The Carl Eickhorn firm was one of the most prestigious of the Solingen blade industries during the 3rd Reich period, thus they enjoyed an exceptional business climate during the time. One of their marketing strategies was the introduction of the "Field Marshall Series". This series of swords consisted of 9 different models, all bearing names chosen from Germany's military heroes of the past.
Many collectors enjoy trying to assemble a complete Field Marshall Series. It can be a daunting task as several of the models were not introduced until 1938 and 1939, namely the Prinz Eugen and the Lützow Model, thus they are fairly rare and can be expensive. The other Field Marshall models include the Wrangel, Scharnhorst, Freiherr vom Stein, Roon, Derfflinger, Zeiten, and Blücher patterns. Eickhorn also produced several other sword models that were not included in the Field Marshall Series.
SWDSFMEK #48736C Early Third Reich Panther Head Presented Sword By Carl Eickhorn
This all brass sword is in very fine condition throughout still having much of its original gilt about the hilt parts. The pommel has the panther head cat that was continued to be used through the Third Reich period. This style probably goes back to just prior to the Third Reich but was continued into this time for a short period.
The panther head has outstanding detail to his whiskers brow and faceted pink glass eyes. The main travels a short distance down the backstrap. The backstrap has outstanding raised out oak leaves and acorns with much hand enhancing that continue into the grip tabs. The P guard also has very fine oak leaves and acorns. The ferrule has oak leave sprigs that run around its circumference. The reverse crossguard features a langet having a raised oval which is blank. The obverse features a set of raised crossed sword with leaves around them. The quillon ends in a curl. It is interesting in that Eickhorn was still using at this time sharkskin grips. This grip has outstanding sharkskin still having all of tis pebbling and good bluish color. The grip is tightly triple wrapped with twisted brass wire the center being of larger proportion. A very fine hilt here.
The scabbard is also a fine example being straight throughout and having excellent original paint. The paint shows a little bit of wear at the lower area mostly on the obverse side but the resort of the paint is still excellent and in a near mint state.
The blade of this example is quite incredible though. It is a 33 inch long example having mint high quality nickel plated surfaces. It is triple engraved with dedications on both sides and beautiful blue panels in the backgrounds of the raised out verbage. The obverse in the center area is raised out Die Fahnenjunker des Preuss Feld-Artill. Rgt. No 6. This basically translates to the Fahnenjunker in this case a Fahnenjunker would be an officer cadet and then they;re tying it in with the old military tradition calling it the Prussian field artillery regiment number 6. On the opposite side are the years that this man spent in this group being 1.10.32 bis 1.7.33. These dates would indicate that these cadets assignment last until July 1933 which was 6 months into the Third Reich regime. The rest of the areas of the blade are covered with beautiful raised floral designs and the spine is also etched with laurel leaves. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the 1933 through 1935 Eickhorn trademark. The original blade buffer is in place.
This is a very fine example here and its quality cannot be overstated. A very beautiful sword.
Mint MInus. $2,295.00
SWDSFMEK #48496 Model 1695 Panther Head Sword By Carl Eickhorn
This model 1695 is a very nice example produced of brass base. The panther head is very nicely executed having fine hand enhancing throughout the cat’s lower jaw his whiskers his eyebrows and also to the mane which flows shortly down the backstrap. The cat is fitted with faceted pinkish red eyes. The backstrap features very fine hand enhanced oak leaves and acorns which extend in to the grip tabs. The P guard also has fine oak leaves and acorns also having hand enhancing. The ferrule is the standard type with oak leaves running around it. The crossguard has the Art Deco style open winged army eagle having nice enhancing to the bird’s head and breast feathering as well as the wreath. The swastika in the center is left plain and is nicely raised. The carved wood grip is covered with black celluloid which still remains in perfect condition. The grip is tightly wrapped with triple aluminum wire the center being twisted. The sword is equipped with that appears to be its original officer’s portepee. This portepee still remains in perfect condition also an indication of the condition of the sword. The portepee is the standard green leather having dual rows of stitched aluminum wire running the length. The portepee shows no wear and is set in place in its original tie. The scabbard is a fine example being straight throughout and having all original black paint. The paint shows only modest usage and still rates at about 98 percent. The fine blade is an outstanding example being 31 inches in length. It has quality nickel plated finish and remains in mint condition. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the 1935 through 41 Eickhorn squirrel. The original brown leather washer is in place. A very nice model 1695 here which is not an easy Eickhorn sword to find.
