SS Officer degen

**vibmon** · 06-23-2020, 04:14 PM

I'm looking at a few of these, and here's one from TW's site that looks right. It's described as initial production with hilt and pommel of solid nickel. The quillon runes seems to be rubbed out (maybe from wear?), throat runes appears double stamped, and scabbard lower drag looks pretty beat compared to the sword. Otherwise it looks like a nice piece..I'd be grateful for any comments!

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 06-23-2020 04:14 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Larry C** · 06-23-2020, 04:43 PM

I see no glaring issues that stands out and appears as is described.
Are you looking to purchase this sword VB ?

Regards Larry

**vibmon** · 06-23-2020, 08:10 PM

Hi Larry--yes I'm considering a purchase; also looking at a few others but this one is really sharp. He has a couple others in the same price range. I'd be easy to talk out of it if an unwise move. Thanks for looking!

**JRMeda** · 06-24-2020, 03:09 PM

Atypical SS grip runes.

**Anderson** · 06-25-2020, 12:12 AM

What would bother me is around the grip disc (4th photo down) there is a straight cut mark in the grip suggesting it made to prepare the grip to take the disc. But much to sloppy fitting for a Solingen craftsman. Funny thing is go to Tom's website and a close up photo for grip shows the cut mysteriously has gone.... now you see it, now you don't.

**Frogprince** · 06-25-2020, 06:37 AM

by Anderson

What would bother me is around the grip disc (4th photo down) there is a straight cut mark in the grip suggesting it made to prepare the grip to take the disc. But much to sloppy fitting for a Solingen craftsman. Funny thing is go to Tom's website and a close up photo for grip shows the cut mysteriously has gone.... now you see it, now you don't.

Excellent observation.

And that is not the only difference between the pictures. One image shows the grip wire buried underneath the grip emblem - whereas the other shows the grip wire bowed upwards around the top of the emblem. (PS: And some of the grip wire looks not that tightly wrapped.) Best Regards, Fred

**gerrit** · 06-25-2020, 07:38 AM

It is not only a repro disk, it also not set in the proper possition.
This one is set like a runesbutton for the SS M1933 dagger

it should be straight instead of the 7pm position.

Ger

**vibmon** · 06-25-2020, 12:02 PM

Thanks to all for your great observations and pertinent feedback, this hobby is definitely a mine field!

**Frogprince** · 06-25-2020, 09:16 PM

Good observations by Ger, there is more wrong with this sword and that area in general (SS swords and sabers). The good news is that - instead of trading roughly $ 7500 for some headaches is that you brought it to the forum for vetting. Which can be very troublesome with some dealers, and it's your word versus theirs on whether or not an item is a period original instead of a parts piece "humper". Best Regards, Fred

**Anderson** · 06-25-2020, 10:36 PM

Yes, good point from Ger, just more evidence of post war meddling. There is a suggestion from the photo I posted that someone has recently tried to disguise the cuts with filler. If so, and it's not a "trick of the light" tell me why would they do that?

This photo below was posted some time ago on another thread, but worth re-posting as it is from a 1938 publication and confirms what Ger has pointed out with regard orientation of the rune disc.