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Miniature examples of most edged weapons were produced to be used as letter openers or desk ornaments. Frequently they are referred to as half-size or three quarter-size examples. The larger size examples are generally of higher quality. Many manufacturers purchased miniature weapons and had their name or name of their product etched on the blade. The miniature was then given to customers as gifts. Since miniatures were of a paramilitary nature they were not subject to the controls of their large counterparts. Frequently, miniatures will be encountered with so-called manufacture "artist license".

 MINI -002 - #28080 3/4 SIZE RAD OFFICER - Alcoso

 This 3/4 size Alcoso miniature is very much in demand and is a very rare type. It measures about 8 inches in length. All fittings are a fine silver plate over heavy base metal. The design absolutely emulates all of the details of the full size officer’s model. The noble pommel/head features an eagle looking to the viewer’s left. All details are visible to the eye, beak and brow. Additionally, the bird has the accent cuts in the back of his neck going downward. The ferrule is the same as the large example, having the swirl designs positioned on a 45° angle. The cross guard features the swirled quillon ends and on the obverse, there is the insignia of the RAD. It consists of a spade positioned between two wheat shafts. The shovel has a lined surface and there is a mobile swastika positioned in the center. Much of the detail here is rendered by hand. All of the silvering is intact across this beautiful hilt. The grip plates are also a real treat to the collector’s eye. These grip plates are in absolutely perfect condition and they have turned to a golden orange color. There are some hints of swirls in the surfaces. These plates are as pretty as I have ever seen them. Most likely, when the miniature was new the plates were white, so, time and light have done us a favor here. The scabbard is also identical to the large counterpart. It features a panel at the lower area having good pebbling. Above the panel is the complicated RAD swirl design having lined centers to give relief to the depiction. The motif is positioned above two wheat shafts which are on a 45° angle. They do not touch each other. These same wheat shafts appear on the lower chape area. On the large size RAD officers, the reverse of the scabbard only has the pebbled panel design. On the miniature though, the swirls and the wheat shafts are depicted just like the obverse. I will bet a lot of you miniature collectors may never have noticed this! The choice blade of this example is about 5¼ inches in length. It is in the shape of a bowie design having a narrow fuller at the upper area. Below the fuller is the etched slogan of the RAD “Arbeit Adelt”. The etching is done in gothic letters and it has all of its dark black background. This choice blade reflects 100% of its original nickel plated surfaces and other than just a little bit of age around the ricasso areas, the blade is still in mint condition. The reverse ricasso has the 1937-39 trademark of the producer, featuring a set of scales having the letters “acs” interspersed. Above the scales is the firm’s name in block letters positioned in an arch “ALCOSO”. Below is the town of manufacturer “Solingen”. An absolute must here for miniature collectors and for those having a large RAD officer counterpart, these ¾ size miniatures really display well next to one of them. A great miniature here!

Excellent Plus, Plus. $2,895.00

 MINI -003 - #28115C IMPERIAL MINATURE OF BISMARCK SWORD

 This Imperial miniature is quite large, measuring about 12 inches overall. These miniatures were produced emulating the design of the honor sword which was made for Bismarck and presented by Kaiser Wilhelm in 1895. The sword displays Bismarck’s crown as a Fürst which was a rank of prince, given by the Emperor. The crown is of unique design and is recognizable by those who affiliated with Bismarck. Below the pommel area is also a Bismarck crest consisting of a shield with leaves contained within. The sword has a basket style hilt which is pierced and portrays a winged, helmeted angel placing an Imperial crown over a Prussian eagle. Quite a majestic design here, and one can just imagine what the original sword must have looking like. The grip of this example is also made of brass, as are all of the hilt pieces. Most likely, it was a single casting and then hand-enhanced. But the grip portrays rows of oak leaves and has paint residue of black in between. Most of the designs on this beautiful hilt are still fairly crisp and all there. The scabbard is a nickel type which has excellent nickel plating, still being at 100%. The nickel shell is fitted with beautiful brass upper, center and lower mounts. The two upper mounts have simulated carrying rings and the lower mount is in the form of a fine chape fitting. The blade of this example is nickel plated and etched on both sides. It measures 9 inches overall. The etching is basically a poem style which praises the abilities of the weapon makers of Solingen and at the same time tells what a beautiful land the area is. It welcomes the purchaser to the area. The double panels, though, have a gilt in the background and all letters are raised out. I have only summarized the basic meaning of these dedications. The next purchaser may want to carefully translate this dedication. A fine item here and most likely these swords were sold in period gift shops to rich tourists visiting Europe in the turn of the century days. This will make a great letter opener on your desk.

