individual rows of tightly wound wire grip wrap, the handle free of chips with few areas of paint wear evident. The handle with a runes button, which exhibits good relief to the sigrunnen and incorporates the enriched factory darkening in the background. The reverse of the handle has a wide central spine cover plate running between the upper and lower ferrules. The upper ferrule is built into the D-guard, while the pommel nut has a smooth surface on its top complemented by nicely serrated edges, with contact marks evident on the smooth surface. The sword weighs 469 grams and measures 812 mm in length overall. The accompanying scabbard has its original ebony-painted finish, with the expected minimal contact marks and light chipping from active use and is free of dents, the paint retaining its original luster. The fittings on the scabbard are also 800 silver, the throat plate marked with the SS Kulturzeichen proof, marked with the Reichsmark crescent moon and crown and marked "800" (silver), matching those on the underside of the D-guard on the hilt. The locket is adorned with an intricate pattern, while the chape exhibits recessed decorative rules incorporating the enriched factory darkening, finished with a flattened u-shaped finial. Attached below the locket is a horizontal steel loop with ring, the scabbard measuring 25 mm x 765 mm. Overall, better than extremely fine and rare presentation sword with soild silver fitings.
Between 1933 and 1935, no official SS swords were available. SS Officers and NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) were allowed to wear privately purchased swords during parades and other military events. Since these swords were unofficial and no standardisation had been achieved yet, sword manufacturers offered a multitude of different designs which, additionally, could be personalised upon request.
The swords’ length will vary, as it depended on the owner’s height.
To achieve standardisation, an official SS Officer sword was introduced. The earliest swords were awarded at the Reichsparteitag on September 15, 1935. These swords were designed by artist and SS member Karl Diebitsch.
The Officer’s sword was classified as an Ehrendegen (honour sword). It is unknown what the requirements were to be awarded one, and it may have been simply up to the discretion of SS leader Heinrich Himmler to decide. Certainly only Officers would wear the sword, but many of these would never receive one. Recipients were given a certificate with the sword which was used as the formal authorisation to wear it.
The hilt was cast in solid nickel, and in some cases featured silver plating. Later models had certain parts made from nickel-plated steel instead.
The grip was made from turned wood with 13 ribbed sections. The silver wire in between the sections is made of nickel. In early examples, the SS runes button is positioned below the fifth section, while in later examples it can often be found positioned below the fourth section.
The steel blade is straight and single-edged. It is normally unplated and therefore matte.
The scabbard was made from steel painted black. At the top, there is a silver metal weave pattern portion.
There is a semi-official Officer Candidate sword which looks very similar to the Officer sword, except that it doesn’t feature the SS runes button on the hilt. It is also often personalised, for example with an inscription etched into the blade.
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