Heller Gebrüder, Schmalkalden

Heller Gebrüder, Schmalkalden

Gebrüder Heller, also known as Heller Brothers, is a prominent edged weapons manufacturer from Schmalkalden, Thuringia, Germany, near the Blade City of Solingen. The company’s roots trace back to 1583, when the drill maker Jacob Heller was first mentioned. Industrial production began in 1849, founded by Joh. Georg Heller, and was later taken over by his sons, renaming it Gebrüder Heller. The firm was renowned for innovative tools, including the first carbide-tipped single-lip drill (1927), and specialized in edged weapons during the Nazi era. After World War II, the company was nationalized in the Soviet occupation zone, and the owners established new firms in Bremen and later Dinklage. Today, Heller Tools GmbH operates in Dinklage, but without a focus on edged weapons.

During the Nazi era, Gebrüder Heller produced edged weapons for the NSDAP, including SA daggers, NSKK daggers, SS chained daggers [M1936], HJ knives, and SA honor daggers, distributed in the Reichsgaus BO (Bavarian Ostmark), Mi (Central Elbe), and Th (Thuringia). The SA daggers have a rarity rating of 1.5 on a scale of 1 to 5, making them desirable collector items. These daggers often feature the engraving “Alles für Deutschland” on the blade, with nickel-plated handles and detailed emblems, reflecting precise craftsmanship. An example is the SA honor dagger with oak leaf motifs and inscriptions like “Johann Aevers” and the Gau stamp BO, showcasing high quality and individuality. The scabbards often retain their original anodized finish, enhancing their historical value. The company did not use an RZM code but was still a recognized supplier for the NSDAP.

The logo of Gebrüder Heller featured a double circle with the company name and location “Gebrüder Heller Schmalkalden” on the blade, making the products unmistakable. This trademark symbolized the quality and precision of the company’s edged weapons. Gebrüder Heller remains a symbol of Thuringia’s craftsmanship tradition in edged weapon manufacturing.

If you own or know of edged weapons from Gebrüder Heller that are available for sale, we are actively seeking and purchasing such historical pieces. Please contact us for a non-binding offer!