SWDSIMP - 030 - 24736 - IMPERIAL ARTILLERY SABER WITH BLUE PANEL - KARL KAISER

The hilt of this Imperial Artillery saber is a fairly large size and is in plain nickel finish. It features a traditional hilt design with pommel back strap, “P-guard”, and cross guard with langet. The upper part of the “P-guard” has a slot cut into it which may have been for placement of a portepee. The nickel throughout shows some minor age in the surfaces, but there is no lifting and the nickeling is still really at 100%. The grip is a fine blue-purple sharkskin. The sharkskin still mostly retains its original coloring. It is still in good shape with no breaks or problems. The grip is tightly wrapped with dual twisted silver wire. The blade is a most impressive example. It is one of the larger proportioned blades and it measures thirty-three inches in length. This saber blade has fine nickel plated surfaces throughout and remains in near full mint condition. The first half of the blade is triple etched. The obverse has a most beautiful blue panel. It starts out with a small panel with frosted background having a floral device and ends with a slightly longer frosted panel depicting war implements such as cross cannons, swords, etc. In the center, the name and location of the regiment is raised out and nickel plated with a choice blue background. It reads “Feldartillerie..Regt.v.Peucker(Schles.) No6.”. This regiment is the Field Artillery Van Peucker Regiment No. 6 from Silesia, which is now a part of Poland. This regiment was originally raised in 1808 and is garrisoned in the City of Breslau. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the Colonel Kaiser trademark having a crown over crossed swords with the letters “CKCO” interspersed. The reverse blade has a long frosted panel, but does not have a blue background. The frosting is 100%. It depicts more military themes familiar to most collectors. The spine has a laurel leaf design etched into its surface areas. There is a intact red felt buffer protecting this impressive blade. The scabbard is in fairly good shape, but does need a paint job. The paint is about 80% on it and it shows substantial scratching and carrying time. There are no bad dents or anything, so it could be repainted most satisfactorily. The carrying ring is the type that is fixed. A nice looking example here which will really display well in a collection room.
Excellent Plus Plus $1,195.00

SWDSIMP - 031 - 24737 - IMPERIAL PRUSSIAN GARDE ARTILLERY SABER BY W.K. & C

This Imperial Artillery saber belonged to a member of a very elite regiment. In fact, this regiment is listed the “first” in reference books. It was garrisoned in Berlin and raised in 1816. It was a Garde Regiment and therefore, was at the personal disposal of the Kaiser. The hilt of this sword is a large proportioned example, being in nickel finish and having plain fittings throughout. The fittings consist of a pommel back strap, “P-guard”, langet, and quillon. All parts are unadorned. There is a slot in the “P-guard” which may have been for the purpose of a portepee. The grip is a fine blue sharkskin which is tightly stretched over a wood base. There are a number of ribs in the grip, but there is no grip wire and it does not appear the sword ever had any. The plainness of the hilt, though, is soon forgotten, when the blade is drawn from the scabbard. This blade is a very large proportioned example. It measures a long 34 inches, indicating its wearer was a tall man. The blade is plated in beautiful nickel and it remains in full mint condition. The obverse blade has three paneled designations, each of which has a beautiful blue background. The raised portions of the panels are in contrasting nickel. The ricasso area depicts a mounted officer complete with pickelhaube with plumes on top. The details to the officer’s uniform and horse are very explicit and exciting. The panel has floral decorations which separate it from the ricasso and the next panel. The center example has the raised out designation of its owner’s regiment, “1.Garde Feld-Artill.-Regt.Berlin.”. The First Guard Artillery Regiment was indeed an elite group and chances are original members needed to prove that they could afford the finery and uniforms that went with their position. Outstanding stuff here! The sword ends with a panel of crossed cannons which are positioned over laurel leaves, also having blue backgrounds. There is a finishing floral touch at the end which is frosted. The obverse ricasso has the knight and king logo, showing that this is a turn of the century W.K. & C example. The reverse blade does not have blue panels, but has most impressive designs. It is three separate areas, the same as the obverse, each having 100% frosting to their backgrounds. The first panel is surrounded by floral designs, but in the center, is the “Garde” star with its logo “suum cuique”. In the center is the German black eagle. In the next center panel is a set of mounted artillery men pulling a casson. Each of the mounted personnel, as well as those sitting on the casson, are wearing pickelhaube with ball top. The details to the wheels, horses, cannon, uniforms, etc are outstanding. The panel ends with the heads of three horses who are all positioned together. The spine depicts oak leaves etched into the surfaces. This blade has been protected by an in-place white leather washer. The scabbard is also quite nice, being a nickel plated example. This scabbard has a couple of minor dings which could be removed without too much trouble. The nickel plating is still nearly 100% and remains nice and bright. The hanger ring is a stationary type. A most beautiful sword here, and certainly a great example for those seeking accoutrements and weapons from elite regiments.
Near Mint $1,495.00

SWDSIMP - 038 - 24973 – IMPERIAL PRUSSIAN JAWLESS LION HEAD CALVARY SWORD - W.K. & C.

