My present understanding is that the codes Whittmann lists on pg 162 with the exception of those in the M7/ series were contract numbers rather than a manufacturer codes. If this is true, I have a 2 part question.
A-Is there conclusive evidence that more than 1 manufacturer participated in filling one of these contracts? If so...
B-Would it not make sense that the template to etch the RZM markings to the blade reverse would vary, so perhaps more than one style of etch may be correct?

Not exactly. The digit combination numbers (eg. 120/34) are contracts with the SS organization and were manufacture codes for the right to produce SS daggers, just as the leather company's codes (eg. 48/34 or 73/34 on vertical hangers).
It appears that the SS had a hold on manufacturing items for their use above the RZM systemfor party organizations.
Strange set up, hey? Kind of elite!
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

The SS began setting up a parallel RZM structure almost from the beginning of Reichsschatzmeister FX Schwarz's Party RZM system in late 1934. By 1935 the SS's economic office was issuing almost entirely their own contract numbers. It was part of their own empire of industry. Schwarz and Himmler were friends and allies, so the Party RZM went along with the separation.

Party RZM daggers post Jan 16, 1935 conform the M7/XX style of marking. SS marks were typically "120/34" style, with the "120" being the manufacturer license number followed by "34" for the year (or 36, 38, etc).

I know of no period list of the SS "RZM" license numbers. RZM M7 dagger license numbers were unique to manufacturers, and there was no "reassigning" within this group. There was a M7h code (Dagger Hilfsbetrieb - Dagger sub-contractors performing specialized work in connection with the manufacture of edged weapons for M7 permit holders), but the mark never appeared on finished daggers.

To add to the confusion, the SS kept using the RZM logo, even though they were outside the actual Party RZM structure.

We certainly do not understand the system fully. The SS codes are a real maze of different types. These are the major groups I have seen:

- 1. Regular codes as uses by the SA, such as M7/2

- 2. Regular codes + year dates, such as M7/72 with 1942 underneath

- 3. RZM circle with one of code / year / SS ligthning bolts underneath , such as 941/36/SS

- 4. Same as 3 but with normal SS, not lightning bolts, such as 1196/38/SS (only known one of this type)

- 5. Same as 3, but with the letters "RZM" before the code, such as RZM 1052/38/SS

- 6. RZM circle, with two lines of code underneath, including both the M7 code and what I think is a contract number, such as M7/37 with 1051/40 SS below.

- 7. RZM circle, one line of code with contract number and the year, then the SS lightning bolts is a circle underneath, read with the dagger pointing down, such as 12/34

- 8. Same as 7, but read with the dagger pointing up, such as 121/38

There are also variances within some of these groups.The most obvious is that the RZM in a circle marks vary greatly. The most curious is two different arrangements for the same code for the same year: You can find 1317 both as style 3 and style 5 mentioned above for the year 1940.

Hi David :
Quite a maze of codes and sub-variations, ..far from being simple and uniform .
Just curious about a few other markings I have pictures of and if they are an actual type by themselves or you would consider are just variants of 1 to 8 mentioned above .

A) a- RZM in circle, next line code/maker/year...like ...RZM - M7/81/40 -but no SS runes
b- RZM in circle, next line code/maker like ...RZM - M7/104 -but no SS runes no year

B) SS runes in circle, next line maker/year and below that RZM in circle ... like -
SS - 807/36 - RZM

C) RZM in large, wide apart rings, and below it in a circular print code/maker ... like -
RZM -curved M7/13 - but no SS runes

D) RZM in circle, next line maker/ year and below that LARGER SS runes in no circle...like -
RZM - 1198/40 -larger SS Runes

E)Transitional RZM / Company Logo Type .... OR 1 type with 2 main variations ?

a- Company logo, next line RZM in circle and below that maker/year and SS runes ... like -
Zwilling - RZM - 15/38 SS
b- RZM in circle, next line maker/year/SS runes and below that company logo ... like -
RZM - 941/37/SS - Eickhorn Sword Logo

Regards, Douglas 5