Description
No maker. This sword is personalized on the blade etch to the Royal Bavarian 9th Field Artillery Regiment and was obtained in Germany. This regiment was raised in 1901 and garrisoned in Landsberg, approximately 60km Southwest or Munich. An illustration of this pattern sword appears on page 426 of Swords of Germany 1900/1945 by John R. Angolia. Plain, unadorned nickel-plated hilt fittings show light surface wear with a spot of lifting on the upper obverse edge of the knuckle-bow. Black, celluloid-over-wood grip without wire wrap is perfect with only minor wear, but no cracks or chips. Curved, plated, double-etched blade measuring 31 ¾” in length grades EX++, showing light runner marks to obverse/reverse ricasso with no lifting to plating or nicks to cutting edge. Both obverse and reverse blade feature 15″ long etched panels with raised floral and military motifs on light gray frosted panels as well This etch pattern matches Pattern No. 492, “Klinge zu Mannschafts-Extra-Säbel” as shown in the 1908 Carl Eickhorn sales catalog. Both obverse and reverse blade feature 14″ long etched panels as well as a laurel leaf motif on the blade spine running the length of the etched panels. Obverse, central panel features the inscription, “K.B. 9. Feld-Art. Reg.” (Royal Bavarian 9th Field Artillery Regiment) in raised, Gothic letters on a frosted gray background. Reverse, central panel features a three-ribbon banner with inscription in raised Gothic letters, “In Treue Fest” (Steadfast with Loyalty) within a floral motif on a gray frosted background. Blade is complete with white felt blade buffer pad. Dent-free, steel scabbard retains approximately 95% of the black enamel, showing surface wear and crazing with several spots of missing paint on lower obverse/reverse, but no depressions or damage. EX+/EX++