This all-brass hilt is of high quality casted metal. It is deeply patinated and has not been cleaned in years. I see little gilt remaining in the surfaces or the recesses, but there is not excessive wear either. The pommel features a jawless lion head. This cat has excellent depiction and is the style with no glass eyes. There is hand-enhancing evident around the feline’s whiskers, brow and mane area. The lion’s mane flows slightly to the back strap where it becomes plain. In the center of the back strap is a flower device with a floral motif around it. The “P” guard features a shield with swords behind it in the center area, and an Iron Cross ribboned decoration above. The langet has a series of crossed swords which are raised out, mixed with a laurel wreath. The quillon ends in a floral ball. This identical hilt motif is shown in the Angolia sword book on Page 368, left. The grip is a sharkskin type. It looks good, having good blue color, but there are a couple of places where the sharkskin has rotted, but it does not really show. This grip is tightly wrapped with triple twisted silver wire, the center being slightly larger. A good looking hilt here. The scabbard is straight throughout and appears to have a blue surface, although it has gone dark from years of storage. The scabbard appears to have once had two carrying rings, but the second one was probably removed per the orders of 1906. The top ring is a contrasting smooth brass type with matching band. The thirty-two inch curved blade is an impressive example. It is the wider proportioned type and it has very bright, fine nickel plated surfaces. There is almost no age in this blade and it easily rates in Near Full Mint condition. A fine blade here. The spine has the maker’s name and location raised out of the surfaces. It is, “Gust Gunther, Metz”. The original off-red felt blade buffer is in place. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the side-by-side king and knight heads, and beneath, is the firm’s initials “W.K. & C.”. A good looking sword here, which could easily clean up to really look great.
Excellent Plus $495.00

SWDSIMP - 039 - 24947 – IMPERIAL LION HEAD SABER WITH PIERCED HILT AND “BAND” DAMASCUS BLADE BY M. NEUMANN

The hilt of this Imperial / Lionhead sword is quite beautiful, featuring a highly detailed lion’s head which is fitted with faceted pink eyes. The detail to this feline is the best that you will see, having hand-enhancing evident throughout the whiskers, brow, mane and the flowing fur areas behind. The jaw of the lion looks great as it has a beard feature which has also been hand-enhanced. The back strap has some nice raised out designs which also feature hand-stippling on the plain areas. At the center of the back strap is a shield-like device which features the original owner’s initials. The monogram, “PW”, is beautifully rendered, having shaded areas in between the engravings. The “P” guard is also quite interesting as it has a seldom seen pierced feature between the oak leaves, which run down its length. Piercing, for some reason, was not seen too often as it must have been quite expensive, requiring lots of hand work. The ferrule is quite nice, having overlapping oak leaves which run around its circumference. The cross guard has a shield-like device and features a pebbled finish with no other detail. It is the same on the reverse. The quillon ends in a finely detailed lion head. There appears to still be plenty of gilt remaining around the fine brass of this piece. Frankly, it could use a good cleaning to show off at its best. The grip is a fine blue/purple sharkskin. It remains in perfect condition, with all of its original grain. The grip is tightly wrapped with triple twisted brass wire, the center being slightly larger. A beautiful hilt here, which is of a nature seldom seen. The thirty inch long blade is incredible. It is in stone mint condition and is a hand-forged Damascus example featuring the “band” pattern. The band pattern has the look of pulling apart a piece of Turkish taffy. That is the way the pattern looks in the metal. This beautiful blade also has a quillback at the end and the curve is more drastic than we normally see. I cannot say enough about the beauty of this blade. It virtually looks like it is moving to the eye. The original distributor’s name is etched out of the top of the blade. It is the prestigious Prussian supplier who was responsible for many of the items won by the royal family, “M.Neumann Hoflieferant Berlin”. Although Neumann did not make anything, they must have had contacts with the best of the best, as rarely is a product seen bearing this name that is not outstanding. The scabbard for this piece is in good, dent free condition. The original paint shows some age across its surfaces, but I think if it were compounded it would come up quite a bit. A good hilt cleaning would also make for a fine sword. The blade itself does not need a thing, as it looks the same as it did when this sword was brand new one hundred years ago. A very beautiful, highest quality product here and something which will make you smile every day you look at it.
Excellent Plus Plus $3,495.00

