SS Chained Himmler Dagger

[SkylineDrive]

If this dedication is re etched, than the original temp plate has been used.
Regards Gerd

Gerd... let's assume for a moment that you are right and this is a Himmler blade. What would be your explanation for the district stamp on the crossguard?

[kreta1961]

Mike, regarding the lower guard, i assume that someone restored this dagger.
Not all of these rare daggers are in good condition, as we all know.
When i compare the motto pattern side by side, i don't see any difference.
IMO
Regards Gerd

[SkylineDrive]

Here's my thinking on this... when I look at the grip to lower guard fit, it looks original and unmolested. And with the district stamp "I", it says classic Eickhorn ground Rohm to me. When you look at closeups of the blade it appears to show remnants of crossgrain left from a previous grinding (see the circle in red below). It also shows evidence of either 1) a poor attempt to regrain the blade, or 2) more evidence of grinding (see the arrows in red below). This is why I think it started out as a Rohm dagger.

[kreta1961]

Good Point.
So someone owns the real template

[SkylineDrive]

Well I'm not entirely sure, but I think the template can be made with a laser and the finer points finished by hand before the etching process.

[kreta1961]

i heard, from one of the last blade guys of Solingen, that a person does still these etches with original templates.But not in the City of Solingen.


This would also explain the bunch of Eickhorn full Röhm's.
i always wondered why only so many Eicks full survived and almost in good shape.
Regards Gerd

[Frogprince]

In correspondence with a period blade maker years ago they were kind enough to send me an actual mask that was used in making the etching. For one time use only - they were made usually in batches from a master template with the masks being cleaned up (if needed) on the blades. The latest laser news that I've seen is that instead of laser etching on blades - it's used in making new templates with the new etching masks applied to the blades in the traditional manner. Caveat Emptor. Best Regards, Fred

[kreta1961]

Thanks Fred!
Regards Gerd