Introduced in 1933, this political dagger was awarded to all members of the SS.  Although the standard dagger is quite common, it is a highly sought after collectible due to the notariety of the SS.
Manufacturers	This dagger was manufactured by at least 14 firms in order of rarity (common to most rare): Kober, Shuttelhofer, Ed Gumbruch, Bertham Reinh, E.P. & S, Boker, Klass, Eickhorn, Herder, Gottlieb-Hammesfahr, Jacobs, Looper, WKC, Klittermann & Moog, and Puma.  This order of rarity is an estimate derived from an analysis of old dealer sales lists.   The possibility of other makers not listed here exists.
Construction	Early daggers exhibit nickle silver fittings (identified by their dull, matte finish when allowed to age), a rust-blued or "anodized" scabbard that was often coated with a clear topcoat of laqueur.  Later versions exhibit a painted scabbard and plated fittings.   All vintages exhibit an ebony or a black-stained grip, a NAZI eagle (nickle silver on early models, aluminum on some later models), and a circular grip insert depicting silver SS runes.  Blades are marked on the obverse with the SS motto "Meine Ehre Heißt Treue" which roughly translates "My Honor is my Loyalty."
Rarity	Common
Variations	While many manufacturers produced this dagger type, there are very few standard variations that exist.  One notable variation concerns the motto.  Two manufacturers of this dagger pattern used an exclamation point after the motto on the obverse of the blade - Jacobs most often, and extremely rarely, Klittermann & Moog.
Warnings	Many collectors and dealers erroneously call this dagger the "enlisted" model.  This is not correct.  It is simply the early model dagger before Himmler commissioned artist Paul Casberg to redesign the SS dagger (resulting in the Chained version).  Of course, regulations proscribed when an SS man (officer or enlisted) was entitled to upgrade his dagger to the chained version.