The daggers were given out at an awarding ceremony that took place on 9 November, the official founding date of the SS, which was conducted according to strict rules developed by Heinrich Himmler.
The official motto of the SS Meine Ehre heißt Treue ("My honour is loyalty") was etched along the longer axis of the blade.
[1] On 21 June 1936, another variant of the dagger was introduced, which was awarded only to Alter Kämpfer — officers who had joined the SS before the Nazis came to power in 1933.
For these occasions, the dagger was fitted with a tassel and sword knot made of aluminium lace, similar to one used by Wehrmacht officers.
An SA-Dienstdolch (SA service dagger) of similar appearance and design existed for the Sturmabteilung (the Nazi Party's original paramilitary wing) members.