{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-heer-army-officer-dove-head-sword-by-f-w-holler-of-solingen-with-steel-scabbard","title":"Original German WWII Heer Army Officer Dove Head Sword by F. W. Höller of Solingen with Steel Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Heer Army Officer Dove Head sword by\u003cem\u003e F. W. Höller of Solingen\u003c\/em\u003e, complete with its black enamel painted steel scabbard. It is a particularly attractive solid brass hilt example rather than the later aluminum alloy construction, and it retains much of its original gold colored finish, especially in the recessed decorative areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hilt is richly decorated with high relief German oak leaf and acorn motifs. The Dove Head pommel and backstrap carry extensive engraved and embossed decoration, while the end of the pommel features an oval acanthus leaf motif. The flat hand guard is similarly decorated with raised oak leaves and acorns, and the ferrule carries a related variation of the same traditional design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe obverse langet features a raised spread wing national eagle facing the viewer’s left. The eagle shows excellent detail to the beak, eye, breast and wing feathering, talons, and mobile swas. The reverse langet has a shield shaped field surrounded by an oak leaf and acorn border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse shield has a lightly scratched inscription:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe initials appear to cut only through the surface finish rather than into the underlying brass and may represent a former owner’s monogram.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grip is black celluloid over a carved wooden core and remains in very good condition. The celluloid shows only light wear and no visible cracks, chips, or major damage. The grip is wrapped with a four strand skein of brass wire, with the center two strands twisted and further wrapped with fine bullion wire. The wire remains fully intact and in place with no loose sections. It has developed an oxidized patina, with some verdigris visible around portions of the wrapping. The guard, grip, and ferrule remain tight to the blade. The backstrap has some noticeable wobble, which is fully disclosed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nickel plated spring steel blade measures approximately 29 7\/8\" in length and remains in very good condition. The plating is largely intact, with some scuffing near the point and very light oxidation close to the crossguard. The edge remains correctly unsharpened and shows no significant dents or nicks, only slight roughness consistent with original manufacture. The point shows minor plating wear and may have a very slight bend to one side. The original leather blade buffer remains present and is in very good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse ricasso is maker marked with the F. W. Höller lozenge style trademark surrounding the firm’s thermometer emblem:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eF. W. HÖLLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the marking lies beneath the langet, it is difficult to photograph clearly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eF.W. Höller, Waffenfabrik\u003c\/em\u003e (Weapons Factory), is a well-known maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany, which produced many fine edged weapons. During the WWII Period they manufactured many SA and NSKK daggers, both with their \"thermometer\" trademark and later with the RZM code M7\/33. They also produced numerous 98K bayonets and other edged weapons. The firm was founded in 1866, and registered in Solingen in 1883. By 1900 ownership had passed to Emil Höller, and it continued manufacture after WWII, finally closing in 1974. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter's definitive work \u003cem\u003eGERMAN SWORD AND KNIFE MAKERS\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included steel scabbard is in very good condition and remains straight throughout with no major dents visible. The original black enamel finish is well preserved overall, with expected wear, checking, and age related crazing throughout. There are also localized areas of oxidation from age and moisture exposure, and the finish has developed a somewhat cloudy appearance. No obvious signs of refinishing were observed. The scabbard retains its original hanger ring and flat loop for attachment to the belt hanger. These exposed fittings have lost much of their finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its solid brass hilt construction, Dove Head pommel, extensive oak leaf and acorn decoration, detailed Heer eagle langet, intact black celluloid grip, complete brass wire wrap, F. W. Höller thermometer trademark, 29 7\/8\" nickel plated blade, and original steel scabbard, this is a particularly appealing Heer officer sword. The backstrap wobble, verdigris around the grip wire, minor blade oxidation and scuffing, possible slight tip bend, scabbard oxidation, and finish loss to the hanger fittings are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Heer officer sword, Dove Head sword, F. W. Höller maker, or advanced German WWII edged weapon collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 29 7\/8\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edge w\/ Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 34 3\/4“\u003cbr\u003eGuard dimensions: 5\" width x 5” length\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 34 1\/2”\u003cbr\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":45569093763141,"sku":"ONAC25SD0829","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/0129D5A0-B257-4B4C-AB4B-4F30B82A810B.jpg?v=1786997276","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-heer-army-officer-dove-head-sword-by-f-w-holler-of-solingen-with-steel-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}