Field Upgrade Chained NSKK Dagger by Haenel

We have here an impressive example NSKK Officer’s Dagger with field upgraded chain assembly with several interesting attributes.

Starting with the dagger itself, we see a very well preserved Haenel SA dagger with a bold and crisp motto on the front, and “C. G. Haenel” makers mark on the reverse. The grip on this dagger is a real treat to look at, with very nice solid nickel guards and eagle, and the very unique walnut woodgrain grip that collectors love! The eagle shows some wear under magnification, including wear to the head, breast, feet and wreath, but certainly typical for a dagger of the WW2 era. The SA roundel is 100%, showing the normal build-up that we like to see along the lower 3rd between the edge of the roundel and the wood that it sets into. The pommel nut and top of the upper guard show no signs at all of plier marks or swirl marks from having been removed. A very nice, clean, unmessed with grip!

The blade is just as nice as the grip! NSKK daggers (and SA daggers for that matter) are tough to find these days without a decent amount of surface oxidation (spotting), or other major blemishes. That’s certainly not the case here. This blade is rated near mint, with only a couple of notable marks that are not related to typical scabbard rash. Both the motto and the maker’s mark are a nice deep gray tone; very pleasing indeed! The cross grain is prominent throughout, and the tip shows absolutely no signs of blunting.

Now onto the scabbard and chain. The scabbard chain is a field upgrade, which was allowed if the NSKK officer chose to keep their original dagger and just add the chain. We’ve seen quite a few variations on these chain upgrades; some with 4 links on one side and 5 on the other, and some with only 3 links on one side, 5 on the other. This version (as you can clearly see in the photos) is the 4 and 5 link version, which is less typical for a field upgrade, but more typical in general and less questionable in terms of whether or not a link was simply lost or removed post war. All links in the chain show the same level of age and wear, which also match the clasp and the center band. The expected RZM 5/8 stamp is shown on the reverse of the link closest to the clasp on the side with 5 chain links, while the link closest to the scabbard on the lower chain shows the expected “Musterchutz NSKK Korpsführung” stamp. The chain link plating on the front side is an impressive 90% – 95%, while the reverse has about 50% remaining. The clasp spring is nice and firm, with only a very slight closing (bend) to the hook that we sometimes see with this type of clasp. There is more then enough room when the spring is pushed inward to insert over the standard belt loop.

What is interesting about the center band is that the original factory retention screw hole is present on the side opposite the chain receiver loop, but the original officer chose not to have the receiving hole drilled into his scabbard as there is no hole present. This is likely because once the band was moved into place it stayed firmly on its own, without the need for the addition of a screw (this is only theory mind you). Friction alone keeps the band firmly in place and will not budge without a careful tap using a tool. We did move the band out of place only to confirm it had not been glued. With the band moved away we see the same original period applied black paint (although slightly discolored from age) that flows smoothly beneath it and was without a doubt applied before the band was added.

The scabbard body paint is a typical period applied semi-gloss black that flows evenly throughout the scabbard body (including beneath the fittings). Aside from the normal use scratches and minor chips (mainly along the thin edges, which is typical), the paint it 95%. The tip fitting shows some the most wear, with a couple small dings along one of the two broad sides and the typical impact ding to the tip ball that we see so often with these. All fitting screws are securely in place (aside from the center band screw, which was mentioned earlier in this description).

For the price, everything that this dagger has to offer cannot be beat! Don’t second guess yourself, if you wait this one will end up in someone else’s collection.