Produced without externally visible maker's marks, this sword has been attributed to the Dachau forge of bladesmith Paul Mueller. Originally a Damascus smith operating out Solingen, Mueller was recruited by the SS in 1938 to establish a forge at Dachau, with two goals in mind; the first being to secure Mueller's output for the exclusive use of Himmler and the SS, with a particular emphasis on Damascus presentation pieces, the second was to train a new generation of bladesmiths, specifically SS men, in the classic German styles. While Muller had several promising students, as the War ground on his apprentices were ordered to put down their hammers and tongs and get back to their rifles, and the forge itself was effectively shut down in 1943. The sword measures 38 inches overall, with a 32 3/4 inch single fuller blade, nickel finished guard, wire wrapped ebony grip and a black painted scabbard with nickel fittings.

Very good. The blade shows some mild handling and polishing marks, with a small amount of flaking on the hilt and light handling marks overall. The scabbard has been repainted.