Excellent Plus. $495.00

 MINI -004 - #28116C IMPERIAL MINATURE OF KAISER HONOR SWORD - WKC

 This fine Imperial miniature is about 12 inches in length. The hilt is produced of one piece cast brass but is all hand-rendered as to the details. The sword is a replica of the honor piece made for Kaiser Wilhelm at about the turn of the last century. The sword depicts a Model 89 style hilt having a fine fluted edged pommel. Downward from the pommel area, there is some sort of a family crest. The grip is simulated to be a shark skin covered type having some style of brass laurel leaf overlay decoration. The cross guard is a basket hilt which has a fine rendering of an angel-like German warrior with sword. There is fine detail evident throughout this hilt depiction. The scabbard is a straight metal shell having nickel plated surfaces. There are four mounts on this shell, being a throat, two bands and a lower chape. The bands are nice complicated brass designs, the chape has lots of hand-rendering noticeable and the throat is applied, having a flare-out surface area. A very nice scabbard indeed. The blade of this example is nickel plated, having etching on both sides. There is some age to the blade, but it is not bad. The etchings on the obverse talk about “His Majesty the German Kaiser and King of Prussia, Wilhelm II”. Beneath this is a tutanic style warrior positioned over a sailing vessel. Over top of the warrior’s winged bird helmet, there is an Imperial crown with raid cross beneath. The other side of the blade has the logo of “Solingen” and it thanks the anniversary of Kaiser Day in the Solingen land on 12 August 1899. Further down on the etch is a portrayal of a master smith at work on an anvil. At the ricasso is the king and knight logo with the firm’s full name “Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co. Solingen”. Obviously, this letter opener was made for sale to tourists and it is an advertisement for Solingen and its German king, Kaiser Wilhelm II. A nice miniature here in good collectible condition.

Excellent Plus. $495.00

MINI -005- #27147 3/4 SIZE ARMY MINIATURE - Alcoso

 This 3/4 Size Army Miniature is the preferred type, being the largest that we see. The Miniature looks identical to the piece that I show on page 238 of my Army book, second from left. The fittings that Alcoso used to produce these miniatures were identical to the 2nd style fittings Alcoso used on their Army daggers. This crossguard type is quite rare and can be seen on page 21 of my Army book. These miniature fittings are done with the same attention to detail as the large size. The pommel reflects the tapered outlook that we see on the full size Alcoso daggers. It has beautiful silvering, and depicts standing oak leaves running completely around its outside circumference. The upper portion of the pommel is in choice condition, as is the rim area. The ferrule below depicts overlapping oak leaves, and has a fine silvered finish. The crossguard is also a beauty, showing an open winged Army eagle, as noted above, being the 2nd Alcoso type. This eagle has good detail to his wing feathering, wreath, and swastika. The breast feathering shows only a bit of wear on the surfaces. The silvering is good on this crossguard, except at the reverse area, where in the center and a little bit to the left, there is some pitting. Fortunately, though, this does not show on the front at all, if you are going to be displaying this example. The grip is a choice off-yellow color, identical to the large size types. It has the same rib construction, and tapers from right to left, downward. The scabbard is also the same as a full size example. It has excellent detail to the pebbled pommels, and it is straight throughout, having perfect silvering. There is even some frosting areas, which show around the throat and the protected spots around the bands. These carrying bands have outstanding oak leaves, which match the ferrule perfectly. The bands are equipped with proportioned silvered carrying rings. The blade of this example is identical to the large size, having three segments. The plating is still mostly bright, but apparently this blade did see some usage opening letters. There are some age signs in the surfaces at the front and back, but they are not really bad, and the blade still retains its original brightness. This blade rates at about excellent. The reverse of the blade is etched with the trademark used from 1937 through 1939. It consists of a set of scales having the firm’s initials “ACS” interspersed. Above the scales, in an arch shape, is the block-lettered name of the firm, “Alcoso”. Below is the block-lettering of the firm’s town, “Solingen”. The original felt blue colored washer is in place. A good miniature here, which has a minor flaw on the reverse crossguard, but it is priced accordingly.

