Description
WKC, knight’s helmet TM. This sword was recently obtained from the estate of WWII veteran PFC Vernon L. Briggs of Middletown, CT. A photograph of this pattern jawless lion head pommel, but with crossed lances on crossguard, appears on page 135, upper, of Swords of Germany 1900/1945 by John R. Angolia. Gilted brass hilt fittings show surface wear/age patina to the cast highlights, but with portions of the factory gilting remaining in recesses of jawless lion head pommel with red glass eyes, knuckle-bow with raised design of crossed cannon barrels, cannon balls, crossed flags, and unit standard beneath raised Iron Cross and crossguard with crossed cannon barrels and laurel leaves on obverse langet. Black celluloid grip shows light surface wear with one small area of cracking on lower obverse adjacent to upper edge of ferrule. Twisted silver wire wrap shows dark age patina with one single twisted wire strand missing and one separated wire. Plated double-etched blade measuring 35 ¼” in length grades excellent+/excellent++, showing light surface wear/runner marks with some light gray age speckling and two tiny surface nicks to lower cutting edge. Obverse and reverse blade feature 12 ¾” long light gray frosted panels with central blued section. Obverse blade features an oak leaf and floral pattern with horse head, central blued section with raised inscription, “Ernst Blaue, Artl. Regt. No 6” in raised gothic letters, and a mounted Artillery trooper in parade uniform. Reverse blade features floral and oak leaf pattern with Imperial style Artillery helmet above crossed swords, central blued panel with raised facsimile of a mounted Artillery section (with riders, cannoneers, caisson, and artillery piece), and artillery standard and oak leaf motif. Spine is etched with floral motif and is complete with brown leather buffer pad. Dent-free steel scabbard retains approximately 98% of the black enamel, showing light surface wear and some minor crazing. Research in the 1939 German Order of Battle list indicates that Artillery Regiment 6 was assigned to the 6th Division with Regimental Headquarters garrisoned on Osnabrück. Nice Artillery sword with personalized double-etched blade that could be further researched. EX+
