Auction History
| Auction started |
Starting bid: $ 7,195
Auction ends: August 4, 2026 2:00 PM
The blade bears the motto “Mehr sein als scheinen” (“To be better than to seem”), as well as the manufacturer’s mark with the inscription “Karl Burgsmüller Berlin-Charlottenburg 5.” The dagger for students of Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalten (NPEA, also known as Napola) was introduced in 1935 for pupils of national political educational institutions. These schools were established in Germany beginning in 1933 and were intended to train future cadres for state, military, and party apparatus. The daggers were supplied to educational institutions centrally and issued to students to be worn with their uniforms.
The Berlin firm Karl Burgsmüller was an official supplier of edged weapons for NPEA schools and was associated with the centralized supply of regulation weapons to these institutions. Production of individual components may have been carried out by other Solingen enterprises, while Burgsmüller served as the official supplier. Due to this supply system, the name Karl Burgsmüller is firmly associated primarily with NPEA daggers and represents one of the most characteristic markings found on original specimens.
The impeccable preservation of this specimen allows it to be classified in the highest condition category of Mint, which is exceptionally rare for German edged weapons from the period prior to 1945. The dagger has retained its original factory blade polish, intact nickel plating, and pristine appearance of the grip and scabbard without wear marks, scratches, or traces of corrosion. The absence of signs of use, improper storage, or restoration determines the maximum collectible value of this item.