Excellent. $795.00

MINI -009- #26362C 1/2 SIZE MINIATURE - E. & F. Hörster

 This 1/2 Size Miniature looks the same as the example shown in my Army book on page 238. The fittings throughout this piece are a white metal style. The pommel is identical to the larger counterpart having good crisp brim and standing oak leaves, which run around the perimeter. The ferrule depicts overlapping oak leaves. The crossguard depicts an open winged eagle, which looks to the viewer’s left. This eagle has good detail to his open wing feathering, wreath, and raised swastika. These gray fittings have a nice appealing sheen to their surfaces. The grip is a white color, and it is identical to the large counterpart, having sectioned ribs which run downward from right to left. The scabbard is pebbled, just like the large size. It, too, is a gray metal. The scabbard is equipped with detailed oak leaf bands, with carrying rings. Like the hilt, this scabbard is still in mint condition, with the throat apparently pressed into place. The blade of this example is mirror bright, nickel plated, and in full mint condition. It is interesting to note that the maker’s marking has been gilded in the backgrounds. This marking appears on the center segment of the three- segmented blade. It is on the obverse and is, “E. & F. Hörster/Solingen”. A very fine miniature here.

Mint. $495.00

MINI -010- #24723C 1/2 SIZED BALL TOP NAVAL MINIATURE

 This miniature looks very similar to the example I show in my Navy book on page 505, except the book piece has a Nazi pommel, and this example is fitted with the 1929 model with ball top. The fittings are all brass throughout. The ball top has nice detail, having cresting waves at the base, and the reed and cattail depiction running around the circumference. The crossguard has a center block, with fouled anchor. The fouled anchor could have better definition, but you can still make out what it is. The quillon arms are equipped with the acanthus leaves, and they end with matched quillons and nipple-like devices at the tips. The grip has horizontally running segments, and it is a nice light orange color. This grip is in perfect condition. The scabbard is straight throughout, and it is a lightening bolt variety. It has scabbard bands, which have overlapping rope-like decoration. This scabbard is made without a throat. The gilding is still there at 100% throughout the scabbard, and I believe that the base metal is some type of a white metal beneath. The blade of this example is similar to an Imperial type, in that it has a ricasso with center ridge on both sides, being double edged with needle-like tip. This blade has been nickel plated, and it is of high quality construction. This blade is still in full mint condition, having its original red felt buffer in place. A nice looking Ball Top Miniature Naval here.

