Original Item: Only One Available. This Army Dove Head Sword is a very nice example, produced by the renowned Solingen-based firm of WKC Waffenfabrik, previously Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie. It comes complete with its original black enamel steel scabbard, which is also in very good shape.

The hilt on this example is the classic gilt brass alloy, not the later war plated aluminum. Unlike most that we see, it still retains a good amount amount of the original gilding overall, which is just a bit better retained in the recesses of the design. There is no major patination or oxidation on the raised areas, just a bit at the very top of the eagle, so it was definitely well taken care of. Really a lovely looking hilt, with all of the details still there. The dove head hilt on this pattern is plain, showing engraved German "oak leaf and acorn" motifs on the back strap, side tabs, and guard. The cross guard langet has a lovely "spread-wing" Wehrmachtadler eagle that looks to the left, while the reverse langet has a shield shaped field where a monogram could be added, but this example as blank. There is lots of hand enhancing and the leaves all show a pebbled texture.

The grip of this example is a black celluloid over a carved wood base. The celluloid is still in very good condition with no cracking or chipping, showing very little wear. The grip is wrapped with triple pairs of twisted wire, the center set being larger in diameter,, which now show a lovely matured patina. The wrapping is a bit loose, with some twisted strands out of place, but all are still present. There is a bit of play on all of the hilt components, but nothing out of the ordinary.

The blade is 30 3/4 inches long, with the original leather blade washer in place, showing some cracking from age. This blade is of highest quality steel, originally fully nickel-plated, but now showing some oxidation on both sides, as well as dents, dings, and scuffs. We imagine at some point it was used for "sword fighting" after capture, but we have no way of knowing then this occurred. The blade is still correctly unsharpened, but there are some nicks in the edge.

The ricasso is stamped with the trademark "Knight's Helmet" (Ritter-helm) over WKC logo of legendary maker WKC Waffenfabrik GmbH of Solingen. 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. Unfortunately the chappe/rainguard completely covers the logo, which makes it impossible to photograph.

Per J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD 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 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 steel scabbard of this example is very good shape, still straight and dent free. It still retains about 90% of the original factory black enamel finish, which shows just a bit of wear and chipping, mostly around the hanger ring, and there is some oxidation where the finish is missing.. There is also a lovely pattern of checking and crazing in the enamel, confirming the age. It still retains both throat screws, the hanger loop, and the slot for hitching up the sword to the belt when indoors.

Overall a lovely example of a German Army Officer Dove Head sword from a legendary maker, complete with scabbard. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Overall length: 36”
Blade length: 30 3/4”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Guard dimensions: 5" width x 4 ½” length
Scabbard Length: 32"

The German Army (German: Heer, was the land forces component of the Wehrmacht, the German armed forces, from 1935 to 1945. The Wehrmacht also included the Kriegsmarine (Navy) and the Luftwaffe (Air Force). During World War II, a total of about 15 million soldiers served in the German Army, of whom about seven million became casualties. Separate from the army, the Waffen-SS (Armed SS) was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. Growing from three regiments to over 38 divisions during World War II, it served alongside the army but was never formally part of it.

Only 17 months after AH announced publicly the rearmament program, the Army reached its projected goal of 36 divisions. During the autumn of 1937, two more corps were formed. In 1938, four additional corps were formed with the inclusion of the five divisions of the Austrian Army after the Anschluss in March. During the period of its expansion by Adolf AH, the German Army continued to develop concepts pioneered during World War I, combining ground (Heer) and air (Luftwaffe) assets into combined arms teams. Coupled with operational and tactical methods such as encirclements and the "battle of annihilation", the German military managed quick victories in the two initial years of World War II, prompting the use of the word Blitzkrieg (literally lightning war, meaning lightning-fast war) for the techniques used.

The German Army entered the war with a majority of its infantry formations relying on the horse for transportation. The infantry remained foot soldiers throughout the war; artillery also remained primarily horse-drawn. The motorized formations received much attention in the world press in the opening years of the war, and were cited as the main reason for the success of the German invasions of Poland (September 1939), Norway and Denmark (April 1940), Belgium, France and Netherlands (May 1940), Yugoslavia (April 1941) and the early campaigns in the Soviet Union (June 1941). However their motorized and tank formations accounted for only 20% of the Heer's capacity at their peak strength.