Outstanding German SS M36 CHAINED SERVICE DAGGER. (SS-Dienstdolch M36) Brought Home By A U.S. Veteran Certified By The Gettysburg Museum Of History

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Outstanding VERY RARE! German SS M36 CHAINED SERVICE DAGGER. (SS-Dienstdolch M36) Brought Home By A U.S. Veteran Certified By The Gettysburg Museum Of History. The chained M36 service dagger was introduced by Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler on August 25TH 1936 for Old Guard members of the SS consisting of personnel who held Officer’s ranks as of November 9TH 1935, and all other ranks who were SS members prior to January 30TH 1933. Later, wear of the chained M36 service dagger was extended to SS personnel who had a minimum of three years service, beginning in 1933. The M36 service dagger was basically identical to the M33 service dagger but incorporated a new suspension chain. The M36 service dagger, suspension chain was designed by Professor Carl Diebitsch of the Hauptamt Personlicher Stab Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler, (Personal Staff Department of National SS Leader Heinrich Himmler). Originally the suspension chains, (Circa 1936-1937), were produced in solid nickel/silver which was altered to nickel/silver plated steel in 1938. The suspension chains were produced in at least two, slightly different styles with the first pattern featuring a high relief skull, non-bevelled, attachment links and generally the DRGM, marking indicating, Deutsche Reichs Gebrauchs Muster, (German National Registered Design). The second pattern suspension chains had a lower relief skull, more detailed crossbones, bevelled, top connecting links and no DRGM marking. The M36 dagger was a private purchase item and was only obtainable through the SS-Verwaltungsamt, (SS-Administrative Department), in Berlin, later the, SS-Wirtschafts und Verwaltungsamt, (SS-Economic and Administrative Department), also in Berlin, with the appropriate requisition forms being forwarded by the SS-Oberabschnitte Hauptquartier, (SS Districts Headquarters). As a result of the private purchase status the M36 service daggers did not fall under RZM, Reich Zeug Meisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster), controls. The M36 service daggers were also somewhat unique in the fact that they never had any manufacturer’s markings and it is believed that the Carl Eickhorn firm of Solingen was the sole contracted manufacturer. M36 service dagger features a roughly, 8 5/8″, (22 cm), long, double edged, nickel/silver plated, drop forged steel construction blade with a low central ridge and a full length, including the hilt, of roughly, 13 5/8″, (34.7 cm). The nickel/silver plated blade shows light to moderate scabbard runners and some light surface spotting. The obverse of the blade has a nice, well defined, Gothic scripted, acid etched motto, “Meine Ehre Heißt Treue”, (My Honor is Loyalty). The blade has no manufacturer’s markings, as is correct. The dagger comes with a cast, solid, nickel/silver, construction cross guard, pommel and tang nut and a finely grained, carved, ebony grip. The nicely shaped ebony grip has a snug fit to the cross guard and pommel fittings. The grip has a flush, inset, die stamped, nickel/silver plated, national eagle with out-stretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted, swastika in it’s talons and a nickel/silver plated and black enamelled, runic SS button nicely fit in place. The dagger comes complete with a black painted, magnetic, sheet metal scabbard with three, magnetic, nickel/silver plated fittings. The scabbard retains most of its original finish. All three scabbard fittings retain both of their original, matching, small, dome headed retaining screws and the smooth, top fitting has an outwardly flared bottom edge and an integral, upward diagonally angled, chain suspension loop with a central, chain retaining cut-out. The central fitting features an embossed, scalloped lip, to both the top and bottom edges and embossed, stylized, conjoined swastika pattern to the center on a slightly textured, background field. The central fitting also has an integral, upward diagonally angled chain suspension loop with a central, chain retaining cut-out. The smooth, bottom scabbard fitting has an ovoid, ball tip to the bottom edge. The second pattern, non magnetic sheet metal suspension chain features two, six sided, rectangular links, four connecting loops and a cut-out, square link to the top section and four, six sided, rectangular links and five connecting loops to bottom section. The attachment links feature alternating, embossed skulls and crossbones and dual SS runes, with the top section having the skull closest to the cloverleaf and the runes closet to the scabbard while the bottom section is reversed with the dual SS runes closest to the cloverleaf and the skull and crossbones closest to the scabbard. All six links have smooth, raised, outer edges and a slightly textured background field. Both the top and bottom chains connect to a Celtic swirl “cloverleaf” design at the top edge with a soldered friction clip to the reverse. The Celtic cloverleaf has a central recessed line and three of the four circular interiors are cut-out with the top one being solid. The reverse of the second, top chain link, closest to scabbard, is well marked with the shallow, stamped, overlapping SS runes with an octagonal outer border. Still has it’s original leather belt hanger. Shows slight age, use and period wear, but overall OUTSTANDING condition. SS CHAIN DAGGERS ARE VERY RARE AND VERY DESIRABLE Nice period used SS Dagger  captured by a U.S. Veteran  and brought home as a war trophy. Nice used example showing the expected age and wear. 100% Guaranteed to be authentic Brought home by a solider as a trophy of war. A very desirable   an outstanding   example. Don’t miss this one! Complete museum documentation (COA) Provided. Certified by The Gettysburg Museum of History. The Gettysburg Museum of History does not support or condone Adolf Hitler or the Nazi Party and is only offering this as a historic relic. Please see our other items.    Also note when browsing our web site there are several pages of items, at the bottom of the list look for other page numbers.   Don’t miss it! OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE BEST WE HAVE HAD IN A WHILE!