Original Item: Only One Available. The Gardes du Corps (Regiment der Gardes du Corps) was the personal bodyguard of the king of Prussia and, after 1871, of the German Emperor (in German, the Kaiser). The unit was founded in 1740 by Frederick the Great, and initially, the Regiment was used in part as a training unit for officers as part of a program of expansion of the cavalry. Early officers included the rake and memoirist Friedrich von der Trenck, who described the arduous life of sleep deprivation and physical stress endured by officers, as well as the huge cost of belonging to the unit (the cuirasses, for example, were silverplated at a time when the precious metal was exceptionally expensive).

Unlike the rest of the Imperial German Army after German unification in 1871, the Garde du Corps was recruited nationally and was part of the 1st Guards Cavalry Division. The Regiment wore a white cuirassier uniform with certain special distinctions in full dress. These included a red tunic for officers in court dress and a white metal eagle poised as if about to rise from the bronze helmet on which it sat. Other unique features of the regiment's full dress worn until 1914 included a red sleeveless Supraweste (vest) with the star of the Order of the Black Eagle on front and back and the retention of black iron cuirasses edged with red which had been presented by the Russian Tsar in 1814. These last replaced the normal white metal breastplates on certain special occasions.

Here we have a lovely late 19th Century M1871 Hirschfänger Short Sword, which would be carried by a Garde du Corps Oberjäger trooper. The design is based on the Hirschfänger (Deer Catcher) long hunting daggers in use in the German area for centuries. Bayonets for the Mauser 1871 Rifle were made based on this design, and this then evolved into the short sword for the Garde du Corps. It features a lovely brass hilt with an Eagle's Head pommel, and the blade is etched with the motto Vive le Roi et ses Chasseurs (Long live the King and his Hunters), the motto of the Garde jäger troops.

Condition of the sword is very good, showing a lovely aged patina on the brass hilt, while the blade shows wear from repeated cleaning over the past 100+ years. The edge is completely blunt now, though there is some sign of sharpening on the edge from long ago. The leather blade buffer is still present, and the handle is a bit loos on the tang.

The blade is marked on the ricasso with the double trademark "King's Helmet" (Ritter-helm) alongside a "Kings's Head" (königskopf) logo of legendary German maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen, over the firms initials of W.K & C.. This trademark is used on privately purchased blades and walking out bayonets in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is absolutely correct for this sword.

This company is a famous manufacturer of military swords and cutlery in Solingen, Germany - a city famous since the middle ages for its metal-working and craftsmanship in sword making. Per J. Anthony Carter's fine work GERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS, the traditional manufacturing of swords at WKC dates back to the year 1774 when the Weyersberg first registered the ''Kings head'' as their trademark. Later in 1883 the company merged with the Kirschbaums and the company Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was formed, which continued into the Weimar Period. It was then rebranded as W.K.C. Waffenfabrik GmbH, and produced many edged weapons during the NSDAP Period. The company is still in operation today.

The included scabbard is lovely, made from black finished leather with brass fittings, which have a lovely patina matching the hilt. As is often seen on Hirschfänger scabbards, the frog button is in the shape of an acorn.

A lovely Oberjäger Hirschfänger Short Sword with Scabbard, made by a legendary Solingen maker! This is the first example of one of these rare swords that we have ever had! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 17 1/2"
Blade Style: Hirschfänger Single Edged
Overall length: 22 1/2“
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 17 1/2"