Original Item: Only One Available. This is an item that simply reeks of romance! In use for centuries, the German Hirschfänger (Deer Catcher) long hunting daggers or cutlasses have always made lovely display pieces, as well as military sidearms. Many of the early bayonets used by the various German States were based on the Hirschfänger design, which is both simple and elegant, almost a short sword in practical terms.

This is a great WWI Era Hirschfänger set, with a great scabbard, featuring a second slot that contains a small skinning knife which is also triple-etched! While only the short sword itself is marked by Clemen & Jung, we have no doubt that the entire set came from Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany, the edged weapon center for the entire German Empire.

The short sword has lovely stag horn grips, fitted with brass, which now has matured to a lovely mustard patina. It is simply lovely, with a slightly curved grip, and a gently curved "S" shaped crossguard that has each end terminate in a lovely Deer's hoof. There is also a scallop shell guard on one side, much like those seen on earlier "hunting sword pistols", which in this case would help to hold the skinning knife in place. It is in a clam-shape. There are three oval studs attached to one side of the grip, which we have seen on other examples, and the pommel is a very nice dome shape.

The reverse ricasso of the blade 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.

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 blade is "triple-etched", and on the spine there is still a very faint marking visible in the light, which we were not able to photograph:

MOHR & SPEYER, HOFLIEFERANTEN, BERLIN

The company Mohr & Speyer was a purveyor to the court and traded in military effects. In addition to Berlin (Jägerstraße 75, Friedrichstraße 172), there were shops in Metz, Strasbourg and Mulhouse (Alsace).

The sides of the blade are etched with hunting and military motifs on both sides, though due to wear the etching is very faint, and can only be seen in the light. There is a panel on one side with two hunting hounds beneath a tree chasing a buck or moose. There are also lovely foliate designs as well as stands of arms, and the spine has a repeating laurel leaf motif. The blade does show use, and has been sharpened near the tip area, which is the functional part of the blade, intended to stab the wounded quarry and deliver the final blow. There are some small nicks on the end of the blade, as well as scratches. Overall the blade shows light oxidation, and definitely has been cleaned multiple times.

The skinning knife is a very gorgeous & matching example with the same oval stud as seen on the short sword’s handle. The blade is also similarly triple-etched with a depiction of a buck & doe in the forest. What a lovely addition. 

The leather scabbard, like the knives, is completely fit with bass that shows traces of gilding, now faded to a lovely ptina, and has a lovely "acorn" shaped frog stud on the front. It fits the Hirschfänger well, and just looks great. There is some wear to the finish, but nothing major. It is correctly inlet for the skinning knife, which fits in well.

A lovely German upmarket Hirschfänger set complete with the original skinning knife, ready to display!

Specifications (Short Sword):-
Blade Length: 16 1/4"
Blade Style: Hirschfänger Single Edged
Overall length: 22 1/8“
Crossguard: 4 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 16 7/8"

Specifications (Skinning Knife):-
Blade Length:4 3/8"
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 8 1/8“