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Premium SS Carl Eickhorn award knife. Although opinions differ as to…
See original version (French)
SS Carl Eickhorn award knife. Although opinions differ as to…
See original version (French)
Lot no. 4640
Description
SS Carl Eickhorn award knife. Although opinions differ as to the purpose of these very rare knives, the motto engraved on the obverse of this one's blade seems to leave no room for doubt: we are indeed in the presence of a bladed weapon intended for a member of the Black Order. However, the presence of an HJ emblem on the pommel raises questions. In fact, six variants of this very rare so-called reward knife are known to collectors. Three have the SS motto engraved on the blade, including one variant with the HJ emblem (the one shown here). The HJ emblem has retained its paintwork, despite a few marked traces of oxidation. The push button is fictitious. The reverse of the handle is more affected by corrosion than the obverse, but the handle remains in perfectly acceptable condition given the rarity of the piece. The blade is better protected and in a better state of preservation, and the engraving of the motto is very beautiful. On the reverse, the maker's mark is that used by Carl Eickhorn on his very early weapons and allows the date of issue of this weapon to be dated between 1931, when the SS motto was adopted, and the end of 1933, when the 1933 model service dagger was issued. Some traces of black paint remain on the scabbard, which has obviously been used. The brown leather is in good condition. (See the study of these rare knives on pages 110 to 113 of the reference work L'ordre noir, Armes blanches, traditions et symbolique, published by Heimdal - 2023. SS Award Knife Carl Eickhorn Although opinions differ regarding the use of these extremely rare knives, the motto engraved on the obverse leaves no doubt that it was intended for a member of the Black Order. The presence of a Hitler Youth emblem on the pommel raises questions. Six variants of this rare award knife are known to collectors, three bearing the SS motto on the blade, including one variant with the HJ emblem as seen here. Despite marked oxidation, the HJ emblem retains its paint. The push button is non-functional. The reverse side of the grip shows heavier corrosion than the obverse but remains acceptable given the rarity of the piece. The blade, better protected, is in good condition with a fine motto engraving. The reverse bears the early Carl Eickhorn trademark used on weapons made between 1931 and late 1933, before the introduction of the 1933 service dagger. Some black paint remains on the scabbard, which shows signs of service wear. The brown leather is in good condition. Despite age and wear, this knife remains a piece of great rarity. See the study on pages 110-113 of L'ordre noir, Armes blanches, traditions et symbolique, published by Heimdal in 2023.
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MILITARIA: THE AXIS FORCES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR PART 2
1390 Grez-Doiceau - Belgium
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12/14/2025 : 2:00 PM
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