{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-field-marshal-series-lion-head-zieten-pattern-army-officer-sword-by-carl-eickhorn-with-scabbard","title":"Original German WWII Field Marshal Series Lion Head Zieten Pattern Army Officer Sword by Carl Eickhorn with Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a great example of the \u003cem\u003e\"Zieten\"\u003c\/em\u003e variation of the popular \u003cem\u003eFeldherrn Serie\u003c\/em\u003e (Commander Series) of German Army Officer's swords by famed firm \u003cstrong\u003eCarl Eickhorn of Solingen\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cem\u003eFeldmarschall\u003c\/em\u003e (Field Marshal) series by collectors, even though only four of the nine actually held that rank. These included the Wrangel, Scharnhorst,\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eFreiherr vom Stein, Roon, Derfflinger, \u003cstrong\u003eZieten\u003c\/strong\u003e, and Blücher patterns. The Prinz Eugen and Lützow patterns were added in 1938 and 1939, which are the rarest patterns to find.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \"Zieten\" a few times previously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Pattern 1734 - Zieten\u003c\/strong\u003e sword is named after \u003cem\u003eHans Joachim von Zieten\u003c\/em\u003e (14 May 1699 – 26 January 1786), a legendary Prussian Cavalry General during the 18th Century. He served in four wars and was instrumental in several victories during the reign of Frederick the Great, most particularly at Hohenfriedberg and Torgau. He is also well known for a raid into the Habsburg territories during the Second Silesian War, known as Zieten's Ride. After engaging in a reputed 74 duels, and fighting in four wars, he died in his bed at the age of 86.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Zieten Pattern is a very difficult Field Marshall example to find. It is particularly desirable due to the flat knuckle bow as well the great Art Deco look. It is very similar to the Derrflinger Pattern except for it being a Lion’s Head as opposed to Dove’s head. It is very beautifully ornamented and is distinct to the style. This only the fourth example of a Zieten that we have had, and they seem to be less popular than the other styles. This piece is also a real treasure as it is not constructed from the later war aluminum, but rather is made of solid brass. It really looks magnificent, retaining much of the finely gilded finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grip is of carved wood covered in black celluloid, which is in good condition and remains shiny, though there are some repaired cracks near the bottom. The grip is tightly wrapped with a skein of three pairs of twisted brass wires, the center two being wider. The top of the cross guard is hilt is stamped \u003cstrong\u003eD.R.P.\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating that the design is protected by a German patent. The hilt is secure on the grip, with only the ferrule exhibiting some wobble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade on this sword is an excellent example. It measures 31 3\/4 inches and has the highest quality nickel plating. This plating is still bright with only small spots of wear and oxidation. There is a bit of light oxidation near the grip, and also some dried grease near the tip. There is no edge damage, as we often see, making this a really fantastic example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse ricasso is stamped with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eORIGINAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e above and the firm's name and location, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEickhorn \/ SOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e below.\u003c\/span\u003e Unfortunately the chappe\/rainguard partly covers the area, so we were not able to get a complete photograph. The original leather blade buffer is in place, and in good shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, \u003cem\u003eGERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e, 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. \u003cstrong\u003eEickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard of this example is in very good condition, having almost all of the original black enamel paint present, showing light wear and some age related degradation. There is some chipping down to the base material, and there is also slow bend in the scabbard, which does not interfere with sheathing the blade. The original hanger loop and rectangular loop for hitching up the sword are still present, but have lost a good amount of the finish. There is also some denting to the throat at the top of the scabbard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a wonderful looking sword from the most legendary of all makers! Eickhorn Feldmarschall series swords are always in demand! If you are looking for an excellent example to hang on the wall, this one should do it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 31 3\/4\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edge w\/ Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 36 3\/4“\u003cbr\u003eGuard dimensions: 5\" width x 5” length\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 32 1\/2”\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42050284847173,"sku":"ONSV24MDS004","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24MDS004__01.jpg?v=1728338545","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-field-marshal-series-lion-head-zieten-pattern-army-officer-sword-by-carl-eickhorn-with-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}