Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautiful classic Nickel-Plated Imperial German WWI Presentation sword, named to a Hessian Train Battalion. It conforms roughly to the M1852 / 79 Cavalry Sword pattern, with a lovely steel basket hilt. The presentation version is of course quite less robust than the cavalry issue, and these were privately purchased, so there is no acceptance marking on the spine.
The design is relatively plain, in some respects, especially compared to the higher end versions with gilt brass alloy hilts, however this type of sword has an elegance and simplicity that those cannot match. Also without all the engraving work and gilding, they tend to weather the ages much more easily.
The grip on this example is the standard shark skin over a wood base, and is retained very well, with only light wear. The original brass wire wrapping is still mostly present, though it is a bit loose in places, so some of it has moved out of the correct groove. The original leather finger loop inside the basket is still present, though a bit worn, and the original leather blade buffer washer is present as well. It looks like the hilt was at one time nickel plated like the blade, however the plating is now mostly gone.
The 32 3/4 inch blade of this example is in very good condition, with just a few scratches and areas of oxidation where the plating has flaked. It has an incredible triple-etched design, meaning it is on both sides as well as the spine of the blade. The designs show typical floral designs but also a Soldier on a Horse, as well as a horse's head, and four horses pulling a heavily loaded supply carriage / train. Additionally, the large panels were originally "Niter" or "Fire" blued, giving them a lovely blue-purple color that can shift in the light. The etching is very well retained, though there has been some degradation of the bluing, so it has lost a lot of the iridescent qualities.
The main panel on the right side also has a unit designation, written in German Black-Letter "Textura" type face:
Train=Bataillon No 18
This would stand for the Großherzoglich-Hessische Train-Abteilung Nr. 18 (Grand Ducal Hessian Train Battalion Nr.18), which as far as we can tell, was mobilized for WWI as part of the XVIII. Armee-Korps, based in Frankfurt am Main. This was at the time in the Grand Duchy of Hesse. Each "Corps" level group could have one or more specialized battalions under them, of which the "Train" battalions were one. These had evolved out of the earlier supply train units, and were first seen during the Franco-Prussian war.
The scabbard of this example is in good condition, though it does show a lot of past surface oxidation on the exterior, now ground away. It has the standard two hanger rings, and fits the sword well. It is possible that it was once nickel plated as well, but we do not see any trace of plating.
Overall a highly attractive sword from the days of the German Empire, ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 32 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 38“
Guard dimensions: 5 1/2" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 34 1/4”
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