Original or fake? SS dagger RZM M7/36
This is my first thread, so I hope you are not too strict with me. English is not my mother tongue…
I have a few questions about a SS dagger that is to become the property of our community of heirs as part of an inheritance. It was found in a safe. From the sparse tradition of family history, it is known that the deceased’s father was said to have been with the Waffen SS, but I don’t know, if he really was…
Now for the dagger itself:
It looks like a very well preserved SS dagger (probably a newer model from the 1940s) with the RZM identifier M7 / 36 and the clearly recognizable etching "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" on the blade. I didn’t find any punches on the crossguard. The handle is firmly and precisely connected to the knife or the crossguard, the SS pastille and the eagle are just as tight and fit in the designated places. Between the crossguard and the scabbard, a thin bump leather is attached to the blade. The knife sheath is black, slightly mat on one side (probably the front) than on the other. The fittings are each fastened with 2 screws, the handle and fittings seem to be in their original, unopened condition, and the metal plate is also in perfect condition.
Unfortunately, I cannot say anything about the materials used and would be grateful for any reasonable assumption.
I am also not sure about the market or collector value of such daggers. I would therefore also be very indebted to you through a professional assessment.
In the course of the housing dissolution by the community of heirs, I "quickly" took some pictures, after this the dagger was put back in the safe until the authenticity is determined (hopefully by you ;)). Then we will see, what we will do next. I hope the pictures are good enough to form an opinion, but I would also understand if you cannot make an exact assessment with them.
With kind regards and the hope for a meaningful remote diagnosis,
Matt