SWDSIMP - 041 - 24809 – OLDENBURG CALVARY OFFICER’S LION HEAD WITH PIERCED HILT - I. ROBRECHT

This beautiful Oldenburg sword is in brand new condition. Hard to believe, that it is one hundred years old, as it is easily one of the most beautiful examples I have ever seen having condition extraordinaire. The hilt is a oversized lion head. This feline has the absolute best detail I have ever seen rendered to a sword hilt. The fire gilt has both shiny and muted parts. The areas where the hand engraver has lined his accent marks, gleam from the muted backgrounds. The lion has a hand-accented beard, as well as pebbling to his hand-accented whiskers, snout, brow above the eyes and, of course, to all the fur flowing back in his mane. Easily one of the most beautiful lion heads you will ever see. Adding to the cat’s elegance are red faceted ruby eyes. These eyes have actual settings and I think are the real deal. They are just outstanding, being a deep blood red color. The back strap features floral style details, which are highly raised out. There is a center area which has been left smooth for an owner’s monogram. The “P” guard is a pierced example which is wider at the center bend, narrowing as it comes into the cross guard. This “P” guard displays beautiful sprigs of oak leaves and acorns all appearing to “float” in the middle. This “P” guard is the best you will see. The cross guard features a langet which has crossed Calvary swords. Applied over the swords is a contrasting silvered, raised out insignia. This insignia has a sunburst in the background, and superimposed over this, is the Oldenburg crown resting over the state crest. The state crest is halved with one, line-decorated side having an Excalibur style sword and the other side of the crest, having two squares which are lined to contrast with the smooth areas. The patinated, silvered application here is just fantastic against the muted gilded base. The reverse langet has a raised out floral decorated shield, which is also left plain. The cross guard goes into a quillon end which features a detailed lion. Take my word for it, collectors, this is easily one of the most elegant and best conditioned hilts you will see. The grip is also in great condition, being a sharkskin covered example. The ribs seem to have a sharper edge to each one of them than we normally see. All of the grain remains in the sharkskin and it is tightly wrapped with triple twisted silver wire, the center being slightly larger. The blade of this example is also in brand new condition. It is a thirty-three inch long saber style blade with quillback. It has the highest quality, nickel plated finish I can remember seeing. It is absolutely stone mint throughout, and the best you will see. On the spine in a raised out, frosted background is the firm’s name, reputation and their location, “I. Robrecht Hoflieferant. Berlin”. The word “Hoflieferant” means that I. Robrecht was selected to supply the royal family. The scabbard of this sword is in the same condition as the saber itself. It is totally perfect, having a beautiful blued 100% finish. Contrasting with the blue finish is a set of brass carrying bands with only one carrying ring at the top. The eyelet for the lower carrying ring has been removed per the Imperial order of 1906. By way of background, the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg only had one Calvary regiment. This makes this sword an extremely rare item to begin with, and to find it in this condition, is of astronomical odds. This is a great sword for the advanced serious Imperial collector. I forgot to mention it in the description above, but the original portapee is also on this sword. It is of black leather construction, being the larger proportioned type. It has stitching of silver with a red center running the length. The woven leather slide is the same and the stem and lower ball are of silver bouillon. The insert is a black color with silver dots. Extremely rare offering.
Mint $4,995.00

SWDSIMP - 044 - 26783 - IMPERIAL BAVARIAN ARTILLERY SWORD - NO MAKER (CARL EICKHORN)

This Bavarian artillery sword is of all-nickel plated hilt construction. The plating throughout the hilt does not look to have been cleaned in a while, but it is still in excellent shape, showing only nominal age. The hilt configuration has a smooth pommel and smooth back strap with “D” guard which is also smooth, having a slot at the top of it which accommodated a portepee. The “D” guard travels through the cross guard area and ends in a teardrop curl. There is an original portepee still through the slot. It is a brown leather style which has a shaving brush, cream colored end. It appears as though the cap portion has mostly rotted out, but it is possible to see that this was once a yellow color. There is no slide portion, and I don’t know whether there ever was. The grip is made of a black ebony wood. It is nicely sectioned into good, sharp ribs for a sound handhold. The scabbard is also a nickel plated item. This scabbard shell is straight throughout and the nickeling is still quite good, showing a little bit of minor age here and there, but, overall, it rates at about 95% - 98%. The scabbard shell is fitted with one carrying band and matching ring. The blade is a wider proportion type and it measures about 32 inches in length. The blade does not look to have been cleaned in a long time and it does have some minor age spotting, a lot of which would clean up. Both sides of the blade are etched with the Bavarian motto “In Treue fest”. This slogan is etched into a ribboned image which is twisted around floral devices. It appears on both sides of the blade and the etch ends in “Fleur de lis” devices. This blade grades at about excellent, but certainly could clean up to excellent plus. The ricasso is unmarked, but I am sure that this is an Eickhorn produced sword, as it is identical to the example shown in the 1906 Eickhorn catalogue. This identical sword appears on Page 124 of the Imperial catalogue and is listed as Model No. 266. The original off-white leather washer is in place. A good project here for someone who wants to work a little with cleaning up this sword. It is all still there! Excellent. $350.00

