Uncleaned 1936 Chained SS Dagger. No maker. This early example was recently obtained from the estate of WWII veteran Glynn E. Moore, 693rd Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer, Truck-Drawn). The battalion fought through Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe and was located in Salzburg, Austria in August 1945. Mr. Moore indicated to family members that this dagger was obtained in the vicinity of Berchtesgaden in southern Germany. As stated on pages 28 - 31 of Collecting the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich, Volume V, 1936 Chained SS daggers produced during the 1936-1937 period can be found with a combination of nickel-silver & plated fittings, anodized & painted scabbards, and Type I & Type II chain hangers. This example exhibits some of the above variations. Nickel-silver crossguards show minor surface wear with uncleaned, greenish age residue/patina throughout, but none of the darkening/lifting often seen on the plated-over-steel pommel nut. The reverse lower crossguard is stamped with the SA Gau mark, "Nm"(Nordmark). As stated on page 121 of Exploring The Dress Daggers and Swords of the German SS by Thomas T. Wittmann, …"Model 1936 daggers having Gau-marked lower crossguards may be attributed to the use of stock of accumulated Röhm SA daggers previously returned to the factory. …Whatever the true reason for this anomaly, the Gau-marked examples are absolutely correct and unaltered." Such is the case with this dagger. Black Ebony grip shows light surface wear with minor chipping to the upper obverse and lower reverse grip adjacent to crossguard, but no cracks or gauges. The silver grip eagle, with greenish age residue/patina, and SS insert are properly inset. Mirror polished blade grades Exc++ showing minor runner marks and some specks of gray shadowing on obverse and reverse, but no pitting or nicks to cutting edges. Deeply etched motto retains 100% of the light gray background frosting. Dent-free scabbard retains virtually 100% of the black anodization and factory lacquer with no crazing or lifting to finish. Dent-free, nickel-plated upper, center, and lower scabbard fittings show virtually no age or wear and are complete with undamaged screws. Center scabbard band is retained by two screws as normally seen on anodized scabbards. Nickel-plated Type II chain hanger shows only minor age with no speckling, and is properly SS proofed and features the non-cutout cloverleaf and beveled upper connectors. The chain links retain 100% of the factory Frosting. Exceptionally nice, veteran estate acquired example! Exc++/Near MINT (24528) $15,500.