Excellent Plus. $725.00
SWDSFMEK #48303 Army NCO Sword By Carl Eickhorn
This NCO sword is the plain style throughout the hilt and reflects good nickel plating. The plating shows some modest age but overall it is still all there. The wood carved grip is covered with perfect conditioned black celluloid. This celluloid is tightly wrapped with triple aluminum wire the center being twisted. The scabbard is straight throughout having good original paint. The paint shows some modest age and usage but still about 95 percent. The nickel plated high quality blade is an immense length measuring 36 inches. Obviously the NCO that wore this saber was an extremely tall man. The blade is so long it is difficult for my short arms to get it out of the scabbard! The blade is still in mint condition. It is marked on the reverse with the 1935 through 41 Eickhorn trademark. The original brown washer is in place. A very nice NCO sword and particularly interesting with the great length of the blade. Every Eickhorn sword collection should have a representative of the NCO model.
Excellent Plus. $350.00
SWDSFMEK #43093C Lützow Pattern Sword
The Lützow Pattern Sword is the rarest of all the Eickhorn Field Marshall Series. It is the key piece in a Field Marshall collection and no collection is truly complete without one.
This example is very fine, with an excellent gilded finish on the solid brass hilt. The gilding throughout the sword is nearly 100% intact and really looks great. The Lützow Pattern has the same Wehrmacht eagle and swastika on the pommel as the Prinz Eugen Pattern. The backstrap is engraved with oak leaves and acorns that run the length and extend into the grip tabs. The "P" guard also has a panel engraved with oak leaves and acorns. The ferrule consists of oak leaves with a cross between the pair, and acorns on either side of the cross. This pattern is repeated on the opposite side.
The crossguard is interesting in that it has back-to-back acorns that run all the way out to the curlicue quillon end. The reverse langet is plain, with a "seal" designed to accept a monogram. The opposite side has the characteristic Lützow motif, consisting of a sword piercing a mobile swastika, with oak leaves on either side.
When we received this sword the celluloid on the grip was slightly damaged, but we has since repaired it and it is unnoticeable. The grip is tightly wrapped with a skien of aluminum wires, with a twisted center strand.
The scabbard is straight throughout, with good, original paint. The paint shows some mild wear but overall is about 95% intact and still bright.
The 31 inch blade has outstanding nickel plating and is in bright, mint condition. The 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark is stamped on the reverse, and the original leather blade washer is in place.
A fine Lützow Pattern here, and very desirable.
Excellent Plus. $2,295.00
SWDSFMEK #43094C Roon Pattern Sword
This Roon Pattern Sword is a very fine example, having a brass hilt. It is interesting to note that while the Roon pattern was the most expensive in the Eickhorn catalog (priced at 18 Reichsmarks and 65 pfennigs) it was also one of the most simple designs. If you look closely at one, however, you will notice the oak leaves throughout the sword are elaborately engraved and not simply cast.
The amount of work that went into one of these swords was considerable and justified the cost. I always wondered why the Roon pattern was used so often for fancy presentation swords with Damascus blades, blue panels, and the like, and this labor intensive hand work is why.
The pommel is simple round affair. The backstrap, "P" guard and crossguard are flat types, all festooned in elaborate engraving. The reverse langet has a plain area to accept a monogram, while the obverse langet is engraved with a finely detailed Wehrmacht eagle and swastika.
