August 18 & 19, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/19/2020
Early "partial Rohm" SA dagger with an unmarked blade which has been heavily polished, as no cross graining is present, and both the standard SA motto and Rohm inscription are faint. Heavy freckling covers the blade, and the tip is damaged. Blade turns slightly in its fittings. Solid nickel fittings have a uniform moderate age patina, scattered marks, blemishes, and the cross guard has the SA District marking of "Wf" (Westfalen). Rosewood grip is dry with light dings and scratches. While the SA eagle is original to the grip, it has been smashed hard in the center, causing it to be more deeply impressed and forcing the wings tips to pop out. SA emblem has always been hit causing 85% of its enamel to crack off. Anodized scabbard retains 25-30% of its thinning original brown finish, with freckling, some of it heavy, over the entire surface. Scabbard has been heavily smashed in its center, which has flattened part of it and turned the ends up. Blade will still fit in the scabbard. Plated nickel steel fittings have a nice age patina throughout, with a couple of light scrapes and tiny dings near the tip. Correct hangar is attached. CONDITION: Overall fair to good. WZ
CORRECTION: The provenance included with this lot is a letter that was given to the consigner by the veteran that brought this dagger home from World War II. A picture of the letter is included in the sale. The letter is dated 3/26/80 and reads: "Dear Pete: I was with company A of the 78th armd. med. Bn." (78th Armored Medical Battalion). "as I remember we were in action around [illegible] (possibly Nennig or Hemmingen) Germany giving support to combat company A of the 7th armored infantry battalion. It was there we were picking up the wounded to send back to the aid station where I came across the officer's dagger which I found laying on the ground next to a body. I don't know if some else had it + (and) lost it or how it got there so I picked it up as a souvenir + (and) kept it with me until I returned to the states in 1946 + (and) had it in a locker all these years. Frank Rossi". Photo added.
Item Dimensions: Length: 13 - 1/4".