Rarity & Values

What drives value, the price guide, and the rarity scale for over 200 makers.

What drives the price

As of late 2024, prices for these daggers continue to rise. Condition always comes first: the blade (cross-grain showing, age greying or spotting, pitting, rust spots), the grip (chips, cracks, fit to the crossguards), a damaged tang nut, matching patina, the scabbard finish, a squashed or split scabbard ball, whether a hanger is present, nickel fittings versus plated RZM, a parts dagger versus an untouched original, unit markings or personalisation — and of course the rarity of the maker.

Location matters too. The USA has a vast number of daggers on the market and tends to set the benchmark. Europe has a large collectors’ market and prices are generally higher. The UK and Australia have far fewer daggers available, so prices are generally higher still. In June 2024 Australia banned the import and export of items bearing the swastika or SS runes, which has only pushed the trade underground and raised prices. Today most sales happen through search engines, social media groups, forums, auction houses, second-hand selling platforms, dealers and private websites.

Price guide

The guide below gives average prices from realised auction sales, dealer websites and similar sources, in US dollars, as of 2025.

Indicative values by type and condition
Type	Bad condition	Fair condition	Excellent condition	Mint / rare
Early / transitional	$400–600	$700–900	$1,000–1,500	$1,500+
RZM	$300–400	$500–700	$800–1,100	$1,200+
Ground Röhm	$700–900	$1,000–1,400	$1,500–1,800	$2,000+
Full Röhm	$2,500–3,500	$4,000–6,000	$7,000–9,000	$10,000+
Chained	$2,000–3,000	$3,000–5,000	$5,000–8,000	$12,000+
High leader	–	–	$30,000–40,000	$50,000+

Indicative values from the book. Market prices change; always verify with recent sales.

Rarity scale by maker

The rarity scale is based on approximate production numbers for early-period daggers and on how often each maker is seen, compiled by the author with the help of fellow collectors. Production figures are estimates.

Find a maker

Rarity

1/5 Common Estimated production 16,000–25,000+

2/5 Uncommon Estimated production 11,000–15,000

3/5 Scarce Estimated production 6,000–10,000

4/5 Rare Estimated production 2,000–5,000

5/5 Very rare Estimated production under 1,000

Daggers of the SA-NSKK 1933–1942, rarity scale tables. Quantities are estimated production totals. Linked names have a maker page on this site.