Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of the plain nickel Dove Head sword worn by Army NCO's, made by the Solingen-based firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie. It has a custom etched nickel plated blade, named to the 4th Guards Field Artillery Regiment, a German regiment that served during WWI. This sword design is a simplified version of the Officer's dove's head sword, without the decorative designs and engraving usually seen on the hilt. It has the standard "P" guard used on German dress swords, with a simple cross guard and plain rain guards (chappes). The hilt is nickel plated steel from what we can tell, and retains most of the nickel plating, with a lovely patina of age.
The scabbard of this example still has good black lacquer, retained at nearly 100%. It does appear to have been repainted at some point, but it was long ago as there is finish crazing in the top coat. The shell is straight, and we cannot see any large dents at all. It sill has the remnants of a leather sword hanger through the hanger loop, though it is worn and in delicate condition. Part of it is definitely missing.
The grip is a very nice black celluloid over a wood base. It is wrapped with three strands of twisted nickel-plated wire, with the central strand being much thicker than the outer two. There is some looseness in the wrappings, probably from the celluloid shrinking a bit. The original red felt blade buffer is still present, however it is definitely worn from age and oxidation.
The 32 inch blade of this example is in very good condition, and does not show any signs of use or abuse. These were ceremonial swords, and not really intended for cutting. The nickel-plating is just shy of complete, with just a few specs of rust where the plating has worn. The plating does show a bit of flaking at the tip, and has some oxidation under the chappe. The etched designs on the blade are very nice, showing "crossed cannons" and other designs on one side, surrounding the regimental designation in Black Letter Type:
4. Garde = Feld = Artillerie Regiment
The 4th Guards Field Artillery Regiment was raised 25 March 1899, and was garrisoned in Potsdam. Like all members of the Guard Corps, they were recruited from across the German Empire, to serve defending the capital if need be.
The other side of the blade has a lovely etched landscape showing a horse-drawn artillery train, with numerous soldiers. Below this, near the ricasso, is the emblem of the Hoher Orden vom Schwarzen Adler (Order of the Black Eagle), with their motto of SUUM CUIQUE (To each their own merits).
The reverse ricasso is stamped with the double trademark "King's Head" alongside a "Knights's Head" logo of legendary maker Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen, over the firms initials of W.K & C. This trademark is used on private purchase blades and walking-out bayonets during the WWI period and prior. Unfortunately the chappe/rainguard completely covers this area, so photographing the logo is impossible.
Overall an very good condition high quality NCO sword, named to a WWI German Regiment, made by a legendary German sword maker, based in Solingen, the "City of Blades" in Western Germany. Ready to hang on the wall!
