Late-War NSKK Dagger - Friedrich Herder

Description

11/3/26 - This is a later-production German NSKK dagger manufactured by Friedrich Herder A.S. of Solingen, with an RZM M7/49-marked blade, black scabbard, and leather hanger. The blade is in excellent condition with most of its facotry cross-graining still visible, along with crisply etched "Alles fur Deutschland" motto and sharply defined RZM maker code. There are typical runners marks, scattered areas of very light freckling, and a few patches of darker surface oxidation concentrated along the upper bevel and toward the tip. The reverse has additional surface scratches and spotting, particularly near the crossguard and along the blade's outer half. The dark brown wooden grip retains its SA roundel and national eagle, showing scattered fine scratches and small abrasions around the central contours and eagle, along with a fine hairline crack extending below the SA roundel, with a tiny chip at the base of the wood on the opposite side. The cross guards have light scratches, scattered discoloration, and uneven toning, but are still in very good shape. The black scabbard exhibits substantial paint loss across the center of one face, exposing a large irregular gray-brown area, while the opposite face has widespread reddish-brown freckling, and scattered finish loss. The plated throat and lower fittings are in much better condition, with scattered freckles. The unmarked leather hanger is in excellent condition, with an additional attached belt loop which is likely a reproduction. Note, there is some mild wiggle between the blade and cross guard, likely from disassembly, but the fit looks perfect and it would likely tighten up easily.