Alan, not much changed between pre- and postwar europe in that respect.
A gun was a gun, not a badge of rank. The carrying of swords and daggers was (and still is) done on special occassions, as part of a dress uniform.
There were a couple of guys, including Goering, who suffered from a chronical overdress condition. They were looked upon as a bunch of pimps and drag queens by their direct contacts.
If you take a look ad period photographs and fim footage, you will notice, that expecially on official occassions, no higher ranking officials are carrying a gun in public or during leasurely meetings. Only on official portraits and during duty you will see them with holsters/guns.
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