SWDSIMP - 045 - 26339 – IMPERIAL NAVAL SABER – CARL EICKHORN

This Naval saber is of all-brass construction and is the same as the piece that I show in my Navy book on Page 440. The hilt design consists of a fine lion head which is the style without glass eyes. This lion has exceptional detail to his whiskers, brow and flowing mane. The mane runs backward throughout the entire back strap of the sword. There is lots of hand-enhancing to all of this hair. The basket hilt is a stationary style. It has the normal naval designs and there is random pebbling in the plain areas. At the center basket is an oval design which features a raised out Imperial crown over a fouled anchor. The details to the crown are quite good, as are the finials and the cross on top. The anchor designs are also highly detailed. The ferrule of this piece has a lot of floral designs and it is the same as the one shown on the lower picture of Page 440. This hilt is equipped with a genuine ivory grip. The ivory is in nice condition, having golden tones and there is also some graining in the features. The grip is cracked along both front and reverse edges and, if anything, these cracks make for a more attractive grip here. The grip is tightly wrapped with triple twisted, gilded wire. The center wire is larger than the outer two and the outer two are twisted opposite for effect. A good-looking hilt here which has never been cleaned and remains in the dull brass patination. The scabbard shell is the standard black leather type. This leather shows some minor age, but it is still sound throughout. It is decorated with lines which run along the edges of both sides and it is sewn up the rear. The leather scabbard has three matching dull patina brass mounts. These mounts are engraved in the usual naval motif designs. They are retained by the larger style staples, all of which are present. There are eyelets on the center and upper mount. These eyelets have rope designs raised out in the center. The saber blade is 32 inches in length. It is a triple etch type and is slightly gray from age. This blade is a fairly wide design and does not have a quillback. The designs etched into the blade are of a nautical theme. There are many designs to look at on both sides. They feature compasses, ships’ wheels, anchors, an Imperial flag, oars, a fully rigged sailing ship, a lighthouse and fouled anchors with Imperial crowns on both sides. This blade must have really looked spectacular when it was new. The upper spine also has the name of the distributor it was purchased through. It is raised out “I.Robrecht Hoflieferant Berlin”. In addition, on the reverse ricasso is stamped with the back-to-back squirrels that were the logo used by Carl Eickhorn prior to World War I. This is a good representative example. This sword is not mint by any means, but it is not in too bad a condition either.
Excellent. $1,195.00

SWDSIMP - 046 - 26736C – IMPERIAL LION HEAD ARTILLERY SABER – W.K. & C.

This Lion Head Imperial sword has a fine gilded finish to it. It is a more yellow look than we normally see on swords, but it looks good. This sword is very similar to the example shown in the Angolia book on Page 370. Much of this sword has been left plain to show contrast where it occurs. The lion head is a nicely formed cat that is fitted with pink faceted eyes. The cat has good detail to his snout, brow and mane. There is lots of hand-enhancing evident around these areas. The back strap is left plain with the exception of the center area, which flows inward to the side tabs. This area is done up in floral designs with hand-enhancing. The “p” guard also is left plain, with only a little bit of raised floraling at the very top. The ferrule has raised out oak leaf sprigs, the same as the book example. The reverse cross guard features a fine knight style crest over a blank shield. On the obverse, there is a set of crossed cannon, indicating the owner was an artillery man. The cannon have nice floral designs in between. The quillon extends outward, ending in a roaring miniature lion head. Nice-looking hilt here! The grip is a blue/purple color sharkskin. It is in good condition throughout. The sharkskin is wrapped with triple silver wire. These wires are all twisted, with a larger example in the center. There is a brown color cloth portepee attached to this sword. The portepee has a textured strapping and at the slide area, there is a bullion depiction of a lion standing on his hind legs scratching at air with his upper paws. I believe that this is the sign of a Bulgarian piece. The lower ball ends in an oval shape, having yarn-like brown bullion. I don’t know whether this knot is original to the sword, but it looks pretty nice tied around it. The scabbard is a good, straight example. It is a wide scabbard which accommodates a larger proportioned blade. This scabbard has no dents and good, original black paint. The paint is nearly 100% and looks to be in near mint condition. The blade is a wide sort and measures about 31 inches. It is of high quality throughout and has outstanding nickel plated finish. The blade is in mint condition with a wide style fuller. The obverse ricasso is marked with the side-by-side W.K. & C. turn-of-the-century style logo. The original red buffer is in place. A nice looking Imperial sword here.
Excellent Plus Plus. $695.00

