Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the very desirable "Prinz Eugen" (Prince Eugene) variation of the popular Feldmarschall (Field Marshal) series of German "Dove Head" officer swords. As with all of this series, it was made by famed firm Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. Their trademarked Field Marshal series was quite popular, and had many different variations. The Prince Eugen style was very popular among SS officers before their own M36 Officer's degen sword was introduced.

As with the other designs in the Feldmarschall series, the pattern is named after a famous Field Marshall. Prince Eugene Francis of Savoy-Carignano, (18 October 1663 – 21 April 1736) better known as Prince Eugene, was a field marshal in the army of the Holy Roman Empire and of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty during the 17th and 18th centuries. This is the same person that the Admiral Hipper class Heavy Cruiser "Prinz Eugen" was named after.

The blade on this sword is an incredible example. It measures 31 3/4 inches and has the highest quality nickel plating. It also is TRIPLE ETCHED, with fantastic designs on both sides of the blade, as well as the spine. Both sides show lots of foliate designs, and also have crossed cannons, so this may have been for an artillery officer. The plating is very well retained, with just a few arears of scuffing and oxidation. The blade has correctly not been sharpened, and has just a few minor dents on it.

The blade's ricasso under the chappe is stamped with the correct "outline" version of the "Original" Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany, and this trademark was used on almost all of the "Field Marshall" series swords.

According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, 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. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The hilt of the sword has areas of beautiful gilt finish over what looks to be an aluminum alloy base metal that was then brass plated. This combination of hilt metals was sometimes susceptible to plating loss, and unfortunately only around 30% of the gilding remains. The Prinz Eugen design features a less ornate pommel than many others, with simple leaf designs, back strap, "P"-guard and ferrule. The "dove's head" has an NSDAP Reichsadler (National Eagle on it, and the cross guard has an "SS-Style" open-winged eagle which looks to the viewer's left. This art-deco eagle has fine crispness to his eye, breast feathering and raised out swas (hook cross) within a wreath.

The original leather blade buffer is still present, however there is definitely some overall looseness to the hilt. However there is no major damage, and the black celluloid covered wooden grip is tightly wrapped with quadruple brass wire, with the center pair being twisted. There is some caked on dirt and grease from handling, but we do not see any cracking or other damage to the black covering. We have left the dirt intact to preserve the history, but it could easily be removed with rubbing alcohol.

The scabbard of this example still has a very good black enamel finish, it is retained at over 95% with no dents that we can see or feel. There is a bit of scuffing and overall crazing, but overall this is one of the better examples that we have seen, and the checking and crazing verify the age of the finish.. There is some wear near the hanger ring, through to the base metal as is typical.

This is a wonderful looking sword, from the most famous of Solingen makers, with a fantastic triple etched blade! If you are looking for a great example to hang on the wall, this one should do it!

Specifications:
Overall length: 36 1/2”
Blade length: 31 3/4”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Guard dimensions: 5 1/4" width x 4 1/2” length
Scabbard Length: 32 5/8"