{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-19th-century-etched-miniature-m1889-prussian-infantry-officer-kaiser-honor-sword-by-hugo-koller-of-solingen-with-scabbard","title":"Original Imperial German 19th Century Etched Miniature M1889 Prussian Infantry Officer Kaiser Honor Sword by Hugo Köller of Solingen with Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful condition Imperial German late 19th Century Miniature Model 1889 Infantry Officer Kaiser Honor sword and scabbard, with a very nice etched blade. The sword measures 11 3\/8 inches with a blade of 9 inches long. These were made as miniature copies of the Honor Sword made in Solingen for Kaiser Wilhelm II circa 1895, and we have seen various different versions of these. Some were distributed on \"Kaiser Day\", while others such as this one are etched with a message describing the glory of Solingen, the legendary \"City of Blades\". These were often purchased as souvenir items, and would be given to friends or other associates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is one of the Solingen Commemorative types, and has an etched message on both sides of the blades. The guard of the blade shows what we assume is a Walküre (Valkyrie), the legendary women who bring fallen warriors to Valhalla in Nordic Mythology, crowning the Prussian Eagle with the Crown of the German Empire. It may also be \"Germania\", the personification of the German States. There is a crown on the pommel of the hilt as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ricasso on one side is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHUGO KÖLLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOLINGEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis company, originally founded in 1861 and registered with Solingen authorities in 1894, was known mainly for kitchen knives, pocket knives, and other hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne side of the blade is etched with the following message:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDu Schweistest in Wettern Germania Schwert, Du schufest das Reich uns im Weltall geehrt, Du schlangst um Alldeutschland ein ehernes Band. Willkomen Du Reichsschmiedim bergischen Land!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn English, this roughly translates as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You swore Germania sword in Wettern, you created the empire for us honored in the universe, you wrapped an iron band around all Germany. Welcome you rich blacksmith into the Mountain Land!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this case the Bergische Lande (Mountain Land) area of Western Germany is the center of German swordsmithing, with the fortress city of Solingen in the center.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other side of the blade reads: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWir recken das Eisen zu mannhafter Wehr. Wir geben die Waffen dem reisigen Heer In der Esse Gluthen, in Feuers Strahl Formt Meisterhand Schneidig den Klingenden Strahl.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis translates roughly to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"We raise the iron to manly defence. We give the weapons to the mighty army In the forge glowing, in the ray of fire Master's hand dashingly forms the ringing ray.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefinitely a message extolling the skill and quality of the weapons produced in Solingen. The included scabbard is nickel plated brass, and is in great shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice collectible from the turn of the 20th century, ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 9\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Spear Point Sword\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 11 3\/8“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 9 5\/8\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45117092069445,"sku":"ONSV26HAD010","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/CD661822-789A-4D35-A9BB-F6C0FDDB83D4.jpg?v=1780946707","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-19th-century-etched-miniature-m1889-prussian-infantry-officer-kaiser-honor-sword-by-hugo-koller-of-solingen-with-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}