History

The SA (Sturmabteilung, storm detachment) was established in 1921 as a paramilitary protection squad of the NSDAP. The members of the SA were tasked with protecting party leaders at political rallies and meetings from the paramilitary forces of the opposing political factions. The SA was first utilised on November 4, 1921 at a meeting held in Munich’s "Hofbräuhaus" beer hall. The organisation was banned after the failed putsch in 1923 and was reactivated in February 1925.

In 1938, the SA High Leader Honour Dagger was introduced by SA Chief of Staff Viktor Lutze. It was conferred upon a very small number of high ranking SA leaders. The design of the dagger was based upon the SA Honour Dagger, as well as Lutze’s personal dagger, which he commissioned for himself in 1937.

The High Leader Honour Dagger was essentially the same as the Honour Dagger, except it featured an ornate chain hanger. In order to accommodate the chain hanger, a silver-plated fitting with a swivel ring was added to the centre of the scabbard. The swivel ring may attach directly to the centre fitting, or it may attach to an ornate ramp on the fitting. The dagger chain has five upper and seven lower links that are joined together with a fastener that features the SA symbol. The silver-plated links are rectangle-shaped and they are embossed with square-shaped swastikas.

As these daggers were privately-manufactured, design variations may be encountered. Some daggers have a Damascus steel blade that features the SA motto “Alles für Deutschland” (everything for Germany) acid-etched on the obverse, while others have a steel blade that features the motto in raised gold-plated lettering, with a gold-plated oak leaf positioned on each end of the inscription. The reverse of the blade will feature a gold-plated manufacturer’s trademark near the hilt. There are examples of daggers that feature ornate inscriptions on the reverse of the blade. A silver-plated tang nut attaches the blade to the hilt and may be engraved with the owner’s monogram.

The crossguards on both ends of the hilt are silver-plated and engraved with an ornate oak leaf design. The steel scabbard is usually covered in dark brown leather and features silver-plated fittings, which may feature grooves along the interior edge or an oak leaf design. There are examples of scabbards that feature elaborate designs. At times, the upper scabbard fitting was engraved with the owner's name and unit information.

The chain hanger was secured to the wearer’s uniform with a brown leather belt loop.