German Imperial and Third Reich Swords

This is an extremely rare presentation sword, presented by the 2nd Marine-Infantry Division (later known as Marine-Infanterie Flandern) to First Sergeant Günsch on the occasion of his battlefield commission to Offiziers-Stellvertreter (possibly Leutnant) for his actions during the Battle of Flanders at the St. Eloi Craters on 29 March 1916.

The 30-1/4 inch blade is fancy pattern weld Damascus with wide rounded spine running 19 inches from the hilt and continuing the length of the blade to the tip. There is an 11-1/4 inch false edge. There is a twin squirrels and C.E. maker mark on the 1-1/2 inch ricasso. There are some freckles and darkness on the blade from age and field use. There are a few minor parry marks on the edge, not noticeable except by feel. The gilding on the blade is virtually gone, with traces remaining around the inscription (Unserem Kompagniefeldwebel zur Beförderung am 29.III.1916 [To our company sergeant on the occasion of his promotion on 29 March 1916]) and on the ricasso.

The gilt on the hilt and knuckle bow is worn and tarnished. The ivory grip has a 1 inch hairline crack (no gap). The original green and red jeweled eyes are intact and present. The springs for the folding langet and clamshell guard are tight and functional. The single twisted pair wire wrap on the grip is tight and intact. It is named to Günsch on the langet.

There is no scabbard.

These are close-up images of the hilt, right and left and the knuckle bow. Note the green and red glass eyes on the lion.

This is a scarce Damascus steel sword with KM lion's head with green and red eyes (the green has turned virtually clear), with folding guards with fouled anchor and acorn with oak leaves embellishments.  The knuckle bow is covered with oak leaves and acorns.

The 28-1/4 inch blade is subtle pattern weld Damascus with wide single fuller running 22 inches from the ricasso and continuing the length of the blade to the tip. There is a slight 6 inch false edge. There are no maker marks, engravings or etching on the blade on either side. There are some freckles and darkness on the blade from age and routine use. There are a few minor parry marks on the edge, not noticeable except by feel. It measures 33-1/2 inches overall.

The hilt is white metal with traces of the original gilt. The lion's head and knuckle bow show very minor wear and deep tarnish. The ivory colored plastic wire wrapped grip has some damage apparent in the images. The original green (now clear) and red jeweled eyes are intact and present. The springs for the folding langet and clamshell guard are tight and functional. The single twisted pair wire wrap on the grip is tight and intact.

There is no scabbard.

These are close-up images of the hilt, right and left and the overall right and left.

The 17-1/2 inch blade is plain with a single wide fuller on each side. There is a modest false edge on the top running from the tip back 3 inches along the spine. The blade was designed for stabbing and not sharpened for slash or cutting tasks. The blade is not maker marked. The blade is very dark throughput. The sword measures 23 inches long overall.

The cast grip is in very good condition with approximately 75% of the original plate remaining. There is no scabbard.

These are close-up images of the grip, right and left, as well as the bottom and top.  This is a very fancy hunting scene featuring a number of dogs, two hunters, and a bear in a tree.  There is some scrollwork and floral embellishment.

The 29-1/2 inch long sword blade is maker marked W.K. & C with king and knight marks. The sword has double 26 inch long fullers on each side. The sword is 35-3/4 inches long overall.

These are overall views of the right side, the left, right and the imperial cipher on the pommel cap.

The grip is shark skin with the typical twisted wire. There is no scabbard with this sword.

The 33 inch long sword blade is maker marked W.K. & C with king and knight marks.  There is engraving on one side with EISENHAUER (Iron Proof quality marking) and the Wuerttemberg coat of arms.  The back of the sword is etched with CHR. LEIBBRAND LUDWIGSBURG. The sword has double 28 inch long fullers on each side.

These are overall views of the left sides, the left, back and front views of the grip area, the KR cipher and the maker mark.

The grip is shark skin with the typical twisted wire (the wires are loose). There is no scabbard with this sword.

This sword measures 36-1/2 inches long overall with a 32 inch double engraved blade with each side having the motto In Treue Fest.  The grip is mother of pearl inset in silver plated brass.  There is some scratching to the soft MOP and the silver plate is very worn.

Specific areas of this sword are shown at the links below:

•  Hilt, left side

•  Hilt, right side

The ricasso is not marked with a maker name nor identification numbers.

The condition is generally very good, with some deep tarnish and some nicks to the knuckle bows of the brass hilt and moderate wear on the grip, visible in the images.  The blade is near excellent with moderate signs of darkness.

This sword measures 39 inches long overall with a 34 inch double engraved blade, with etched back.  One side has the unit identification, the other side has the usual horse, artillery pieces and stands of arms.  The grip is pebble grain cloth with the usual twisted wire wraps.  All the wires are tight, intact and complete.

Specific areas of this sword are shown at the links below:

•  Hilt, left side

•  Hilt, right side

•  Etch

The ricasso is not marked with a maker name nor identification numbers.

The condition is generally very good, with some deep tarnish and some nicks to the knuckle bows of the brass hilt and moderate wear on the grip, visible in the images.  The blade is near excellent with virtually no signs of darkness.

