Joining the Nazi party in 1919, Ernst Rohm was a co-founder of and eventual chief of the Sturmabteilung (SA), also known as the Stormtroopers or Brown Shirts, who served as the uniformed branch of the NSDAP, providing security for party rallies, engaging in strong arm tactics, and the occasional street fight with rival political militias. In February 1934, Rohm was granted the authority to issue honor daggers to members of the SA who had joined before 1932 and were still active in the organization. June of the same year would see the Night of the Long Knives, Hitler's purge of the SA, initiated both to consolidate his power in the Nazi Party and to maintain the loyalty of the Wehrmacht, which Rohm sought to disband. The purge was followed by a general order to all recipients to either have the inscription removed or destroy the blade and buy a replacement. All existing legible Rohm Honor Daggers are from the limited number of die-hard loyalists who chose to take the risks needed to conceal their unground blades, making surviving examples rare. 13 5/8 inches overall, the blade measures 8 5/8 inches long with the "Alles fur Deutschland" inscription on one side and "In Herzlicher Freundschaft Ernst Rohm" (In Heartfelt Friendship Ernst Rohm) on the reverse leading to the Carl Eickhorn logo. Page 42 of the reference book "Reproduction? Recognition!" by Frederich J. Stephens shows an authentic example of an Eickhorn produced example which is of the same signature characteristics of this example. Standard nickel hilt fittings, with "No" (Nordsee Group) stamped into the guard, and a brown hardwood grip with proper eagle and "SA" medallion inlays. Includes a brown finished, nickel fitted sheath. Provenance: The Paul Crockett Jr. Collection

Very fine overall, with some light spotting on the otherwise very fine blade and mild handling marks overall. The inscriptions on both sides of the blade are strong and sharply detailed.