Swords

Personalized Third Reich Army Double-Etched Lion Head Sword Belonging to Army Hauptmann Wilhelm Kuppers w/Documentation (#50081)

$4,800.00

No maker; Condition: EX+/EX++

Out of stock

SKU: 50081 Categories: , , ,

Description

No maker. Although unmarked, photographs of this pattern hilt appear on page 73 of “Swords of Germany 1900/1945” by John R. Angolia as Clemen und Jung Unattributed Lion Head pattern. Brass hilt show light wear to the well detailed lion head pommel without glass eyes, floral/geometric motifs on back strap and knuckle-bow, and open wing eagle on the obverse langet. Eagle is facing to his left as found on early Third Reich swords and dates the sword to the 1935 time period. Black celluloid grip shows light surface wear with no cracks or chips and is complete with tight triple twisted wire wrap. Wide, curved, plated, double-etched Reichswehr pattern blade measuring 32 ¼ inches in length graded EX++, showing only minor surface wear with no lifting or nicks to cutting edge but with one small crimp at tip of the blade. Blade is complete with tan leather blade buffer pad. Obverse blade features a 14 ¼ inch long etch panel consisting of floral and geometric motifs, a horse’s head, and a mounted Cavalryman on etched background flanking a central etch panel inscribed in raised gothic letters, “Friedr. Wilhelm Kuppers” inside raised border. Reverse blade features the same floral and geometric motifs and military equipment flanking a central panel with a raised facsimile of an artillery piece with mounted crew. Obverse panel retains 100% of the light gray background frosting while the reverse panel was produced without factory frosting. Spine of blade features a laurel leaf motif running the length of the etched panels. Dent-free steel scabbard with the stationary suspension ring retains approximately 85% of black enamel showing surface wear/crazing with some scuffs to the enamel. Documentation included with the sword indicates that Kuppers was born in Hamburg/Rhein on October 6, 1896, served in WWI and was recalled for duty as a Reserve Officer for service in WWII. He served in Poland, Holland, and Russia prior to reassignment to the Western Front. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, then Major Kuppers commanded the Artillery Group Montebourg within the Fortress of Ostek which was the key defensive position within the Fortress of Cherbourg. For days after the allied invasion, Major Kuppers delayed the U.S. assault on Cherbourg until he was forced to surrender on June 26, 1944 and taken captive by the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. Superb Third-Reich double-etched personalized sword with full documentation.

Additional information

Dimensions 48 × 6 × 6 in