History

The Diplomatic Corps was made up of officials (civil servants) of the Foreign Ministry. This ministry was taken over in 1938 by newly appointed Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop who, for the first time, introduced specific Diplomatic Corps uniforms. Prior to 1938, there had been no defined uniforms for members of the Foreign Office.

Prior to the war, the Foreign Ministry was heavily involved in the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland. During the war, some conquered territory, especially in Poland, was incorporated into the German Reich, while other territory was merely occupied. These countries, while officially still independent, were in reality administered by German officials of the Diplomatic Corps, and in some cases also German-approved puppet governments.

It is important to remember that the officials who served within the borders of the German Reich weren’t of course part of the Foreign Ministry, but rather of the Ministry of the Interior. However, the officials of both these ministries wore nearly identical uniforms.

Officials of the Diplomatic Corps were distinguished by rank as well as their educational level. The latter determined which kind of “Laufbahn” (career) an individual was able to choose. The “Höherer Dienst” (Higher Career) required a university degree, the “Gehobener Dienst” (Elevated Career) required a college degree, the “Mittlerer Dienst” (Middle Career) required a highschool degree, and the “Einfacher Dienst” (Lower Career) required a grade school education, to put it in a simplified way. Additionally, the Higher and Elevated Careers included several different pay groups.

Uniforms for the Diplomatic Corps were first introduced in 1938. They underwent near continuous modification between then and 1943.

The Diplomatic Official’s Sword was first introduced during Hitler’s state visit to Italy in May 1938.

This sword is considered one of the rarest Third Reich swords, and it was only permitted for wear by members of the Reich Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Corps. It was worn as part of the formal evening dress uniform.

The handle of the sword is made up of the pommel, the grip, the knuckle bow, and the crossguard. The pommel has the form of a stylized eagle facing to the viewer’s left. The grip is composed of mother-of-pearl, or imitation mother-of-pearl (celluloid). The crossguard features a right-facing eagle emblem; this feature is important, because it is the only differentiating characteristic between Diplomatic Official’s Swords and Government Official’s Swords. The knuckle bow has a “D” shape and stretches from the mouth of the eagle head pommel to the right crossguard wing/quillon.

The sword’s straight, double-edged blade is composed of nickel-plated steel and features elaborate etched floral designs, and a fuller, on the obverse and reverse surfaces. The obverse blade also features the etched image of the national eagle emblem, while the reverse ricasso displays the manufacturer mark/logo.

The scabbard is made from leather and has two silvered fittings, one at the scabbard throat (throat piece/locket) and the other at the bottom (toe piece/chape). The throat piece is plain except for the downward pointing oak leaf catch in the centre for the hanger and the “M” design along its bottom edge. The toe piece has the same “M” design along its top edge.

The portapee/sword knot is generally made from metallic silver-coloured (aluminum) bullion wire.