Excellent Plus. $295.00

MINI -011- #18631 CASED MINIATURE DLV / 1ST LUFTWAFFE

 This is the first example I have encountered which has been cased. The miniature is the standard 10 1/4 inch style, usually bearing the making of E. & F. Hörster, but in this case, there is no maker mark on the blade. This example is pretty much the same as the one I show in my Luftwaffe Book, on Page 383. These pieces are produced from a white metal base, and usually the silvered surfaces did not hold up well. Apparently the cased status here has made the difference, as the silvering is mostly all there on these parts. The pommel has a couple of flakes to the plating but not bad. This pommel has vaulted sunwheel swastikas. If they were gilded at one time, they are not any longer. The down-swept crossguard reflects all of the silvering on one side and has a little mild deterioration of the plating on the other - just around the 4:00 swaz' leg. The grip is a very fine wood base example having a blue painted finish. The finish has some lines in it, giving the look of leather. The ten rib segments flow downward from right to left. They are tightly wrapped with a single twisted silver wire - fine grip here. There is a silvered plain ferrule to which the grip is secured. The scabbard is composed of a blue painted metal shell, having crackle finish. The painted finish is all there, only just beginning to thin in a couple of places. The scabbard mounts are identical to the real thing, having scalloped ends where they meet the shell. The reverse of the mounts have simulated staple-like images. Attached to the two upper fitting rings is a matching silvered chain - the ends are attached to both rings - there is no clip. The plated blade is bright throughout. The blade is a quality three-segmented example with needle-like tip. This blade is in near full mint condition. The case is a brown leatherette type measuring approximately 11 1/2 X 5 3/4 inches, being 1 3/4 inches thick. The leatherette covering shows some mild wear and usage, but remains in good condition. The lid retaining copper hardware consists of a decorative shell design of period style. These fittings are holed and hinged to connect over male prongs on the lower hardware. The inside lid is a brown silk with horsehair padding and the lower surface is a brown felt, cut out providing a recess of the miniature. A good-looking package here for the serious miniature collector.

Excellent Plus. $2,495.00

 This quality little skinner with scabbard measures a scant 4 1/2 inches. The grip plates are genuine stag being retained with rivets. Folding out on either side are a small knife blade and also a corkscrew. The springs are quality, as are the blades. The two inch long main blade is skinner shaped and slab-sided. There is a name stamped into the surface of the blade - looks like, "Schoeller Bleckman", but hard to tell as there is some old pitting in the surfaces. Although only 2 1/4 inches long, the scabbard has nickel fittings with leather shell. The nickeled fittings have line decoration and the edges are scalloped. The leather is sewn up the rear like the large examples. Outstanding period item, the first of which I have seen. Hard to imagine something this small could be made to actually use.

Excellent Plus. $225.00

Excellent Plus. $1295.00

MINI -014- #22752 HALF-SIZE ARMY MINIATURE - E. & F. Hörster

 This half-size Army miniature is identical to the example I show on Page 240 of my Army book. It features silvered gray fittings throughout. The silvering is still fairly good, but is starting to thin at the high points. The pommel is a nice example, having standing oak leaves around its perimeter. Its rim is smooth and at the top area, the silver plating is beginning to wear. The ferrule is in excellent condition throughout, having full silvering depicting overlapping oak leaves. The cross guard has just the slightest of wear to the silvering but it still rates at about 98%. This cross guard depicts an open-winged eagle, looking to the viewer’s left. The eagle has good detail to the breast feathering, wing feathering, wreath and mobile style swastika. The grip of this example is just like those of the larger Army counterparts. It has nicely formed ribs which flow downward from right to left. The grip is of celluloid and it has a fine, pumpkin orange color on the obverse, fading just slightly on the reverse to a lighter tangerine orange. The scabbard is straight throughout, having good, crisp pebbling. Most of the silvering is still on the scabbard, with minor amounts of wear around the throat area where the original owner probably pulled it out to use the miniature for opening letters. The bands are all there, as are the silvered rings. The rings in this piece look to be miniature key holders. The blade of this example is just like the large counterpart, having three segments. It is high-quality nickel plated example, having its original needlelike tip. This mint condition blade is etched on the reverse with the producer’s name and location “E & F Hörster Solingen”. A very fine half-size miniature here.

