Original Ottoman Empire WWI Triple Etched Turkish Officers German Fusilier Pattern Sword with Scabbard & Sword Knot
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Original Item: Only One Available. In the eve of the First World War, the Ottoman Empire was in ruinous shape. It had lost substantial territory in disastrous wars, its economy was in shambles and its subjects were demoralized. The Empire needed time to recover and to carry out reforms, but the world was sliding into war and it would need to take a position. After the Italo-Turkish War and Balkan Wars, the Empire's resources were completely drained. Remaining neutral and focusing on recovery became impossible on the outbreak of the First World War, so the Empire needed to ally with one camp or the other. It did not have adequate quantities of weaponry or machinery, and lacked the financial means to purchase new ones. The Sublime Porte's only option was to establish an alliance with a European power; it did not seem to really matter which one. Talat Pasha, the Minister of Interior, wrote in his memoirs: "Turkey needed to join one of the country groups so that it could organize its domestic administration, strengthen and maintain its commerce and industry, expand its railroads, in short, to survive and to preserve its existence."
Here we have a very nice Ottoman Turkish officer's sword from the closing days of the Ottoman Empire. Founded in 1299, by the 19th Century it was only a shadow of what it had been, and choosing the fight on the Central Powers side during WWI proved to be its undoing.
Nevertheless, they still were able to field a substantial and well armed (with German Help) force during WWI, and this very smart officers short sword is from that same period. It is a relatively simple and utilitarian design, a single edged weapon designed for close quarters combat. On both sides of the nickel-plated blade are ornate etched designs, with the obverse design displaying the star and crescent moon of the Ottoman Empire. The sword has had its edge completely worn down and removed, which has made the blade etchings appear uneven. It has a very worn ribbed horn grip inside a simple brass guard with the Crescent moon insignia also on the chape.
The brass guard is partially dented and broken, now being very loose on the hilt due to breaking off of the end. The brass wire wrap of the grip is heavily worn with several strands loose, and there is some loss of material to the horn grip as well. The blade, having been heavily worn down, is also missing some of its nickel plating due to oxidation. It fits fine into the steel scabbard but there is some resistance when sheathing it.
The brass-mounted steel scabbard is in fair condition overall with some light denting and staining.
This is a heavily worn example that saw its edge entirely removed post-war. It still retains its original sword knot which is very worn but has been with the sword for a long time. A rare sword, ready for further research and display.
Specifications:
Blade length: 29 5/8”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Overall length: 34 3/8”
Handguard: 4 1/2”L x 4 1/2"W
Scabbard length: 30 ¼”
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