The grip is carved wood covered in perfect celluloid, tightly wrapped with a skein of three aluminum wires with a twisted center strand.
The scabbard is a very fine example, being straight and having extremely nice, bright original paint. This paint is in mint condition.
The 33 ½ inch blade is a real marvel, being totally mint with bright, highest quality nickel plating The reverse ricasso is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original brown leather blade washer is in place.
A very nice and hard to find Roon Pattern Sword here.
Excellent Plus. $795.00
SWDSFMEK #43092C Freiherr von Stein Pattern Sword
This Freiherr von Stein Pattern Sword is constructed with all all-brass hilt, with excellent gilding on the crossguard and ferrule. The upper portions of the pommel and "D" guard show some minor wear.
This pattern is relatively simple. The pommel and backstrap are decorated with fine oak leaves and acorns, as are the grip tabs, “P” guard and ferrule. The crossguard is a dotted line pattern that runs through the area, ending in a teardrop curl on both sides. The reverse is plain, with a raised area intended for a monogram.
The guard features a hand enhanced, closed-wing Wehrmacht eagle clutching a swastika which retains fine detailing. The reverse of the guard is patterned in dots and has a blank langet to accept a monogram. The under portion of the quillon is marked “Gesch Gesch”.
The grip is the usual carved wood affair covered in black celluloid. This celluloid is in good condition and is wrapped with a skein of three aluminum wires, the center strand being a thicker gage.
The scabbard is nice and straight throughout. It has excellent original black paint which shows only mild evidence of carrying time. It is at least 90% intact and would clean up nicely if so desired. The bottom portion of the chape is missing but this is not very noticeable.
The 33 ½ inch blade is a quality example with fine, nickel-plated surfaces. It is in mint condition throughout and is marked with the 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark. The original leather blade buffer is intact and in place.
A solid von Stein Pattern here.
Excellent Plus. $695.00
SWDSFMEK #41240C Personalized SA Feldjäger Officer's Sword with Etched SA Motto
This early SA Feldjäger sword is one of the rarest of all 3rd Reich period examples. Researcher Jim Brown has the original Eickhorn sales book that lists 50 of these swords ordered from Eickhorn by Ernst Röhm early in 1934. The sword was needed by SA officers who were enlisted in the newly-formed Feldjäger Police Korps in Prussia under Göring's supervision as Prussian Minister. These forces were needed as the German police was not yet nationalized. Many of the personnel chosen for Feldjäger duty were borrowed from the SA, thus the need for this sword to be worn by officers. By late 1935, the Feldjäger was disbanded, so this sword was only worn a short time.
The sword's brass hilt is an early dove head style, later discontinued by Eickhorn when new designs were approved with proper 3rd Reich motif. The sword's pommel is round and plain, with a decorative engraved line around it. The back strap and grip tabs feature raised oak leafing and acorn designs, as does the "P" guard. The ferrule is a standard type with oak leaf design.The reverse languet has a raised oval design for engraved personalization purpose. In the case of this sword, the langet is engraved with the monogram of its original owner, "Dr. LD". The engraving is professionally accomplished, and possibly research could be initiated, but a difficult task here. The obverse langet most likely featured a floral design, but in the case of these swords, a Weimar-style, six-sided Police insignia was used. It features a Prussian eagle in the center surrounded by sun rays. The insignia is pinned through the langet with the prongs at the reverse appearing to be countersunk into the brass - nice. The grip is a wood-carved base being covered by black celluloid. The celluloid is in perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with triple-twisted brass wire, the center wire being slightly larger.
The bright blade has fine nickel plating and measures 32 1/2 inches in length. The blade shows some minor wearing signs, but basically, remains in near full mint condition. The obverse blade has an etched panel with both sides of the etch ending with the typical Eickhorn fleur-de-lis points. Eickhorn also used these fleur de lis design ends on their bayonets and other etchings used throughout the 3rd Reich time. Raised out in the panel is the SA logo, "Alles für Deutschland". The frosted backgrounds remain at 100%. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the early logo used during 1933-34, consisting of twin ovals containing the factory name and Solingen location. A seated squirrel is positioned in the center. The original brown leather blade washer is in position. The scabbard is straight throughout having original black paint. The paint shows some even age in the surfaces, but basically it is all there. If the next owner wanted to clean it up some, I am sure a little car wax would do wonders.