There is no scabbard with this sword.

The 30-1/2 inch blade is plain with a single wide 22 inch fuller on each side. There is a false edge on the top running from the tip back 7-12 inches along the spine. The blade was designed for dress and ceremonial wear and not sharpened for slash or cutting tasks. The blade is maker marked, partially obscured, shown here.  The letters "??ILLER & C??" and WIEN and ???TSKASERN" are readable. The blade is bright steel with some moderate darkening in spots. The sword measures 36 inches long overall.

The twisted single pair wire brass grip is in very good condition with no significant damage other than minor minor tarnish. The original leather on steel scabbard is missing some pieces of the original black leather and has moderate wear throughout.

These are overall images of the sword, right and left and the back side of the hilt.

The 34 inch blade is plain with wide shallow 22-inch fullers on each side running from 1 inch above the ricasso. The blade is maker marked with the WKC knight's helm mark on the ricasso. There are some very light freckles on the blade, and one small area of darkness that can be worked out.

The original wire is in very good condition, with some minor looseness. There is some wear to the gilt on the aluminum handle from routine use. The scabbard is in near excellent condition. The drag was been repainted long ago.

Here are overall images of the front and back. These are close-up images of the hilt, right and left and the knuckle bow. Note the red glass eyes on the lion.

The 27-1/2 inch blade is plain with a single wide 23 inch fuller on each side. There is no false edge. The blade was designed for dress and ceremonial wear and not sharpened for slash or cutting tasks. The blade is not maker marked. The blade is bright steel with some very minor dark freckles in a few spots. The sword measures 33 inches long overall.

The twisted single pair wire brass grip is in very good condition with no significant damage other than minor minor tarnish. The original leather on steel scabbard is missing some pieces of the original black leather and has moderate wear throughout.

These are overall images of the sword, right and left and the back side of the hilt.

The 32-1/2 inch blade is plain with wide shallow 22-inch fullers on each side running from 1 inch above the ricasso. The blade is maker marked with the Eickhorn Squirrel and Acorn mark on the ricasso. There is a GES. GESCH stamped into the bottom of the guard. The plain blade is near mint throughout.

The original wire and grip is in excellent condition. The scabbard is in near excellent condition, with all original paint. There is very minor wear to the paint around the movable single ring. It is in almost unissued condition.

Here are overall images of the front and back. These are close-up images of the hilt, right and left.

The 29-1/2 inch blade is plain with wide shallow 19-inch fullers on each side running from 1 inch above the ricasso. The blade is maker marked with the F. W. HÖLLER SOLINGEN and thermometer mark on the ricasso. The plain blade is near mint throughout.

The original leather grip is in excellent condition. The scabbard is in near very good condition, with 95% original paint.

Here are overall images of the front and back. These are close-up images of the hilt, right and left.

The sword and scabbard are in all-aluminum fittings.  The pommel has more than 95% of the original gilt on the swastika emblems remaining.

The 26-1/4 inch blade is plain with narrow 10-inch fullers on each side running from the ricasso. The blade is maker marked with the SMF SOLINGEN and seated king mark on the ricasso.The plain blade is near mint throughout.

The original wire and grip is in excellent condition. The scabbard is in near excellent condition, with all original leather. There is very minor wear to the leather from occasional use and routine wear. It is in almost unissued condition. The throat is stamped LP. P.17. These are views of the drag front and rear.

Here are overall images of the front and back. These are close-up images of the hilt, front and rear.

This die is complete and intact with no flaws.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete and intact with no flaws.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete however, there are several cracks on the face.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete and intact without flaws.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete with one minor flaw, a single crack 1/3 of the way up from the tip.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete with one minor flaw, a single crack 1/4 of the way up from the tip.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete and intact with no flaws.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete and intact with no flaws.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete and intact with one very minor flaw -- a partial crack that does not touch the sword 1/8 the way up from the bottom.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete and intact with one very minor flaw -- a crack at the very tip of the pommel cap 3/8 inch from the top.

This is an close-up view of the upper detail.

This die is complete and intact.

This scabbard needs restoration work. All of the parts are present except one screw at the throat scroll.

The paint shows moderate to heavy wear, with rust bubbling and dents front and rear and a very slight bend 9 inches from the bottom. The nickel plate is bubbling and flaking in places. There has been no restoration work done to this original scabbard.

The throat is SS marked, as shown here. This is the reverse side of the throat scroll. This is the overall front and rear views. This is the drag, shown front and rear.

With some work, this scabbard can be restored. It is priced accordingly.

This sword blade needs restoration work. It is intact and complete with 5/8 inches of threads, a nice sharp point (never repointed).

The blade shows moderate rust and some shallow pitting on approximately 5% of the exposed surfaces, front and rear, virtually all of it at the upper 15-1/2 inches of the blade. There has been no restoration work done to this original blade.

The ricasso is Original Eickhorn Solingen marked, as shown at the left. It is also deeply stamped with a "P" on the same side on the tang. The reverse side is not marked. This is the overall front and rear views.

With some work, this blade can be restored. It is priced accordingly.