Description
Royal Bavarian Plain Hilt Infantry Sword w/Double-Etched Blade. Back-to-back Squirrels (Carl Eickhorn post-1906) stamped TM. An illustration of this sword appears on page 119 of the 1908 Musterbuch der Waffenfabrik Carl Eickhorn Solingen as Pattern No. 185 “Bayerisher Infanterie-Offizier-Säbel” and is also illustrated on page 423 of Swords of Germany 1900/1945 by John R. Angolia. Brass hilt fittings show light surface wear/age patina to the plain pommel/backstrap, ridged ferrule and D-pattern knuckle-bow and crossguard with slotted, down-turned quillon. Black, celluloid-over-wood grip shows only faint wear with no cracks or chips and is complete with tight, twisted wire wrap. Curved, plated, double-etched blade measuring 32 7/8″ in length grades EX/EX+, showing light surface wear/runner marks to obverse/reverse several deep nicks to the center/lower center cutting edge but, no lifting, pitting or damage to the blade tip. Both obverse and reverse blade feature 4 ½” long frosted gray panels etched with a three-ribbon banner inscribed in raised Gothic letters, “In Treue Fest” (Steadfast with Loyalty) within a floral motif. The blade is complete with white felt blade buffer pad. The dent-free, steel scabbard with post-1908 single suspension ring, retains approximately 95% of the original black enamel, showing surface wear and crazing with several spots of missing paint on lower obverse/reverse, but no depressions or oxidation. EX+/EX++
