Description
No maker. Although unmarked, an illustration of the blade etch on this degen appears in the Imperial Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie. Sales Catalog as No. 15. Gilded brass, deluxe hilt fittings show light surface wear to the heavily-chiseled pommel, knuckle-bow and non-folding handguard, which features the Imperial eagle with raised “WRII” cypher on chest. Fittings retain much factory in the recesses throughout, to include the ornate pommel which features a raised silver facsimile of Kaiser Wilhelm. Dark-brown, Bakelite grip shows light surface wear, but no cracks or chips and is complete with tight triple wire wrap and “WRII” cypher pinned to the obverse. Plated, double-etched, double-fullered blade measuring 30″ in length grades EX, showing light surface wear with some gray speckling, but no lifting or nicks to the cutting edge. Both obverse and reverse blade feature 13 ½” long etched panels with gilded borders. The obverse etched panel features a floral motif flanking the two-line presentation inscription, “Hauptmann Wolf Wölfel seinem Freunde U.-Zahlmeister Georg Krommes. Kriegsjahre 1915/16.” (Captain Wolf Wölfel to his friend and Paymaster Georg Krommes, War Year 1915/16) in raised gothic letters. The reverse panel features a matching floral motif flanking the inscription, “II. Landst.Inf.-Ers.Halb.-Bat. Sondershausen”(Landsturm II. Partially Trained Infantry Replacement Battalion Sondershausen). Sondershausen is located approximately 60km NW of Erfurt. The spine of the blade running the length of the etched panels, features a motif of raised, gilded laurel leaves on a gilded background and is distributer marked “DEUTSCHER OFFIZIER VEREIN, BERLIN”, in raised gilded letters., and is complete with brown leather blade buffer pad. Straight, dent-free steel scabbard retains approximately 85% of the original black enamel which shows surface crazing and wear, primarily to lower shell and drag. Documentation from the 1914-1918 Honor Ranklist of the German Army that accompanies the sword, includes the entry for Hauptmann Wölfel assigned to the Landsturm Battalion. Nice, presentation M-89 Infantry Degen which could be further researched. EX+.