SWDSIMP - 047 - 26462 – IMPERIAL JAWLESS ARTILLERY LION HEAD

This Lion head sword is illustrated in the Angolia sword book on Page 368. The hilt has good brass base throughout. It depicts a lion head with a jawless design. There are no glass eyes in this cat. He does have good detail, though, to his whiskers, brow and mane which flows backward. The back spine has a floral detailing around the center. The “p” guard has a shield device in the center with three swords sticking out of the top of it. The cross guard features a pebbled background and ends in a floral device holding a ball. The reverse langet features a blank shield with floral wreath around it. The obverse has raised out crossed cannons with laurel leaves. This depiction shows some wear and has a nice yellow color to its brass base. There may still be gilding throughout which gives it this look. The grip appears to be a sharkskin type and it is in fairly good condition, covering at 100%. This grip is wrapped with triple brass wire, the center being twisted. There is also an old leather portepee, which is still attached to the hilt. The portepee appears to have been a black color at one time, but it shows age now and it is hard to say its original color. The scabbard is a straight example and reflects good nickel plating. The nickel does not look to have been cleaned in years, but I am sure it would come up nice, as there is no rust and no material missing. The scabbard is fitted with dual ring carriage, indicating this sword was worn prior to 1906. It is the same as is shown on Page 68. The blade is a triple-etched 32-inch long example. This blade is in excellent condition. It is not as bright as some I have seen, but I believe it is meant to have this kind of a matte finish. Both sides of the blade depict military themes. There are panels mixed with armor, standartes, drums, spears, etc. The blade appears to be in near full mint condition. The obverse ricasso has the side by side king and knight logo used by the W. K. & C. firm around the turn of the last century. Not a bad sword here, which, with a little effort, will clean up to be really nice.
Excellent Plus. $695.00

SWDSIMP - 048 - 26461 - IMPERIAL MODEL 89 NICKEL CALVARY SWORD

This nickel Calvary sword is very similar to the example shown on Page 379 of the Angolia book. The hilt configuration consists of a flatter style pommel device in the center which retains the tang. The “D” guard is relatively plain, having three openings in the shape of tear drops. The cross guard area has a folding basket which depicts the Prussian eagle. This eagle has a sword in one claw and a scepter in the other. He looks upward and to the left with a crown on his head. The grip is a black Bakelite having ribs for a handhold. Attached through the teardrop openings of the “D” guard is a green, Third Reich NCO style knot. This green and bullion knot may very well be original to the sword, as possibly its original owner was also an NCO in Hitler’s army. The scabbard of this example is nice and straight. It has a nickel plated finish which looks to all be there, however, it has never been cleaned. This scabbard has lots of patination over its surfaces, but I’ll bet it is mint underneath. There are two stationary retaining rings. The long, straight blade of this example is a beauty. It is a high-quality, triple-etched example, measuring over 34 inches in length. It appears to be in bright, mint condition. The etches have beautiful frosted backgrounds and they are of military motif. There is lots of raised out floraling and depictions of standartes, flags and cannon. The spine also has a rather intricate floral style design with beautiful frosted backgrounds. This nice blade is quite impressive. A good, original sword here.
Excellent Plus Plus. $695.00

SWDSIMP - 049 - 26760 - IMPERIAL JAWLESS ARTILLERY SWORD - CARL EICKHORN

This Artillery Sword shows usage and wear, but it should clean up for someone who wants to devote a little time to it. The motif is the jawless lion head with an artillery cannon depicted on the langet. It is of all-brass construction throughout. The “d” guard depicts a shield device with swords coming out of the top. The back strap has a panel of raised out floral devices. The reverse langet has a shield with laurel leaves and the obverse langet features a wreath of laurel leaves with crossed cannon. The grip is a sharkskin example. The sharkskin is worn through at the middle three or four ribs. This grip is still tightly wrapped with triple twisted brass wire. The center wire is of larger dimension. The scabbard of this example is mostly straight, having a small ding just above the lower chape. The original paint is still fairly good, rating at about 85%. The curved blade is a 31-inch example. It still looks pretty good, having nice nickel finish throughout. The edges, though, have been sharpened. This may have been done prior to Word War I, when it was ordered that existing swords be sharpened to stimulate strength amongst the Officer Corps. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the back-to-back squirrel trademark which was the logo of the Carl EIckhorn firm used prior to World War I. This sword is all there, just needs someone to give it some TLC.
Excellent Minus. $395.00

SWDSIMP - 051 -22220R - IMPERIAL GROSSER SIZED PRUSSIAN CALVARY M-89 BASKET HILT DEGEN - Weirberg and Company

