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The German Rifle Association was one of the last organizations to be nationalized by the NSDAP. The organization consisted of many shooting and target clubs positioned throughout the Reich, some centuries old. Members were all volunteers. The cutlass was a long example. It consisted of nickel plated hilt fittings with clamshell having the insignia of the organization - essentially a target within a rounded disk having black enameled organization name. The grip was an off-white, celluloid-over-wood affair. The scabbard was black leather with nickeled mounts. The long blade was double-etched, featuring forestry/hunting scenes and usually a target somewhere in the motif.

RIFLE-002-26565 - SHOOTING PRIZE CUTLASS FROM 1927 - W.K.C.

This large cutlass is a very substantial piece, measuring approximately 23 inches overall. Because it is not a hunting cutlass, its fittings are all in gilt over brass base. The pommel cap is quite elaborate, having a spread of acorns and oak leaves which overlap the edges of the cap, similar to the way Alcoso sometimes did them. This motif is very beautiful and extremely well done, with hand chiseling evident. The nut which retains the tang is shaped in a cluster of three acorns together. A beautiful treatment has been done to the caps of these acorns. The cross guard is a matching gilt, having a center block which features oak leaves with a large acorn and separate cap in the center. The left cross guard goes upward slightly and features the head of a stag deer with a full rack. The detail to the head is quite special, having lots of line designs hand applied to simulate the hair of the animal. The antlers are in excellent condition and there are no bends or problems with them. The right cross guard goes downward slightly and features the head of a pointing dog. This dog head is complete with a collar featuring a buckle and hasp. The dog’s head is remarkable, with all details hand-enhanced to include his fur and whiskers and brow work over the eyes. A great job here that someone spent some time doing in the W.K.C. factory. Above this cross guard is a matching gilt ferrule which has twin sets of decorative lines. Below the cross guard is a clam shell device which depicts four deer lounging in a forest knoll. The deer in the front has a rack of stag while the other three are does. Even this scene has much hand work with pebbling in the backgrounds. The grip is a beautiful piece of rich brown stag horn. It curves from left to right, going upward, and also increases in size. The grains are very beautiful, ranging from dark browns to lighter golden tones. A very beautiful grip here which shows almost no trimming, as it was selected for its size. Decorating the grip are the W.K.C. unique acorns which have leaves atop them. These acorns descend in size from large at the top, to small at the bottom. There are three of them and they are all in good condition. A very fine hilt here, that when new, must have been spectacular. The scabbard shell is a black leather. It has the usual twin line decoration on both sides and is sewn up the rear. This leather is still supple, showing only minor age. The shell is fitted with matching gilded brass base scabbard mounts. These mounts have more elaborate designs than the usual, but are still scalloped where they meet the leather. They are held in place by staples in the usual manner and there are numbers visible beneath the staples. The reverse upper fitting has the purpose of this fine cutlass dramatically engraved into its surfaces. The engraving is done on a 45 degree angle, rising from left to right upward. The engraving is most beautiful and was done by a very skilled hand. It reads in nine lines “Königschiessen/1927./Wehrmannscheibe/
Freihand/gest./Gest.von/Oskar Stoeber/Ehrenmajor/Bürger Schützenges/Schaftstädt”. This dedication would be roughly translated as “Shooting King Contest for 1927 for Freehand Target Shooting Sponsored by Oskar Stoeber Honorary Major of the Bürger Schützenges Schaftstädt” which would be the name of the shooting club. Perhaps Oskar Stoeber could be looked up and chances are, he was a well-known man from his area and must have sponsored this annual shooting contest. This is an outstanding item here, which should be not too difficult to research. The cutlass is not in mint condition, but it is still very nice and very collectible. It would make a great addition to an interested collector’s assemblage of dedicated pieces. Excellent Plus Plus. $2,995.00

RIFLE-003-26451 - SHOOTING PRIZE CHAIN

This item is not a dagger or a cutlass, but because of its nature as a shooting prize chain, is best displayed in the Shooting Cutlass section, as those interested in these pieces should be also interested in a prize chain of this quality. First of all, the chain consists of heavy overlapping links of a fairly good size. Attached to it are about forty different coins and medals which were awarded to shooting prize winners beginning around 1895 and ending about 1936. Many of the prizes were awarded to a “Fr” (Freiherr Herbold). Assumedly, this local aristocrat was a top shot, as since many of the coins have his name and dates awarded on the back of them, he must have been the best in the area. There are also other names on the reverse of some of the coins. The coins are all most interesting in themselves, as they each represent an event that was held in Imperial, Weimar, or Nazi Germany. Each and every one has the engravings of the top Master professionals of that time. It would take many hours to study each one of these coins and medals and I am sure would produce much enjoyment to someone tuned into this history. Many of the coins have the Kaiser, Hindenberg, Hitler and other notable people who were in charge during the times of these shooting contests. Apparently, the club which sponsored the contest may have been from Hesse as there is a large shield device in the center with an applied crowned lion that looks like the style used by this state. Below the lion image is a three-line engraving which could be the name of the club, “Rodenbergs/gefstem/Schützen/”. I don’t know for sure, but this would be a pretty good place to start with the research. Some of the other medals are also in the form of targets. Many of the medal prizes mention the word “ring”. Assumedly, this is probably something that refers to targets. This necklace could provide a great springboard for lots of research and after it is all done, it would make a fantastic cased piece to highlight one’s recreation room. Lots to see here, lots to study here, lots to research here. I personally purchased this item from the family of the Veteran that brought it home. It has never been in a collection and I must say, I have personally enjoyed owning it over the past several months. A great artifact here, stemming three periods of German history. Excellent Plus Plus. $2,295.00