Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of the relatively plain Dove Head sword worn by NCO's, made by the well-known firm of Alexander Coppel & Co. KG, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelware Factory), a highly desirable maker of edged weapons. This sword design is a simplified version of the Officer's dove's head sword, without the decorative designs and engraving usually seen on the hilt. While these were usually intended for the Heer Army, they were also used by members of various paramilitary organizations, in this case the Feuerschutzpolizei, (Fire Protection Police), made from the fire brigades of the pre NSDAP era.

Additionally, this fire service sword was ordered with a great "Triple Etched" blade, which we do not usually see on these, so the owner must have been relatively well off. It has the standard "P" guard used on German dress swords, with a simple cross guard and plain rain guards (chappes). The hilt on this example is made from "German Silver" cupronickel alloy, showing a lovely oxidized patina, with no areas of major oxidation or damage. We have also seen these in gilt brass, nickel plated steel, as well as solid nickel, so there looks to have been a wide variety of materials used.

The grip is a very nice black celluloid over a wood base, which is still shiny and free of cracks, dents, and other damage. It is wrapped with a skein of six plated copper wires, twisted into three pairs, with the center pair slightly thicker. The wrapping shows wear and oxidation, as well as what looks to be metal polish residue, but is still complete and tightly in place. The hilt is still tight on the tang, with no wobble, and still retains the original red felt blade buffer on the top of the guard. There is no finger loop, but it does not look like this sword ever had one.

The 31 5/8” blade of this example is in very good condition, nickel-plated and "Triple Etched", showing etched panels on the sides as well as etched foliate designs on the spine of the blade. The panels also show foliate designs, both with fire brigade themed stands of arms in the middle of each side. One side has two crossed fire polearms, a ladder, and a pump drawing water from a large container of water. The other side also features a ladder, as well as a fire polearm, a fire axe, a hose, and even a fire helmet. The edge of the blade is correctly unsharpened, and the plating is relatively well retained, some areas of loss and oxidation on the etched panels. The very end of the blade is missing some plating, allowing the steel to oxidize, particularly on the inch closest to the tip.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with one of several similar trademarks Alcoso used from 1936-1940. It depicts the scales with the firm's initials, ACS interspersed, above the town of business, SOLINGEN, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany. The marking is partly under the langet, so it is not possible to photograph in its entirety.

Alcoso is a trade name of Alexander Coppel & Co. KG, Stahlwarenfabrik, located in Solingen, the legendary German "City of Blades." Per J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, the company was a major manufacturer of edged weapons and tools from the end of the 19th century up until the WWII period. Unfortunately, as NSDAP-control increased, brothers Carl Gustav and Dr. Alexander Coppel, the Jewish owners of the firm, were forced out. In 1936 the firm had been "Aryanized", and started using the name ALCOSO to hide the Jewish family name. By the end of 1936 the brothers were ejected from their Solingen offices, and by 1940 the brand trademark initials ACS were changed to AWS to reflect the change in ownership and name: Alexander Coppel Solingen to Alcoso-Werk Solingen. Carl Gustav Coppel committed suicide in Solingen in 1941, and Dr. Alexander Coppel was arrested in 1942 and sent to Theresienstadt Prison camp, where he died August 5th 1942. The factory itself was destroyed by Allied bombers in November 1944.

Overall a very good condition high quality Fire Service NCO sword with a great Triple Etched blade, made by a desirable German sword maker, based in Solingen, the "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Ready to hang on the wall!

Dimensions:
Blade length: 30 1/2”
Overall length: 35 1/2”
Handguard: 5”L x 5”W

More on the Fire Protection Police:

On June 17TH 1936, Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler was appointed to the newly created position of Chef der Deutschen Polizei im Reichsministerium des Innern (Chief of the German Police in the National Ministry of the Interior), effectively giving him full control of all police agencies within Germany including the Feuerschutzpolizei, (Fire Protection Police). As a result of this appointment and the restructuring of all the separate German state police into a single national police force new regulations were instituted on June 25TH 1936 to bring about uniformity in dress for all police through-out the country. The Police were divided into eight assorted branches of service with each branch being assigned a specific identifying, Truppenfarbe, (branch of service color), with the Feuerschutzpolizei being allocated carmine truppenfarbe. The Feuerschutzpolizei were further distinguished from the other police branches of service with blue uniforms and headgear instead of the typical police green uniforms