This M-89 basket hilt is a very large size degen. It appears to be identical to the piece which is shown in the Angolia sword book on Page 380. The pommel is a relatively square-like cap having a spanner device on type, which retains the tang of the blade. From the pommel is a large basket hilt extension. The basket has three tiers, and in the center, it features a Prussian eagle. The assembly is made of a steel base having bright nickel-plated surfaces. There is minor age in the surfaces but for the most part it is all there and looks good being slightly glitzy. The grip is made of an ebony wood. This ebony is in perfect condition and it is retained with two rivet and spanner hardware devices, which are plated in matching nickel. The ebony grip has a handhold consisting of ten ribs. The straight blade of this example is a large proportion and is 33 inches in length. It has a quill back design on the end. The blade remains nice and bright and is in a near mint condition. This blade has a slab side with single edge and fairly thick spine. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the maker name and location, “Weirberg and Company Solingen.” The original black leather washer is in place. The scabbard is also a nickel-plated version. The plating is still excellent, but unfortunately there is quite a bit of denting throughout the surfaces. This is kind of a shame, especially since the plating is still so nice. There are some property stampings on the reverse area below the throat. They appear to be a stylized capital letter “R” and then a standard capital letter “E” and then a Roman numeral “7” and then a capital letter “A” after that. Beneath these numbers is a smaller stamping, “67.” And above, another smaller stamping “12.” There is a chain and hook assembly attached to the stationary ring. Since this assembly is marked “France,” I do not think it is original to this sword. This is a very large degen and also has a good length. Quite impressive throughout.
Excellent Plus (22220) $695.00

SWDSIMP - 052 - 22218R - IMPERIAL PRUSSIAN TRAIN BATALLION BASKET HILT - Carl Eickhorn

This Train Battalion saber appears the same as the example shown on Page 293 of the Angolia sword book. It features an all nickel basket hilt having three-tier construction. The basket is plain throughout, as is the pommel and backstrap. The grip is a black bake-o-lite variety having 11 rib construction. There is no wire on this bake-o-lite grip and there is no sign that there ever was. The nickel hilt has a golden glow about it, but this may just be caused from old lacquer, which has changed color over the years. The large proportioned saber blade is triple etched. It is 33 inches in length. The obverse is etched with four panels of detail, two being floraling and the other two having military theme, i.e., Prussian eagle, flags, etc., and cross canons, bugle, etc. In the center, is a larger panel which has the raised out identification of the regiment, “WESTPR.TRAIN BAT. NO-17.” Obviously this represents the West Prussian Train Battalion No. 17. The ricasso of the sword is marked “K56.” The blade reverse has more floral designs than the obverse, and it has two more panels featuring military theme, the upper being a Prussian eagle in a shield above crossed flags swords, and the lower being crossed flags over swords, bugle, etc. The spine is etched with flowing laurel leaves. This blade shows some only minor age, but the etches are nice and deep and still look very presentable. This blade is easily in excellent plus, plus to near mint condition. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the back-to-back seated squirrels. This trademark was used by Eichorn throughout World War I. The scabbard is a good straight black painted example. The paint looks to have been touched up over the years and has quite a bit of age in the old surfaces. The repaint, though, is fairly good, but the painter did not bother to sand out the old finish so it is irregular at best. The carrying ring is a stationary type. Train swords are not that common and this is a good one to round out an Imperial collection.
Excellent Plus, Plus (22218) $595.00

SWDSIMP - 053 - 22209R - IMPERIAL SAXON INFANTRY OFFICER DEGEN - W.K. & C.

This Saxon officer hilt is of all brass construction. It is quite beautiful and is identical to the example, which is shown on Page 445 of the Angolia sword book. The pommel cap has the flared out style indicative of a Saxon piece. The backstrap only extends a short distance and has a fine floral design border with enhanced flower in the center. The guard is shaped like a letter, “C” as it flares upward where it comes off the pommel area. It is relatively plain just having line design. It joins into a floraled pierced basket design at the lower. This basket is quite beautiful displaying a Saxon crest having the two lions next to the beehive design and then there are pierced flowers, which make up the rest of the motif. There is a quillon in a teardrop shape which extends outward from the basket. This brass is still very beautiful having a fine gold glisten to it. I would say the gild is still about 85% to 95%. The grip is a blue/purple sharkskin covered example. The sharkskin still remains perfect having nice original color and featuring all of the graining. This grip is tightly wrapped with dual twisted silver wire. These two wires are twisted opposite, making for a nice effect. The 32 ½ inch straight blade is quite interesting being just like the book piece. It has three fullers, which are run its length, terminating a few inches before the tip. This blade is a nickel-plated item and it still reflects a good bright plating which shows only the most nominal of age. This blade grades in near mint condition. The top fuller has the name of a distributor where this sword was purchased “C.A. Westmann Dresden.” Dresden, of course, was the capital city of Saxony. In the lower fuller are the words, “Eisenhauer” and then, “Garantirt.” These words attest to the quality of the steel used in this blade. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the turn of the century king and knighthead side by side with the firm’s initials below, “W.K. & C.” The blade buffer has gone to time. The accompanying scabbard has a few dings in the surfaces and it looks like the old paint has been touched up over the years. The current paint job looks pretty good, but you can still see the old part beneath it. It covers though, at nearly 100% and still looks pretty good. Not a common sword.
Excellent Plus Plus (22209) $650.00

