The company Herder & Sohn, Stahlwarenfabrik was established in 1923 in Solingen. Boasting a long history in steelware craftsmanship, the firm expanded its manufacturing scope during the Third Reich era to include contract production of political edged weapons, with a primary focus on SA service daggers (Sturmabteilung). Situated in Solingen, the manufacturer operated in the absolute center of German blade craft.
Herder & Sohn manufactured an estimated total of approximately 1,000 SA service daggers. This production volume grants these historical pieces a 4.5/5 rarity rating (highly rare) among military antiques collectors. These daggers feature solid nickel-silver fittings and bear the iconic etched blade motto "Alles für Deutschland".
The highly distinctive trademark of Herder & Sohn features the figure of Diogenes holding a lantern. This unique and symbolic maker mark, typically etched directly onto the blade, serves as a hallmark of tradition and quality. Today, surviving products from this maker represent a cornerstone collectible within Solingen blade industry history, making them excellent reference examples for a comprehensive blank weapons encyclopedia.