A very rare sword here and a great addition to an advanced SA collection. I have only seen two or three of these swords over the years and as a result, they very seldom come up for sale. A great opportunity here to acquire something very rare.
Excellent. $6,495.00
SWDSFMEK #39613C Blücher Pattern Sword
This Blücher Pattern Sword is an early brass example. None of the original gilding remains on this brass but the detailing is mostly intact.
The pattern features a fine lion head with a long snout. The whiskers have been hand enhanced, along with the brow and mane, which flows partially down the backstrap. This cat is fitted with rounded red glass eyes. The backstrap is decorated with raised oak leaves and a raised blank section to accept a monogram. The “P” also has raised oak leaves and acorns decorating the surface.
The crossguard features an open-winged Army Eagle which looks to the viewer’s left. The breast feathering on this fine bird has been nicely hand enhanced, as has the wreath and raised mobile swastika. Sprays of oak leaves have been added on either side of the talons. The ferrule is decorated with a pattern of oak leaves and acorns and the lower hilt is stamped “DRP”.
The grip is constructed of carved wood covered in black celluloid. It is tightly wrapped with a skein of three aluminum wires, the center strand being twisted.
The scabbard is nice and straight, with good original paint. This paint shows some crazing and some surface age but overall remains mostly intact; with a little cleaning it should come up pretty nice.
The blade of the sword is a real monster. It measures 36 inches long, and most have been an extra cost order; normally 35 inches was the longest blade available. It has been richly nickel-plated and has a fine sheen. There is a tiny lift in the plating on the obverse side of the sword, fairly close to the ricasso, as well as a few on the spine. They are very minor, however, and don’t really detract from this most impressive blade. The reverse ricasso of the blade is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original brown leather blade washer is in place.
A good basic Blücher here, showing some mild age and wear but still in highly collectible condition.
Excellent. $695.00
SWDSFMEK #39012C Freiherr von Stein Pattern Sword
This von Stein Pattern Sword is constructed with all all-brass hilt. I don’t see much gilding left on this hilt, but some does remain the recesses. The detail is still outstanding, showing little wear.
The pommel and backstrap are decorated with fine oak leaves and acorns, as are the grip tabs, “P” guard and ferrule. The crossguard is a dotted line pattern that runs through the area, ending in a teardrop curl on both sides. The reverse is plain, with a raised area intended for a monogram.
The guard features a closed-wing Wehrmacht eagle clutching a swastika which retains fine detailing. The under portion of the quillon is marked “Ges Gesch”.
The grip is the usual carved wood affair covered in black celluloid. This celluloid is in perfect condition and is wrapped with a skein of three aluminum wires, the center strand being twisted.
The remains of the original portepee are still wrapped about the upper portion of the hilt. This portepee broke at the area after the knot; I elected to leave this accoutrement on the sword, although the next owner might want to discard it. To me it adds character, but your mileage may vary with this sort of thing.
The scabbard is nice and straight throughout. It has excellent original black paint which shows only mild traces of carrying time. It is at least 95% intact and would clean up nicely if so desired.
The 32 inch blade is a quality example with fine, nickel-plated surfaces. It is in mint condition throughout and is marked with the 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark. The original leather blade buffer is intact and in place.
A good, solid von Stein Pattern here, priced to sell.
Excellent. $695.00
SWDSFMEK #39061C Early Dove Head Sword with Double Langet Oak Leaves
This Eickhorn sword was made in the early Nazi period, somewhere between 1933 and 1935. It is most interesting as both of the langets are engraved with wreaths of oak leaves; normally the reverse is left plain.
