NPEA Graduation Student Dagger [M1935] "P" by Karl Burgsmüller Berlin

The NPEA service dagger of the 1935 pattern belongs among the distinctive edged weapons of the school and pre-military organizational sphere of the Third Reich. It was intended for students or course participants of the National Political Educational Institutes and differs in several details from other contemporary service daggers.

Particularly characteristic is the motto “Mehr sein als scheinen”, regarded as the typical motto of these daggers. In addition, there are school- or institute-related markings on the crossguard. The marking “P 207” present here is associated with Potsdam and gives the dagger a more specific organizational attribution.

Also of collector interest is the blade marking “Karl Burgsmüller, Berlin”, which is to be understood as a distribution / retail marking rather than the actual maker’s mark. Such distinctions between manufacturer and distributor markings make NPEA daggers appealing from a technical and specialist perspective as well.

Well-preserved examples with clear motto, distinct school marking, intact scabbard and accompanying belt frog are especially sought-after by collectors, as they clearly preserve the characteristic method of wear and appearance of these comparatively scarce organizational daggers.