Discounted to £5500 (was £6750)

By instruction from the consigner

SS presentation dagger to SS officer Zapp

 From the SS Equestrian Head Office 

SS presentation dagger for sale made by Gottlieb Hammersfahr, Solingen. The 1933 pattern, SS presentation dagger, conferred to SS-Obersturmführer Zapp. The  SS dagger with ebony grip, complete with the nickle-silver eagle & swastika and Runes eye. The grip with a good fit to the upper, and lower cross guards. The top screw-in finisher with impressed Runes to the top. The blade with SS motto to the obverse, and the Hammersfahr maker-name and trademark to the reverse.

 The scabbard finished with black grained leather, cut to the upper and lower mounts, in the manner of the full presenation SS/SA daggers. The upper nickle-silver mount bearing the dedication ' SS-Obersturmführer Zapp - Reiterabschnitts VII.' The SS dagger with a silver portepee and original, black-leather, hanging-strap.

 Condition report: The dagger grip free from any unsightly cracks or other damage. Slight enamel loss to the Runes eye. The wrapped silver portopee now heavily distressed. The blade remaining in excellent condition with 99% polish and crossgrain remaining. The scabbard leather free from major blemishes or tears, but showing reasonable wear and use. All the nickle-silver mounts uncleaned and with a darkened patina. The fittings to the leather strap with matching patina. The leather strap showing use, but still supple.

Background to Ewald Zapp: Ewald Zapp was born on July 5th 1897. SS-Obersturmführer Ewald Zapp was commander of SS-Reiterabschnitt West (Düsseldorf) from 1933-1936.  Zapp held SS membership number 107 774, and NSDAP membership number, 3 475 136.

It is thought the SS dagger was completed by members of Reiterabschnitt VII, and conferred, as a presentation dagger to their commander, Ewald Zapp.

Provenance: The SS dagger was purchased from the Zapp family by the German medal & militaria dealer, Detlev Niemann, (early 1990s). Purchased by Ulric of England from Detlev Niemann, (late 1990s) and later sold.  The SS presentation dagger remaining  in a single-owner collection since the late 1990s to date.