Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely patinated example of the rare and desirable "Scharnhorst" variation of the Feldherrn Serie (Commander Series) of German Army Officer's swords by famed firm Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Named after famous figures in German history, many of which were high ranking military officers, the series has a total of nine different variations. These are usually referred to as the Feldmarschall (Field Marshal) series by collectors, even though only four of the nine actually held that rank. These included the Wrangel, Scharnhorst, Freiherr vom Stein, Roon, Derfflinger, Zieten, and Blücher patterns. The Prinz Eugen and Lützow patterns were added in 1938 and 1939, which are the rarest patterns to find.

The swords were made based on drawings by Paul Casberg, and included to "Dove's Head" and "Lion's Head" designs. These drawings in many cases are still in existence, and the earliest drawing, for the “Wrangel” pattern, is dated 1936, while the last drawings, for the “Blücher” and “Roon” patterns, are dated 1938. This means that the swords were not necessarily released in the order that they were designed, however the Wrangel is generally accepted to be the earliest type produced. Many other makers made some similar designs to the series. We have had many examples of the series previously, but we have only had a "Scharnhorst" a few times previously.

The Pattern 1706 - Scharnhorst sword is named after General Gerhard Johann David Waitz von Scharnhorst (12 November 1755 – 28 June 1813), who was a Prussian General and Chief of Staff noted for his reforms of the army and for leadership during the Napoleonic Wars. This pattern features a great looking leopard or lion head with brows that jut out well over the faceted red eyes. The detailing to the head of this cat is outstanding, with handwork evident on the lower jaw, whiskers, muzzle, brow and even to the mane which flows partially down the backstrap. It features a less ornate grip than some of the other patterns, with simple leaf and acorn designs on the back strap, "P"-guard and ferrule. However, the detail on the leaves is exquisite. It also has the characteristic rectangular style side tabs of the pattern.

This piece is a real treasure as it is not constructed from the later war aluminum, but rather is made of solid brass, which was originally gilded. That finish has now worn away for the most part, retained in the recesses of the design and on the guard, and it now displays a nice dark orange patina from oxidation of the brass. The cross guard has a Wehrmacht closed-winged eagle which looks to the viewer's left. This art-deco eagle has fine crispness to his eye, breast feathering and raised out swas within a wreath. The reverse of the crossguard has a shield where a monogram is sometimes added, however this example is blank. The grip is of carved wood covered in black celluloid. This celluloid is in good condition and remains very shiny, not showing any cracks, just some light age related degradation. The grip is tightly wrapped with a 4 thread skein of aluminum wires, the center two being twisted together. The top of the cross guard is hilt is stamped D.R.P. (Deutches Reich Patent), indicating that it is a protected patented design. The Field Marshall series was an Eickhorn exclusive, and they definitely wanted to protect the specific designs. The hilt is secure on the grip, with only the ferrule showing some movement.

The blade on this sword is an excellent example. It measures 33 1/4" inches and has the highest quality nickel plating. This plating is still bright with only small spots of wear and oxidation. There are no edge nicks, just a few tiny dents, and as is correct the blade has never been sharpened. There is a minor bend about 1/2" from the tip, which we have left intact. The original leather washer is still in place showing a bit of age.

The rear ricasso of the blade under the langet is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and the firm's name and location, Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The steel scabbard of this example is in very good condition, showing a mostly straight body with no bends or major dents. It has probably about 75% of the original black enamel paint present. Most of the body shows a lot of checking and crazing in the finish due to age, with areas of finish flaking that has now oxidized. The hanger ring is intact, as is the rectangular loop on the side for "hitching up" the sword to a hanger clip indoors.

This is a very nice example of the highly desirable Field Marshall series of swords, made by the most legendary of all Solingen makers. If you were looking for a lovely sword to hang on the wall, this may be it!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 33 1/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 38 1/4“
Guard dimensions: 5" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 35”

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.