Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautiful classic Lionhead German WWI Private Purchase Officer's sword. It has a heavily etched "Quill-Back" blade, which gives the owner's name as Eisenhauer in Black Letter typeface in the etching. The all brass alloy hilt consists of a finely detailed lion head cat with floral backstrap and "P" guard. The Lion is fitted with blood red faceted "jewel" eyes. Nice detail throughout his whiskers, chin, muzzle, and especially the Lion's Mane. The handwork is beautifully rendered throughout this brass. The "D" guard has raised out oak leaves and acorns, while the grip ferrule has laurel leaves around it.
The crossguard has a lovely set of "Crossed Swords" on the chappe, probably for infantry. These are arrayed in leaves, with lots of hand enhanced details. The end of the crossguard is another "lion's head", which is finely detailed. The crossguard is also marked with GETSCHÜTZTES / MUSTER, "Protected Patterns", indicating that the design was trademarked by the company. The brass alloy hilt does not appear to have been gilt, as there is no trace of gold, even in the recesses of the engraved areas, where it would not be worn away.
The scabbard of this example still has a good blued finish, with some small areas of oxidation. Unfortunately, there are dents on both sides of the scabbard, though they do not interfere with sheathing the blade.
The grip is Ebony wood or some kind of material bound in twisted silver wire, and is in very good shape. The original blade buffer is however long gone.
The 33 inch blade of this example is in very good condition, with just a bit of light denting on parts of the edge. The blade unplated carbon steel, so it does have areas of light oxidation and staining from years of age and use. The dark background to the etching is only partially there, but it still can be clearly seen, and is quite ornate.
The ricasso is stamped with the double trademark "King's Head" and "Knight's Helmet" logos over W. K. & C, the marking of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen. This particular style of trademark was only used on "Private Purchase" blades and "walking out" bayonets intended for display. Unfortunately the chappe/rainguard completely covers this area, so photographing the logo is impossible.
Overall an very good condition high quality officer's sword from a legendary German sword maker, based in Solingen, the "City of Blades" in Western Germany.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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