Degen (SS)

SS-Ehrendegen
Type	Dress sword
Service history
Used by	Schutzstaffel
Production history
Produced	1935–1945
Specifications
Blade type	Single-edged, straight bladed.

The SS-Ehrendegen or SS Honour Sword, also SS-Degen (officially Ehrendegen des Reichsführers SS^[1]), is a straight dress sword that was worn with an SS uniform from 1935 to 1945. First introduced in 1935, the SS sword was designed by Karl Diebitsch, Heinrich Himmler's personal advisor on art and design within the SS. It was originally manufactured by the Peter Dan. Krebs firm of Solingen, Germany.^[2]

The sword has a long thin straight blade produced at different lengths to accommodate the height of the wearer. The Degen's hilt features a D-shaped knuckle-bow (fingerguard) and a black ribbed wooden grip. The grip is bound with silver wire and features an inset disc featuring the SS lightning-bolt runes.^[2] The scabbard is painted in black enamel and has decorative silvered top (locket) and bottom (chape) mounts. It was worn with an aluminium braid sword knot embellished with the SS runes in black on the stem.^[2]