Item:
ONSV2923

Original Imperial German WWI Officer's Lion Head Sword by Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautiful classic Lionhead German WWI Artillery Officer's sword. The all brass alloy hilt consists of a finely detailed lion head cat with floral backstrap and "P" guard. The Lion is fitted with blood red faceted "jewel" eyes. Nice detail throughout his whiskers, chin, muzzle, and especially the Lion's Mane. The handwork is beautifully rendered throughout this brass. The "D" guard has crossed swords under a shield, as well as an iron cross motif. The grip ferrule has the classic "Oak leaves and Acorns" design.

The crossguard has plain shields on each chappe, which are arrayed in laurel leaves, with a pebbled background, with lots of hand enhanced details. The brass alloy hilt still has a some of the original gilded finish, making it very attractive. This was most likely mercury gilding, which unfortunately "evaporates" over time. You can also see traces of the gilding at the base of the blade by the crossguard.

The scabbard of this example still has good original factory black lacquer, it is retained at 60%. Unfortunately, there are numerous small scratches and crazing on the scabbard finish, which has resulted in finish loss. There are only a few tiny dents in the steel however, and the shape is almost perfectly straight.

The grip is a very nice black celluloid over a wood base. It is wrapped with three strands of twisted brass wire, with the central strand being much thicker than the outer two. There is some looseness in the wrappings, probably from the celluloid shrinking a bit. The original leather blade buffer is still present, and in great shape.

The 39 1/2 inch blade of this example is in very good condition, and does not show any signs of use or abuse. These were ceremonial swords, and not really intended for cutting. The nickel-plating is just shy of complete, with just a few specs of rust where the plating has worn. The plating does have some oxidation near the cross guard, but it could probably be polished out. We have left it as is to preserve the patina. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the trademark "Knights-Head" logo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen, over the firms initials of WKC. Unfortunately the chappe/rainguard completely covers this area, so photographing the logo is impossible.

Overall an very good condition high quality sword from a legendary German sword maker, based in Solingen, the "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Ready to hang on the wall!

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