| DESCRIPTION: First of all, the dagger is probably the finest one we have ever featured of this type and it is a type I where the “DRGM” shows through the “Wotan Knot,” or cloverleaf snap clip hanging device. This type I chain assembly has the octagonal links that are die struck and this resulted in absolutely outstanding detail to the depictions of skulls and runics. It has nickel-plated steel links, of course. The very fine pebbling to the links is also very noticeable. The Kulturzeichen which is an SS proof stamp seen on the reverse of the upper runic link. This is deeply stamped on type ones! You can also notice the finely shaped very strong connector links used on type ones and unlike type two’s this one has perfectly straight edges that secure it to the cloverleaf assembly. The condition in general of this dagger is excellent-plus. Not even the smallest fault is evident. The end is in perfect shape and the wood fits perfectly to the metal; remarkably with no gap whatsoever. The metal matches from grip fittings to scabbard fittings. Anodized scabbard finish with minute almost microscopic scratches are at the back-bottom section (you would have to look very closely to see them). The blade is just about as perfect as they ever come with only the marks of going in and out of the scabbard. The “Meine Ehre heist Treue” is fine with all the original frosting intact. The top runic button on the grip is in the copper color as is often the case according to Thomas Wittman in his book Exploring the Dress Daggers and Swords of the German SS. He shows a type-II dagger on page 155 where both the runic button and the eagle are in the copper color and we have another dagger on our pages with both pieces in copper color. Also note on page 157 Wittman shows at the top of the page another with copper-color eagle and runic on the right of the picture, but he says under close inspection of the grip eagle there are indications of nickel plating in the recesses of the insignia; so it really comes down to preference in the end. NOW! Besides being the nearly perfect 1936 Mod dagger, HERE is the most important part of this offering. Under the cross guard of this dagger is an membership number 25884. This is the number for -Sturmbannführer (major) Arnold Jürgensen, who was enlisted in the elite Adolf Hitler Leibstandarte. A man who went up the ranks to being the commander of the first detachment of the 12th Panzer Regiment, 12 -Panzer Division “Hitlerjugend” of the First -Panzer Corps of the Army Group “B” on the Western front. He won the Iron Cross II in 1939, the I.C. I in 1940, the Deutsches Kreuz in 1943, and finally the coveted Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross in 1944. In December 1944, he fell for the Fatherland fighting the uninvited invaders in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). He was a holder of the Honor Sword and the Ehrenring. He became a Sturmbannführer on 9/11/43. Amazingly we obtained an original binder of a lot of his personal papers (originals). It has two sheets in the front that are copies of his complete military history and the rest of the bound papers have to do with his training sessions at the Berlin Lichterfelde HQ of the Leibstandarte- Adolf Hitler. His insurance policy is made out to him as Obersturmführer in 1938. He was insured with the Deutsche Bermten Versicherung, the German officials’ insurance. All the policies show him as residing at the Berlin Lichterfelde barracks in Berlin. Even his automobile insurance policy is here along with a permit from the police. After this there are numerous bills for clothing and washing uniform accessories, and bills for books, hotel receipts, receipts for Christmas gifts such as a picture frame. He must have been an amateur radio buff because there are many receipts for radio parts and service. One of the more interesting receipts is one for a shirt and a polo sweater from a firm in Berchtesgaden and it is made out to him and gives his address as “Obersalzberg.” To me this means that he was stationed in July 1937 at the compound that housed the personal guards for the Führer Adolf Hitler. The folder is a Leitz 2 ring binder with the imprint Leibstandarte- Adolf Hitler on its spine. This is a great personal item with great original documents and papers. The people that we bought it from kept only the originals of the man’s history, but true copies are with it. The binder measures 11 1/2 x 13 inches and is 2 1/2 inches thick. NEXT, after buying the dagger and binder we then had Jürgensen completely researched by a leading researcher who went to U.S. archives and came up with one of the largest files we have yet seen concerning the career of this brave officer. Besides gaining actual pictures of the Sturmbannführer (one with his Knight’s Cross) we picked up literally a great pile of documents. Included is the Dienstalterliste where officers who made Sturmbannführer and even Hauptsturmführer or other higher grades were listed. This shows the man’s name, date of birth, service, NS Party number, his membership number, his rank at the time, and when promoted to this rank. Arnold Jürgensen was born 17.5.1910. His party no. was 585 285. Note low number, early joiner. His number was 25884—the number stamped under the cross guard on the dagger. The papers go on and on with enrollment papers, service records, various stationing, rank promotions, where born (Pahlen), character, analysis, proof of Nordic race, the fact that he was an Alte Kampfer (early party member). A copy of an assessment of sterling character signed by Sepp Dietrich, -Obergruppenführer and Kommandeur der L. SS A.H. Page after page praising the loyalty and discipline of this noble officer. He is a graduate of the -Junkerschule. His served in the western campaign, the march into Austria, Böhmen-Mahren, and the field campaign in Poland, the Balkans, Russia. He won along with his other medals the King of Bulgaria’s Order Fourth Class, the German Eastern Front Medal, and the Infantry Assault Badge. There are questionnaires that ask many personal questions. He filled them out in 1937. A recommendation for him to receive the German Cross in gold and of course he did receive it. The same for the Ritterkreuz (Knight’s Cross) and he won that as well. The recommendations give all the details of how he earned it. There is a sad note referring to his death from the office of the Reichsführer- Himmler dated 27 Jan 1945, and several other references to this tragic event. Further papers in the group have to do with why he was chosen as the commander of the 12th Panzer Division “Hitlerjugend.” There are quite a few references and full documentation as to this command and just reams of documents more all pointing to a brave soldier of the Reich and a natural leader of men; a Teutonic warrior chief who was a favorite of “Unser Sepp” himself. There are documents from the Race and Settlement file concerning the pure Aryan lineage and a very good explanation of the intensive investigations by this office whose responsibilities included safeguarding the racial purity of the . Jürgensen had to go through this like every other officer candidate and of course he passed with “flying colors.” Another thing that is there is his NSDAP registration card (copy) number 585285. There are about 7 pictures of him in the files plus a picture of his then fiancé whose name is Lieselotte Freiberg. This was submitted to the Race and Settlement Office for the marriage permission. Throughout the research collection are various charts and explanations of ranks, organizations such as the RUSA, etc, and an explanation of the records in the national archives. This accumulation referring to this war hero is nearly 2 inches thick and it is a masterful job of research. Now we have one of the finest 1936 model officer’s dagger probably ever found and a group of original documents in an original binder from the LS SS AH and a group of intensive research to boot. Show us a better one than this. Here is a dagger for the genuine historian; the collector who looks beyond what would be just a dagger. Well! It happens to be a super dagger, but even more importantly it is one dagger that managed to talk! We often say if only that piece could talk! Well, here is one that does! This is it (the ultimate NS-SS dagger.) Are you ready for it?
PRICE: SOLD
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