The rest of the sword is beautifully engraved with oak leaves and acorns, spread across the backstrap, grip tabs, ferrule and “P” guard. The crossguard has a nice rendering of oak leaves within an oval, which connect along the length. The gilding looks to be almost completely intact on this hilt.
The grip is a carved wood example that is covered in black celluloid. This celluloid is in perfect condition and retains the original shine. The grip is tightly wrapped with a skein of three brass wires, the center strand being a thicker gauge.
The scabbard is nice and straight throughout. It has nice original paint, looking to perhaps have been touched up many years ago but it hardly shows.
The blade of this sword is 31 inches long and in full mint condition. It has outstanding nickel-plated surfaces. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the 1933-35 Eickhorn Small Oval trademark, and the original blade washer is in place.
An outstanding Eickhorn sword here, perfect for the type collector.
Near Mint. $700.00
SWDSFMEK #37855C Cavalry NCO Sword with Triple Etched Blade
The hilt of the NCO Sword is all done in plain, smooth nickel. It doe not appear to have been cleaned in many years and I'm sure it would come up very nicely if someone wanted to give it a good polish.
The grip is of carved wood with a covering of black celluloid. This celluloid appears to have an old repair on the upper portion. It still looks good though, and the repair is not easily noticed. It is wrapped with a skein of of aluminum wires, the center strand being twisted.
The scabbard is in generally good shape, with one small ding about 6 inches from the bottom of the obverse. It is the type with a stationary carrying ring, a feature we often seen on NCO swords. It is also of large size, to accommodate the blade. The original paint is still in excellent condition, showing only modest signs of usage and rating at about 98%.
The 32 inch blade is wider than most, typical of a Cavalry sword. It is triple etched. The obverse blade has very fine floral patterns with a central panel. Inside the panel, in raised letters, we see the words “Kavallerie Regt. No 14”. The reverse of the blade is quite spectacular, featuring a pair of Wehrmacht eagles and swastikas that flank a fine depiction of cavalry troops. There is very good detail to the horses, as well as to the field they are charging across. The spine of the blade is etched with a pattern of laurel leaves. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the familiar 1935-41 Eickhorn Squirrel trademark, and the original brown leather washer is in place.
A fine cavalry example here, with some period wear that really speaks to the viewer of the history of this piece.
Excellent. $1,695.00
SWDSFMEK #30397C Personalized Army Leopard Head Sword Model 1695
The Army Model #1695 Leopard Head Sword was not a popular model, and therefore, we do not see too many of them.
This example is produced in aluminum base metal and the gilded surfaces are still quite good. Only the very sharp areas show any wear to the gild, and I would say overall, it is in about 98% condition. The leopard head is a good looking cat, which is fitted with blood-red faceted eyes. The detail to the felines whiskers, brow, and jowls is quite good. The backstrap features oak leaves and acorns that run the length, including the two side stabs. The "D" guard has raised out oak leaves and acorns. The crossguard features an Art Deco style eagle, with outstretched wings and looking to the left. This bird also has good detail and grasps a wreath with mobile swastika. The lower section of the hilt is stamped "Ges.Gesch.".
The black celluloid grip is in good shape throughout, still having fine original sheen. This grip is wrapped with triple aluminum wire, the center being twisted. The reverse languet has been personalized and dated by a professional engraver. The monogram "G.Sch./1.6.38". This would indicate that the recipient received the sword on 1 June 1938, probably the date he was promoted to an officer.
The scabbard of this example is straight throughout. It looks as though it may have had a paint job, not too long, as this paint still has somewhat of a fresh appearance about it. Either way, though, it looks pretty good.
The blade is a 33 inch example. Although it is bright throughout, it does have some extremely mild freckling in the surfaces, keeping it from being full mint. The way it is, though, it certainly grades at Excellent Plus, Plus.
A nice looking monogrammed sword here, and fairly rare to see this Model 1695.
Excellent Plus. $895.00