Germany, NSKK. A M36 Chained Service Dagger, by Carl Eickhorn

(NSKK Kettendolch M36). A well-preserved Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps (National Socialist Motor Corps/NSKK) M36 Chained Service Dagger, measuring 37.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 22 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is an inscription of “ALLES FÜR DEUTSCHLAND” (“EVERYTHING FOR GERMANY”) in Fraktur script. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The maker’s mark is topped by an additional Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo with a code of “M7/66” for the same manufacturer, with an additional assembly date of “1940”. The blade sits securely within a nickel-plated upper crossguard which is marked with eight notches, distributed in groups of four at both the top and bottom. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of lacquered dark brown wood, carved into a curvature for a comfortable grip. Inset into the obverse of the handle is a silvered German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 25 mm (w) x 15 mm (h). Also inset into the obverse pommel is a partially-silvered Sturmabteilung (SA) logo, measuring 9 mm in diameter. It completes with a nickel-plated lower crossguard, similarly marked with eight notches, held in place by a rounded pommel nut which maintains the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft. Magnetic metal fixtures are riveted to the tip, mid-section, and throat. Emanating from the latter two are integral loops retaining a magnetic metal multi-link chain, with four bearing raised sunwheel-style mobile swastikas, four bearing raised NSKK insignia, and one bearing a raised Thurs rune. Culminating in a functional magnetic metal spring clip for uniform attachment, the chain is stamped on the reverse with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and maker code “M5/8” for F.W. Assmann & Söhne, Lüdenscheid. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Faint running marks are visible to the blade and some scratching is evident to the nickel plating of the hilt fixtures, but this superb transitional dagger remains in an extremely fine condition.