Near Mint. $495.00

MINI -015- #23797 HALF-SIZE ARMY MINIATURE - E. & F. Hörster

 This half-size Army miniature is the same as I show in my Army book on Page 240. The fittings have a nice silver plating throughout. The pommel is an excellent example, portraying standing oak leaves around the perimeter. The rim is perfect and the upper portion of the pommel has a nice sheen to the silvered patination. The ferrule is also matching patinated, having overlapping oak leaves. The cross guard depicts and open-winged eagle, which looks to the viewer’s left. This bird has good detail to his head, breast feathering, wreath and mobile swastika. The grip is a pretty, deeper orange color. This grip is formed the same way as the large counterpart, having fine detailed segments which run downward from right to left. There is a tiny hair liner crack at the reverse of the grip, but it is nothing. The scabbard is a fine example having pebbled finish throughout. It is still crisp and has good silvered finish. The bands have overlapping oak leaves and they are fitted with small silvered rings. The blade of this example is a high-quality nickel plated type. It is in three segments just like the large counterpart. The obverse of this blade has a striking advertisement on it. It consists of two circles which flank the name of the company. Both circles have the letters “E.W.” inside. In the inner portion of the blade there is the word “wille” and the word “werk-zeuge”. The advertisement would indicate that these half-size Army miniatures were given out as gifts to potential clients. The reverse of the blade is marked with the early logo used by Hörster with just the large “H” letter and the smaller “h” and “s” letter inside pierced by a sword. We do not see this logo much on miniatures and it does not exist as far as I know on the large Army counterpart dagger. A nice, interesting example here in choice condition.

Mint Minus. $550.00

MINI -016- #8372 2ND MODEL LUFTWAFFE ON WOOD PROPELLER

 I have seen many Luft miniatures on the casted propeller, but this is the first I have seen on a finished wood prop. The wood appears to be a mahogany. It has fine grain and is finished with a varnish or shellac. There is a black felt base on the bottom. The 2nd Luftwaffe miniature is also unusual. It is a one-piece, casted style, having really outstanding detail. The swastika pommel and crossguard feathering are just the best. Even the simulated grip wire is easily distinguishable. The blade is also a nice one. It is fashioned after a Luftwaffe sword as it has the center fuller - guess the manufacturer probably made these in the sword variation too, utilizing the same blade. The scabbard is mounted to the prop via two struts. It has fine pebble pattern, carrying rings, and if not in the right perspective, could easily be mistaken for the real thing. A fine item here, most likely missing from even an advanced collection. Very rare item.

Excellent Plus, Plus. $ 895.00

MINI -017- #22753 3/4 SIZE LUFTWAFFE SWORD ON CAST IRON PROPELLOR

> This 3/4 sized Luftwaffe sword is in good collectible condition throughout and is the same as the piece shown on Page 391 of my Luftwaffe book. The hilt is an excellent depiction having all silvered hardware. The top pommel has sunwheel swastikas on both sides, and although there is no gilding remaining, the silvering is perfect throughout. The crossguard features the downswept detailed feathered quillen wings. In the center are smaller sunwheel swastikas. There is just the hint of gilding remaining on the reverse sunwheel. The grip is a choice leather covered affair. This leathering still retains its graining and it is in perfect condition. Like the book example, the grip is tightly wrapped with miniature triple copper wire. The center wire is twisted for effect. Amazing work here when considering how small it is! The scabbard shell itself also has perfect leather which exactly matches the grip. This leather also has fine graining in its surfaces. The scabbard is equipped with realistic silvered mounts at the upper and lower. The upper mount is equipped with two eyelets and rings like its large counterpart. The lower mount is mostly detailed with descending double ball chape. This scabbard is equipped with two struts which are mounted to the reverse of the scabbard fittings. These struts in turn connect to the top of a cast iron miniature airplane propeller. This propeller is a blued color and has excellent surfaces. In fact, there are still signs of the original protective lacquer across the blued surfaces. The lower portion of the propeller still has the original leather buffering which protected the user's desk. The blade of this example is a beauty being bright and quality nickel-plated. It shows a few signs of letter opening but it still remains in mint condition. This fine blade is marked on reverse with the 1937 through 1939 trademark. The mark consists of the scales having the firm's initials, "ACS", interspersed. Above the scales is the firm's block lettered, arch-shaped, name "Alcoso", and below is the location city of "Solingen." There is a blue felt buffer which protects this blade. A very fine ¾ size miniature which is all set to decorate your collecting desk.

Excellent Plus, Plus. $1,195.00