Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII early Luftwaffe officer sword manufactured by E. & F. Hörster of Solingen. It features early nickel alloy hilt and scabbard fittings, brass sunwheel emblems, an excellent nickel plated 27 1/4" blade with inspection marking, Moroccan blue leather grip and scabbard covering, and its original leather blade buffer.

Early Luftwaffe swords such as this were fitted with substantial nickel alloy mounts and inset brass sunwheel style mobile swas emblems. Later production increasingly used aluminum fittings, giving these early examples a distinctly heavier construction and a more pronounced aged patina.

The hilt fittings remain in very good condition. They may originally have carried a silver colored plated finish, but nearly all of that surface is now absent, leaving the nickel alloy exposed with oxidation throughout.

The pommel and crossguard retain their inset brass sunwheel emblems. The brass has developed an attractive orange toned oxidation. There is some denting to the sunwheel on one side.

The pommel has well-defined raised rims with only a few dents and scratches. Its circumference is decorated with crisply stamped oak leaves and acorns.

The crossguard remains sharp and well detailed, particularly across the feathering of the downward pointing quillons. Some original plating survives near the center, while most of the remaining surface shows exposed and oxidized nickel alloy.

The grip has a wood core covered in original Moroccan blue leather. The leather remains in very good condition and retains most of its natural grain.

Wear is present along the raised portions, but it appears confined to the surface of the leather and does not expose the wooden core.

The original double twisted bullion grip wire remains complete. Its plated surface has worn through over much of the wrap, exposing the copper colored base material beneath.

The blade measures approximately 27 1/4" and is especially well preserved. Its nickel plated surface remains bright and is in excellent overall condition, with only light scabbard runner wear visible across the flats.

The edge is free from noticeable dents and nicks. The needle-like point remains intact and straight, with no bending. Approximately the final 3mm at the tip has lost its plated finish.

There is minor scattered oxidation spotting together with light swirling from past cleaning. Despite these small condition issues, the blade remains one of the strongest features of the sword.

The original Moroccan blue leather blade buffer remains in place above the crossguard. It shows expected age and service wear.

The reverse ricasso is marked:

E. & F. HÖRSTER
SOLINGEN

within an oval lozenge marking surrounding the firm’s trademark of a downward pointing sword piercing the interlocking HHS initials.

E. & F. Hörster & Co Gmbh, is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, which marketed many fine edged weapons. Originally founded in 1850 as "Friedrich Hörster" in 1850, the company was renamed to E. & F. Hörster in 1870 at the behest of Friedrich Emil & Fritz Hörster. The firm lasted long after WWII, finally being declared insolvent in 1996. For more information please see the definitive reference work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS by J. Anthony Carter.

Above the maker mark is a Weimar style eagle inspection stamp. This pattern of eagle continued to be used as a Luftwaffe weapons inspection or acceptance mark during the Third Reich period.

The scabbard body remains straight with no detectable dents. The shell is constructed from a non-magnetic metal and retains its original Moroccan blue leather covering.

The leather remains in very good condition. It shows scattered scuffs and bruising, but there are no areas of complete tearing or loss.

The rear seam remains fully adhered with no visible separation.

The scabbard mounts are matching nickel alloy and have developed a rich aged patina. Some areas have taken on an orange tone where surface wear and oxidation have exposed copper colored components within the alloy.

The original leather sword hanger is missing.

With its desirable early nickel alloy fittings, brass sunwheel emblems, crisp Hörster trademark, Waffen inspection marking, exceptionally bright nickel plated blade, intact needle point, complete Moroccan blue leather grip and scabbard covering, and straight scabbard body, this is a particularly attractive early Luftwaffe officer sword. The lost plating, nickel oxidation, grip wire finish loss, light runner wear, tip plating loss, minor spotting, cleaning swirls, leather scuffs, and missing hanger are fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Luftwaffe officer, E. & F. Hörster, Solingen edged weapon, German military sword, or advanced WWII collection.

Specifications:

Blade Length: 27 1/4"
Blade Style: Double Edge w/ Partial Fuller
Overall length: 34 3/8“
Crossguard: 5 1/4"
Scabbard length: 29 1/8”