SWDSIMP - 054 - 22214R - IMPERIAL ARTILLERY OFFICER’S LIONHEAD w/ TRIPLE ETCHED BLADE - Clemen & Jung

This Lionhead Sword has an outstanding hilt of highest quality brass construction. The Lionhead has lots of detail to his snout, brow and flowing mane. This cat is fitted with pinkish eyes and they really look terrific against the fine gilded finish of this hilt. The gilding rates at approximately 85% to 90%. The backstrap is finished in a series of floral designs and there is also a flower in the center. A small portion has been left open for the possible use of a monogram. The “P” guard is also a fine hem displaying raised out oak leaves with acorn designs. The lower portion of the guard is finished in floral designs. The quillon has a star-like pattern across its surfaces ending in a further small Lionhead. This cat has a closed mouth and looks rather demure. The ferrule has a series of swirling floral designs. The langet features oak leaves surrounding a pair of crossed cannons. The reverse langet also is quite nice having a shield device and lots of floral designs which reflect hand enhancing. The grip is a sharkskin type. It still retains all of its surfaces and fine graining. The blue/purple color is still mostly all there. This fine grip is tightly wrapped with triple twisted silver wire. This wire is slightly larger in the center. The 32 inch blade is a very impressive example being of a slightly larger proportion than normal. The blade has beautiful highest quality nickel-plating, and other than just a little bit of peeling at the blade tip, this blade is in full mint condition. The obverse and reverse both display a beautiful floral pattern which has a series of raised checkering built into the design. This checkering also has small dots added. (This is a typical Germanic style etch and the same designs can be seen on the Third Reich Luftwaffe general’s degen hilt). The frosting behind this etch is 100% and really sets off the raised out bright work. Beautiful designs here. It is also interesting to note that not only is there a floral designs on the spine but the checker pattern has also been added giving a very pleasurable result. Very fine blade here! The obverse ricasso is deeply stamped with the Clemen & Jung logo. This consists of a crown over a shield. Inside the shield is the letter “Z.” The blade buffer is still in place showing some age. The scabbard of this example, unfortunately, is not in very good condition. It has some dents and dings at the bottom chape area. The painted finish has mostly come off and this scabbard is down to the steel base. The paint only remains at perhaps 10% to 15%. This is not all bad, though, as a new paint job could be easily applied by just removing the rest of the paint residue. With a new paint job and some filling in of the bottom dings, this scabbard could look really nice. There is also a small leather accouterment still retained by the carrying ring. A good looking example here which is worthy of displaying in a set of cradles.
Excellent Plus, Plus (22214) $995.00

SWDSIMP - 055 - 27101 - IMPERIAL NAVAL SABER - NO MAKER

This Imperial Naval saber was apparently made during World War I, as the base metal parts throughout the hilt and the scabbard are made of iron having a gilt finish. The pieces are highly patinated and apparently have not been cleaned in almost 100 years. There are hints of the gilt work underneath and I assume this metal could be cleaned if someone wanted to go through the process. The motif, of course, is a lion head pommel. This cat is a good looking example and is fitted with red and green faceted glass eyes. This same identical sword motif can be seen in my Naval book on Page 446. The book example is also an unmarked piece and is of gilded iron, only the gilting is still quite bright in the book piece. Nevertheless, these are the same sword. The detail to the lion is quite good and his mane runs backward into the back strap. The back strap features a series of raised oak leaves and acorns. A repeat of this motif is followed on the “d” guard. There are signs of hand-enhancing throughout this work and it is quite nicely done. The reverse langet is a folding type with good spring. It is holed and when closed downward, locks the scabbard in place through a male portion on the scabbard obverse beneath the throat area. The obverse features a folding clamshell also with good springs. The clamshell is the same as the book piece, having a pleasing oval design in the center. Raised out of the oval is a fouled anchor with an Imperial crown above. On either side of the oval are more oak leaves and acorns, all in relief. The quillon ends in a teardrop having floral designs. The grip of this example is a toned celluloid. This off-white ivory colored material is in totally perfect condition and is tightly wrapped with a large single twisted iron wire. The scabbard of this example is formed of a black leather shell. This shell is decorated with twin lines on the edges of both sides and sewn up the rear. The leather shows little age and with a little polish should come up to mint. Fitted to the shell are the three Naval style mounts all having traditional Naval engravings. These mounts are patinated exactly like the hilt and there are hints of gilding beneath. The mounts are held in place by staples in the usual manner. The upper and center mount are equipped with eyelets and hanging rings. Maybe the best part of this sword, though, is the fine curved blade. This blade is still bright and shiny, reflecting outstanding nickel plated surfaces. In fact, this triple etched blade is still in near full mint condition. The spine area depicts a series of floral-like designs with frosted backgrounds. The obverse and reverse have nautical themes. Both sides depict fully rigged sailing ships and sea plants beneath. The designs upward from there depict in the center an Imperial crown over a fouled anchor on both sides. Other things to be clearly seen in the designs are a Prussian crowned eagle, a set of crossed sword and spyglass with a compass, a trident, a set of crossed cannons, a set of crossed standarts and a globe having a cannon running through the center and a series of crossed oars behind it. In between are floral designs. There is a lot to study on this beautiful blade. All of this raised etch work is precisely done and still has its original frosting behind it to highlight the workmanship. Even the seagulls above the sailing ships shown on both sides are clearly visible. A really great sword blade here. Overall, a fine example of a wartime produced piece and remaining in relatively nice condition.
Excellent Plus. $1,195.00

