SS Dagger with etched inscription - SS Oberstamfurhrer ADOLF...

Estimate

£3,000 - £5,000

SS Dagger with etched inscription - SS Oberstamfurhrer ADOLF AX, SS Abschnitt XI 1934 to the top metal part of the scabbard, the other (frontside) etched with the scull and cross-bones. The roundel is copper coloured, there is no district stamp to the lower cross guard but a faint Wf stamp to the lower cross guard. The blade has the expected acid etched "Meine Ehre heisst Treue" motif. Leather hanger with RZM stamp.

Please note - Many years ago the vendor purchased this dagger as having been the property of Adolf Ax from a reputable dealer however there is no documentary evidence that comes with it.

ADOLF AX (born 23-06-1906 Hainault, Belgium - died 6th Feb 1983, Wiesbaden, Germany)

Ax joined the NSDAP (Nazi party on the 12th Jan 1930 and the SS on the 29th October 1930. Initially he was an SS-Mann with the SS Standarten & was promoted to SS-Obersturmfuhrer on the 11-09-1933, then became its commander.
He remained in command until 24th April 1934
On the 20th October 1939 with the rising of the SS-VT Armoured Division, Ax was appointed as the first commander of the Panzerabwehr-Abteiling, later the SS Panzer division "Das Reich".
As the commander of SS-Infantry Regiment 11 he was involved in Operation Barbarosa (Invasion of Russia) however Ax suffered nose problems and was sent to a military hospital in Berlin until 3rd November 1942.
He was still in the hospital when he received command of the SS-Panzerjager education department in Hilversum, Holland.
Ax stayed in Holland under the command of the Waffen-SS "Niederlande" commander Carl-Maria Demalhuber who liked Ax & thought him and excellent officer.
On 1st Sept 1943 Ax was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfuhrer & commander of 32 SS-Feiwilligen Grenadier Division "30 Januar".
Ax was relieved of his command by SS-Standartenfurhrer Joachim Richter in March 1945

Please note - you must be at least 18 years old to buy this item