Heer sword ID please

[85ronnies]

Thanks Horst i am like a dog on a bone with this but like you say could very well be unattributed,
thanks again for all the help guys
Ronnie

PS hope you get sorted with your PC Horst

[Frogprince]

An interesting variation of the "P" guard , because there seemed to be some confusion with the eras, here is one perspective: As a general rule Imperial era Unteroffizier mit Portepee (senior grade NCO’s) were issued less embellished versions of officer’s model swords - which was repeated as a tradition during the TR era. And they could also purchase their own, being limited primarily by what they wanted to spend on the purchase. Which was also the case for officers who could use the money allotted to them for uniform purchases as they wished. With for example some very nice high grade presentation swords (both eras) given to senior grade NCO’s on their retirement etc. That minus the rank on the blade could very easily be mistaken for a purchase by an officer who was much more well off financially than the average officer.

So for the German Army, besides using re-issues of Prussian Army swords, TR era swords also (more or less) copied the “P” guard Prussian officer’s models using new designs for the langets. With the Prussian Artillery senior grade NCO’s also (interestingly enough) having a jawless lionhead saber - but one with a square langet. And for the Infantry, a straight blade with an abbreviated basket hilt. With also as a general rule, Imperial era officer's swords (and a number of the early other rank EM private purchases) having sharkskin grips, not the black celluloid of the Weimar and TR eras. Which is not to say that synthetic grips were not used earlier - but then it gets a little trickier. And that is because the manufacture of the copper based hilts (brass and nickel silver) stopped just as it did during the TR era. Sharkskin became scarce etc. etc. with the net result being that within a fairly short time frame there was a significant difference in how the swords were made.

With to help illustrate the matter - from left to right: A Prussian ‘Kriegsmodell’ Infantry officer’s sword in blued steel with a bare wood (polished walnut) grip, next to the earlier brass version with a sharkskin grip. And to its right, the Artillery Officer’s saber. Best regards to all, Fred

[Eric Zentner]

Nice find Ronnie

Eric

[85ronnies]

Thans guys Fred i had to read it twice but i think it has sunken in
cheers Ronnie