SWDSIMP - 056 - 27138 - IMPERIAL NAVAL SABER WITH IVORY GRIP AND DAMASCUS BLADE - CARL EICKHORN

This Imperial Naval saber is very desirable and in choice condition. The saber shows mild overall usage, but absolutely no abuse and remains in a great collectible state. This sword has all of the features that most collectors are looking for. It is the Model No. 348 as manufactured by Carl Eickhorn and a sword with the identical hilt can be seen in my Naval book on Page 441, lower. The hilt of this example is produced of fine quality brass. The pommel, of course, features an outstanding male lion head. This cat has a very long face with high proportioned mane jutting out and upward from his forehead. The cat has hand-enhanced whiskers and brows as well as enhancing to the mane hair flowing backward down the back strap. This beautiful cat is equipped with faceted red and green glass eyes. They look so colorful they almost give life to the metal. The back strap itself has an open center area which would have been reserved for a possible monogram. On either side upward and downward, there are fine floral designs which have much cross checkering and other hand-enhanced chiselings. The “D” guard on the opposite side features more floral motif, being raised out and having hand enhancing and beautiful, intricate motifs. The reverse has a clamshell which is holed to go over the male counterpart at the upper scabbard reverse. The spring is in good shape. The obverse clamshell also has a fine spring mechanism. It is detailed with an angled crown which rests over a chain fouled anchor. The angle is about 45 degrees and is very effective. Surrounding the crown and anchor are raised out floral designs and the plain areas in between have been randomly pebbled. A terrific look here! The quillon ends in a floraled ball. The grip of this example is a beautiful genuine ivory. This ivory has toned to a golden color and there are lots of grains to be viewed throughout the surfaces. This ivory is in perfect condition, having no splits or chips. It is tightly wrapped with twisted triple brass wire. This wire is very tight and quite beautiful, having trapped the residue of the last 100 years in its recesses. Decorating the hilt is a silver bullion sword portepee. It is the type used after 1923, not having the red and black speckles of the Imperial period. This indicates that this saber could have been carried during the Nazi period. This portepee is in what appears to be the period tie and other than showing fine age patination, it is in perfect condition with no fraying. A beautiful naval bullion knot here worth quite a bit on its own. This knot has the typical cat’s anus stuffing we like to see and the stem and slide have the bullion “v” designs in the weave. An outstanding hilt here! The scabbard is composed of a leather shell. This leather is still in good condition, showing little age. It is decorated with twin lines on the edges of both sides and is sewn up the rear. The shell is fitted with matching brass mounts. These mounts have the traditional Naval designs and they are retained by the large size staples often seen on Eickhorn pieces. The upper and center mounts are equipped with eyelets and carrying rings. The blade of this piece is extremely long for a Naval saber. It measures 32 inches. It is a quillback design and is forged in “maiden hair” Damascus. The design pattern is very prominent in the surfaces and there is virtually no age. There are no problems, pitting or stains and this blade virtually grades in near mint condition. A beautiful example here of Imperial Damascus work. The blade ricasso is stamped on the reverse with the back-to-back squirrels. Beneath the rodents are the firm’s initials “CE”. There is also the original felt style blade buffer which has turned quite brown with age. This is a remarkable opportunity to acquire an outstanding Naval saber. This example has really everything if you hare looking to add a Damascus piece to your collection. Pieces of this caliber are rarely seen on the marketplace today. What a wonderful look it would make in a collecting room displayed on a cradle with possibly an Imperial reef jacket, accompanying peaked cap and perhaps even a Damascus naval dirk to totally fill out the grandeur of it all. Just imagine all of the places that this sword must have been. It is a remarkable artifact, and thank goodness it has been properly preserved over the years and from now on will be enjoyed by collectors hopefully through eternity. Don’t miss out on this example if you have been looking for a Damascus naval. Excellent Plus Plus. $3,495.00