Original Imperial German WWI Engraved Kaiserliche Marine Officer's Damascus Sword Captured at Wilhelmshaven Submarine Pens in 1945 and Presented to Canadian Officer Fred Bertram Follett CD, RCOC
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding Imperial German Kaiserliche Marine Officer’s sword which was carried by an officer, W. Rupp., throughout both World Wars and then captured in 1945 at the Wilhelmshaven Submarine Pens by a Canadian Officer, and presented to Captain Fred Bertram Follett of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. The sword has a tremendous Damascus blade and retains the troddel sword knot.
The sword features a tremendous 29 ½” Damascus steel blade which is marked on one side of the ricasso with the “King’s Head” and “King’s Helmet” over W.K.&C. trademarks of WEYERSBERG KIRSCHBAUM & CO SOLINGEN. WKC is one of the more famous makers in the legendary "City of Blades", Solingen. They were chosen for their pre-eminence even within the center of German edged weapon manufacture to make the swords celebrating the Kaiser's day that Celebrated the city.
The other side of the ricasso is stamped with crossed swords over G.B&S. denoting Georg Bartling & Söhne, who likely retailed the sword. These two markings are often found together on Imperial German damascus steel blades. The blade is in great condition overall with some staining, but the Damascus is still very visible. The blade retains the leather buffer.
The hilt of this example has a lovely lion’s head pommel with a folding guard on both sides. The smaller side’s folding guard is engraved W. RUPP., the name of the German officer who carried the sword. This smaller side also has a hole to lock the sword in the scabbard, which does function but requires some force to get it to fit. The ivory grip shows some heavy chipping on both sides but the wire wrap is still well-retained. The original troddel sword knot shows heavy fraying of the material but is certainly all original to the sword and matches it very well. The overall length is 34¾”.
The brass-mounted leather scabbard is in great shape with the throat heavily engraved:
Taken at Submarine Pens
Wilhelmshaven 1945
Captain F.B. Follett CD RCOC
From JHM
This denotes that the sword was captured by JHM and presented to Captain Follett. The submarine pens at Wilhelmshaven were a constant target for allied bombing missions. We aren’t sure if this sword was taken from an officer or was just kept in storage there. The scabbard measures 30 ½”.
We found that Follett was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration, bestowed upon members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service. We didn’t find much else, but there is more research to be done.
This is an outstanding Kaiserlichemarine Officer’s sword with a lengthy history, ready for further research and display.
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