Original item: Only One Available. A wonderful saber we just got in! Despite the machine guns and artillery, swords were still issued to officers in WWI. This is a fine example of the German Artillery Officer's Sword, commonly referred to as the "Blücher Sabel," named for the Prussian Commander Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, who was ally to the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

This example is in very good service used condition, showing very nice blade condition, with only a few areas of light oxidation on the otherwise solid blade. The machining marks can even still be seen on most of the blade body. The blade has been sharpened, and there are a few small nicks, but it is still quite nice. It is stamped on the upper spine near the hilt is a small Crown over W over 16 for Kaiser Wilhelm II 1916, the year it was accepted into service. Under this is a sub inspector marking.

The blade of the sword is maker marked with F. W. HÖLLER / SOLINGEN, which is stamped under the rain guard (chappe), making it it quite hard to see and impossible to photograph. This is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons. F.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory), located in Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. The firm was founded in 1866, and registered in Solingen in 1883. By 1900 ownership had passed to Emil Höller, and it continued manufacture after WWII, finally closing in 1974. We have seen example of this maker on 98/05 bayonets previously, however they seem to have been much more active in military production during WWII. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS.

The blade still retains the leather blade buffer, though it is a bit worn, and the sword has a very nice wooden ribbed grip, which are somewhat more rare to find on wartime produced examples when compared to the rubber grip. It features the characteristic single knuckle bow hand guard. There are various proof marks on hilt and blade, and this sword comes with the original all steel scabbard, which is in very good condition. It still retains a good amount of the original blued finish, especially near the throat. It does have some denting on the body, but no real bends, and none of this interferes with the sheathing of the blade.

The crossguard of the saber is regimentally marked with 4. A. R., which would stand for the 4. Artillerie-Regiment. There is however no specification of whether it is for a Feldartillerie-Regiment (Field Artillery Regiment) or a Fußartillerie-Regiment (Foot Artillery Regiment). So it could be for either the 4th (Magdeburg) Field Artillery "Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria" or 4th (Magdeburg) Foot Artillery "Encke" regiment. The scabbard is non-matching, marked with 9. R. A. 1. 77., for the 9th Reserve Artillery Regiment.

A most desirable Imperial German WWI Artillery Officer's "Blücher Sabel" with scabbard, ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Overall length: 35”
Blade length: 29 3/4”
Handguard: 5 1/4”L x 6 1/4"W
Scabbard length: 31”