Description
. An example of this pattern deluxe Hirschfänger is pictured on pages 148-149 of Imperial German Edged Weaponry Volume Three. Gilded brass deluxe hilt fittings show light surface wear to the plain pommel/front and back straps with virtually 100% of the matte, honey-gold factory finish remaining in the recesses of the ribbed ferrule and recurved crossguards with a heavily chiseled oak leaves, hunting hound motif quillon block, and acorn quillon tips. The large well detailed clamshell with raised border features a hunter with a hound attacking stag in a forest setting with a village in the background. The genuine ivory grip plates grade Near MINT showing light age toning only with no cracks, chips or surface damage, and are complete with three raised, floral motif rosettes on the obverse and reverse. The plated, double-etched blade measuring 21 5/8” in length grades EX++ showing light surface wear/runner marks with minor surface crazing to the lower obverse/reverse but, no pitting or nicks to cutting edge and is complete with large red felt blade buffer pad. Both obverse and reverse blade feature 9” long etched with raised hunting scenes on a frosted light gray background. The obverse blade features a floral motif flanking smaller panels with stags, does and foxes in forest settings. The reverse blade features a floral motif flanking smaller panels with a hound attacking a wild boar, stags, does and hunting hounds in forest settings. The blade spine features an 8 ½” long panel with raised laurel leaves on a frosted background with the retailer’s name, “C.A. STÄHLE · STUTTGART”. As stated in The sword and bayonet makers of IMPERIAL GERMANY 1871· 1918 by John Walter, “The Stähle firm,…”was at one time a retailer of edged weapons, the majority of which were probably purchased in Solingen and then sold to personnel in the state of Württemberg.” Both etched panels, as well as the spine motif, retain 100% of the factory background frosting. The black leather scabbard shows surface wear/age with some surface scratches and missing seam stitching on the upper reverse but, no rips, tear or creases. Due to shrinkage of the leather the blade does not seat all the way into the scabbard (covered from view by the crossguard clamshell). The Upper and lower gilded brass fittings, retained without staples, show light wear/age patina with a slender frog lug on the upper obverse fitting. The obverse lower fitting features incised floral and rosette motifs on stippled background and is complete with the less common drag-type tip with up-turned ends. The RARE portepee grades EX+ showing age/wear with minor fraying to the cord, and features a tarnished silver/red/black cord with gold/green flecked slide/stem and a gold-over-green fringed tassel. RARE Gala-Hirschfänger with etched blade, Retailer’s Mark and portepee obtained from an advanced edged weapons collection. EX+/EX++
HOLD
