VICTOR LUTZE INSCRIBED 1934 TRANSITION SA HONOR DAGGER

As a necessary first step in this process, one of the very first actions taken by Stabschef Lutze after assuming command was to issue an order on 4 July 1934 prohibiting any further wear of the 1933 Rohm Honor Dagger by SA personnel of all ranks.

In further explanation of this issue, as the conflict between the SA and the Army for control of Germany's military future intensified after the appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor on 30 January 1933, the senior leadership of both groups actively attempted to insure the dedicated and loyal support of their subordinates.

For his part, former SA Stabschef Ernst Rohm aggressively pursued this task on a personal level by undertaking several national tours of SA units during the period February 1933 through March 1934. As an integral element of these visits, Rohm consistently utilized the opportunity to award long service honor daggers to eligible SA personnel of all ranks, which had the intended goal of helping assure the recipient's personal loyalty to him.

For reference, the criteria established for award of the 1933 pattern SA Honor Dagger by Rohm required the recipient to have been a member in good standing of the SA, and/or the SS which was still a subordinate part of the SA at this point, prior to 31 December 1931. Moreover, the recipient had to have retained his membership in good standing, without interruption in service, through 30 January 1933, on which date Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany.

LEFT is a partial photo of the reverse blade side of this 1934 SA Honor Dagger. Clearly demonstrated by this photo, is the respective placement of the RZM and maker mark stamps in relation to the script dedication authorized by SA Stabschef Lutze. This photo also demonstrates the tight fit of the blade into the dagger's handle, as well as the excellent condition of the wood in its grip and its nickel silver cross guards. BELOW UPPER LEFT is an extreme enlargement of the dagger's RZM and Maker's Mark stamps. BELOW LOWER LEFT is an enlargement of the "Mi" SA Group mark located in the middle of the dagger's lower cross guard. BELOW RIGHT is an enlarged photo of Viktor Lutze's signature, as well as the "fur kameradschaft" portion of the dedication.