{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-hirschfanger-bone-handle-forestry-dress-cutlass-by-carl-eickhorn-with-handguard-scabbard-1","title":"Original German WWII Hirschfänger Bone Handle Forestry Dress Cutlass by Carl Eickhorn with Handguard \u0026 Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. In use for centuries, the German \u003cem\u003eHirschfänger\u003c\/em\u003e (Deer Catcher) long hunting daggers 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hunting and Forestry organizations under the German monarchy were often controlled by aristocrats and well-heeled businessmen. They were generally not organizations inhabited by the common man. The purposes were generally formed for the conservation of game and forestry. Elaborate hunts were great occasions for the well-heeled, while the ladies used the hunting lodges for match-making and gossip. The cutlasses of these Imperial organizations were often extremely ornate, or they could also be utilitarian, made to perform the final killing thrust on game. Both types were often owned by a single individual. Many examples were used strictly for dressing up the beauty of a hunting\/forestry uniform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very nice WWII German \u003cem\u003eHirschfänger\u003c\/em\u003e Bone Handled Short Forestry Dress Cutlass by the legendary firm of Carl Eickhorn, complete with scabbard. The hilt is fit with gilt plated alloy, with much of the finish retained, though there is some bubbling and oxidation. The grip is slightly curved, and is made from lovely stag horn with a great color, which is fitted with three brass acorn \u0026amp; oak leaf ornaments on each side. Instead of the \"S\" shaped crossguard with opposed Deer's hoof finials, this grip is \"sword\" style, and has a hand guard, which terminates in a Deer's hoof at the crossguard. There is also a beautiful scallop shell guard on one side, much like those seen on earlier \"hunting sword pistols\", embossed with a fantastic \"stag\" scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003etriple etched\u003c\/strong\u003e blade is very nice, though there it does show wear and oxidation. There is also bend at the very tip, probably from being dropped long ago. The blade also looks to have been made with an edge, and does show use, which has caused oxidation staining and wear to the finish. The etched panels on the sides of the blade are however still well retained and were originally breathtaking, with one side showing a buck and doe with a hunter aiming his gun, and there is a game fowl to the right of this. The other side shows a pack of hunting hounds taking down a Wild boar, while a hunter runs towards the pile with his hunting cutlass. The panels are surrounded by lovely foliate engraving, and the spine of the blade has a lovely oak leaves and acorn leaf motif running up the back, a classic German design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear ricasso of the blade is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word \u003cstrong\u003eORIGINAL\u003c\/strong\u003e above and the firm's name and location, \u003cstrong\u003eEickhorn \/ SOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous \"City of Blades\" in Western Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording 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 rear of the blade is also etched with\u003cstrong\u003e W. MICHOVIUS COTTBUS\u003c\/strong\u003e, a distributor located in Berlin, and one of the only known major suppliers of Eickhorn made forestry daggers. They were also suppliers for virtually all of the forestry association insignia and other accoutrements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather scabbard is fitted with gilt brass, with an acorn frog button, as often seen. The black patent leather is in good shape, without any bending or major issues with the finish. The drag shows a lovely embossed hunting scene, showing a hound next to some downed game fowl hanging up. The gilding is very well retained, and it just looks great, with a fantastic patina!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely German upmarket Hirschfänger Hunting Association cutlass by a the most famous of all makers in Solingen. Ready to display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 13\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Hirschfänger w\/out Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 17 5\/8”\u003cbr\u003eHandguard: 4\" L x 4 1\/2\" W\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 13 5\/8”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42070339190853,"sku":"ONSV24MDS103","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24MDS103__01.jpg?v=1728605561","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-hirschfanger-bone-handle-forestry-dress-cutlass-by-carl-eickhorn-with-handguard-scabbard-1","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}