Knecht E. & Co., Solingen

Knecht E. & Co., Solingen

The Ernst Knecht & Co., Stahlwarenfabrik, was founded in 1905 in Solingen and registered on September 26, 1906. The company initially produced steel goods and expanded during the Nazi era to include edged weapons such as SA, SS, and HJ daggers. In 1935, it received the RZM code M7/11, assigned for the production of political daggers. The location in Solingen underscores the region's tradition as a center for blade production in Germany.

The firm specialized in SA service daggers (Sturmabteilung), produced in an estimated quantity of about 1,000 pieces. These daggers are rated with a rarity of 3.5/5 as moderately rare and often feature Gau markings such as "Nm" (Nordmark), "Nrh" (Niederrhein), and "Wm" (Westmark). They bear the motto "Alles für Deutschland" and have nickel-silver fittings. Additionally, Ernst Knecht & Co. produced SS service daggers and HJ daggers with the motto "Blut und Ehre!", often as transitional models with both maker logo and RZM marking.

The logo of Ernst Knecht & Co. consisted of a stylized double deer head, etched as a trademark on the blades. This mark symbolized craftsmanship and made the products easily recognizable in the collector's scene, often combined with the text "E. Knecht & Co. Solingen".

Today, the products of Ernst Knecht & Co. represent a rare chapter in the Solingen manufacturer history of the edged weapons industry. The limited production and RZM code make them an important example of the Nazi era, ideal for an encyclopedia on Solingen manufacturers. We are interested in purchasing products from this manufacturer.