Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautiful classic Lionhead German Pre-WWII Heer Army Artillery Officer's sword, which features a more substantial nickel-plated blade than we usually see. The gilt all brass alloy hilt consists of a finely detailed lion head with a "starburst" backstrap and "P" guard. Nicely detailed throughout his whiskers, chin, muzzle, and especially the Lion's Mane. The handwork is beautifully rendered throughout this brass, and the original gilt finish is very well retained. The "P" guard has a smalls shield on it with "bank note" style acanthus leaves around it, and there are floral accents at either end. The guard terminates in a lovely small lion's head, and the grip ferrule shows a lovely foliate pattern. The chappe / rain guard displays the artillery "crossed cannons" emblem, while the reverse is blank, and does not have any monogram marked.

The grip of this example is a black celluloid over a carved wood base. The celluloid is still in excellent condition, showing only light wear, and has no chips or cracks we can see. The grip is wrapped with a skein of 6 wires, twisted into pairs with the center two being slightly larger in diameter. The wrapping is mostly tight to the covering and free of oxidation, though there is a strand missing on the wrapping closest to the guard. The hilt is still tight to the blade, with no movement we can feel.

The 32 3/4 inch blade of this sword is in very good condition, with the plating in great shape overall, though unfortunately at some point the edge of the blade was sharpened, removing the plating in that area. The blade is also close to 1 inch wide at the ricasso, definitely a bit wider than these usually are. These were originally intended ceremonial swords, and not really intended for cutting, but we sometimes see them sharpened during the war for use, and also many were sharpened post war. We do not see any other issues with the blade. The original red felt blade buffer is still present, showing wear.

The reverse ricasso of the blade under the langet is marked with "Crowned Z Shield" trademark of Clemen & Jung Waffenfabrik (Weapons Factory) of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in the mountains of Western Germany. Unfortunately due to the angle there is no way for us to photograph this, and it is also partly obscured by rust. However it is also marked on the top of the guard with the trademark logo, over GESCHÜTZ MUSTER, indicating that it is a protected design.

This company was founded in 1860, and rapidly gained numerous domestic and foreign contracts for edged weapons. They entered the Solingen Commercial Register in 1876, and in 1898 registered the "Crowned Shield" logo, which has the letter Z inside the shield. This previously had been another maker's trademark, but it was transferred to Clemen & Jung. The company supplied many edged weapons for the First World War, and continued during the interwar period, and into the Third Reich period. For more information please see GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter, pages 132-134.

The steel scabbard of this example is in good condition, still retaining the original black enamel lacquer, which shows crazing and checking from age throughout. There are a few areas of flaking, which has allowed the steel to oxidize, and there are also some bends in the scabbard, which do not interfere with sheathing the blade. To accommodate the wider blade, the scabbard is wider than usual, and has no square loop on the side.

Overall a very good condition high quality Pre WWII German Artillery Officer’s Sword by a well-known Solingen maker. Ready to hang on the wall!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 32 3/4"
Overall length: 38 3/4”
Handguard: 4" W x 4 3/4"L
Scabbard Length: 34”