Degen (SS)

The SS-Ehrendegen, also SS-Degen (officially Ehrendegen Reichsführer-SS[1]), is a straight dress sword that was worn with a German SS uniform from 1935 to 1945. First introduced in 1935, the SS sword was designed by Karl Diebitsch, Heinrich Himmler's personal referent on all art and design within the SS. It was originally manufactured by the Peter Dan. Krebs firm of Solingen, Germany.[2]

SS-Ehrendegen
TypeDress sword
Service history
Used bySchutzstaffel
Production history
Produced1935–1945
Specifications
Blade typeSingle-edged, straight bladed.

The sword has a long thin straight blade produced at different lengths to accommodate for the height of the wearer. The degen features a "D" shaped knuckle-bow (crossguard) as the handle which also features a black ribbed wooden grip. The grip is bound with silver wire and features an inset disc featuring the SS lightning-bolt runes.[2] The scabbard is painted in black enamel and has decorative silvered top (locket) and bottom (chape) mounts. It was worn with an aluminium braid sword knot embellished with the SS runes in black on the stem.[2]

The officer's sword was officially awarded with a hand-signed certificate from Heinrich Himmler to selected officers of the SS-Verfügungstruppe and SS-Totenkopfverbände in recognition of special merit. It was also awarded to officers who graduated from the SS-Junker Schools, the SS officer training camps.[2] The non-commissioned officer (NCO) version is similar to the officer version, but the scabbard has a plain, unadorned chape. The NCO version's handle also lacks the silver wire wrapping and the SS runes are moved from the handle to the pommel cap.[2]

References
  1. Dienstaltersliste der Schutzstaffel der NSDAP, Berlin, 1943, p. 106
  2. Williamson, Gordon, Waffen SS Handbook 1933–1945.
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