Swords of the Third Reich, Imperial through 1945 - Quick Reference

**Michael Ryan** · 09-12-2014, 01:19 PM

Sword 54 (113) The Trade Mark is a King's Head along side a Knight's Helm over the initials "WKC".

a. Hilt. Cast in steel with nickel plating. The backstrap is attached directly to the blade tang. The grip is of wood with a plastic cover and a silver alloy wire wrap.
b. Obverse Langet. Plain.
c. Reverse langet. Plain
d. Pommel. Plain dove head.
e. Blade. Plain, polished steel with single fuller.
f. Scabbard. Standard black steel scabbard with a single ring suspension fitting and loop to the reverse side of the scabbard.
g. Rarety. common.

Swords of the Third Reich, Imperial through 1945 - Quick Reference

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 09-12-2014 01:19 PM

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**Michael Ryan** · 09-12-2014, 01:36 PM

Sword 55 (60) This sword is a Model M1889 Prussian Infantry Officers sword by Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C. The trade mark comprises a King's Head coupled with a Knight's Helmet over the initials "WK&C". There are two basic patterns of this sword, fixed and folding guard. The fixed guard has three vertical guard bars covering the knuckles whilst the folding guard type only employs two. However, there are likely to be variations. Additionally, higher quality and presentation swords tend to include far more hilt decoration. The Imperial Prussian Royal Cypher is positioned centrally on the grip. Missing on this sword. This is a heavy duty fighting sword.

a. Hilt. Cast in gilded brass, the hilt comprises seven parts,
(1) Oval tang nut.
(2) Pommel cap.
(3) Knuckle bow and cross guard. On the fixed guard model, this item includes the cartouche.
(4) Cartouche. Not a separate item on the fixed guard sword.
(5) Furrule
(6) Finger support. This is usually an optional item so may/may not be present. In this case present but cut.
(7) Grip assembly. This includes the wooden former, cover and wire wrap. In this case shagreen with a brass wire wrap.
b. Obverse Langet. Not Applicable.
c. Reverse langet. Not applicable.
d. Pommel. Plain oval tang nut and cap assembly.
e. Blade. Plain, plated with double full size fullers.
f. Scabbard. Missing.
g. Rarety. Common.

**Michael Ryan** · 09-12-2014, 02:11 PM

Sword 56 (90) Maufactured by the firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C, the Trade Mark is a King's Head along side a Knight's Helmet over the initials "WK&C". The inclusion of the trade mark with the knight's helm shown on the reverse langet of this sword does, in my opinion, lend credability to the theory that unmarked blades in conjunction with this particular langer pattern are by WKC??

a. Hilt. Cast in brass. The backstrap is attached directly to the blade tang. The grip is of wood with a shagreen cover and a brass wire wrap.
b. Obverse Langet. A floral wreath superimposed over crossed swords and crossed lances. Whilst accepting that the usual generic insignia on German swords carried by cavalry is a pair of crossed sabres, when lances are also incorporated with the sabres, it is my belief that the sword belonged to a member of a lancer or ulan regiment??
c. Reverse langet. WKC style knight's helm with mantle surmounting a styled shield.
d. Pommel. Lion head with red glass eyes.
e. Blade. Plain, polished steel with single full size fullers.
f. Scabbard. Standard black steel scabbard with single ring suspension fitting and rectangular suspension loop to rear.
g. Rarety. Quite scarce.

**Michael Ryan** · 09-12-2014, 02:51 PM

Sword 57 (138) Maufactured by the firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C. The Trade Mark is a King's Head along side a Knight's Helmet over the initials "WK&C". This sword is an Imperial Navy Officer's pattern. There are two basic patterns of this sword, fixed and folding guard. The fixed guard sword has a basket style hilt incorporating a cartouche on which is a representation of an early styled fouled anchor ensigned by the Imperial Prussian Crown but no Royal Cypher. The folding guard type is similar however the cartouche can be folded back against the sword grip. There are many variations to the designs of the hilts of both patterns. Additionally, higher quality and presentation swords tend to include greater hilt decoration and etched blades.

a. Hilt. Cast in gilded brass with the backstrap attached directly to the blade tang. The grip is made from ivory with a brass wire wrap and there is a small moveable flap which forms the reverse side of rhe guard and when closed, locks the sword into its scabbard.
b. Obverse Langet. Not Applicable.
c. Reverse langet. Not applicable.
d. Pommel. Lion Head with Green and Red glass eyes.
e. Blade. Unattributed etch with a "pipe" or "quill" spine and no fullers.
f. Scabbard. Standard Naval pattern leather scabbard with double ring suspension and drag, all produced in gilded brass. There is no loop to the reverse side of the scabbard, however there is a stud which holds the reverse hilt fitting.
g. Rarety. Quite rare.

Blade obverse

Blade reverse

**Michael Ryan** · 09-13-2014, 11:41 AM

Sword 58 (68) Maufactured by the firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C. The Trade Mark is a King's Head along side a Knight's Helmet over the initials "WK&C".

a. Hilt. Cast in brass and the backstrap is attached using a pair of brass rivets. The grip is of wood with a shagreen cover and a brass wire wrap.
b. Obverse Langet. Plain.
c. Reverse langet. Plain
d. Pommel. Plain dove head.
e. Blade. Polished steel with single fuller and unatributed etching..
f. Scabbard. Standard black steel scabbard with a brass fixed single ring suspension fitting and loop to the reverse side of the scabbard.
g. Rarety. Scarce.

Obverse blade etching.

Reverse blade etching.

**Michael Ryan** · 09-13-2014, 11:46 AM

Sword 59 (54) Maufactured by the firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C. The Trade Mark is a Knight's Helmet over the initials "WKC".

a. Hilt. Cast in brass and the backstrap is attached using a pair of brass rivets. The grip is of wood with a shagreen cover and a brass wire wrap.
b. Obverse Langet. Plain.
c. Reverse langet. Plain
d. Pommel. Plain dove head.
e. Blade. Plated steel with single fullers.
f. Scabbard. Standard black steel scabbard with a single ring suspension fitting and loop to the reverse side of the scabbard.
g. Rarety. Fairly common.

**Michael Ryan** · 09-13-2014, 12:09 PM

Sword 60 (47) Maufactured by the firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C and the Trade Mark is a King's Head along side a Knight's Helmet over the initials "WK&C".

a. Hilt. Cast in brass. The backstrap is attached directly to the blade tang. The grip is of wood with a plastic cover and a brass wire wrap. The pommel is in the form of a jawless lion head. This sword is unusual in that it also has a pair of rivets to the backstrap
b. Obverse Langet. A floral wreath superimposed over crossed cannon.
c. Reverse langet. A styled shield within a wreath of laurel (signifying Victory)to the left and oak (signifying Strength) to the right. This particular configeration of foiliage was popular with the later Lufwaffe and appears on anumber of their badges. The shield bears the original owner's initials "v. (von) H."
d. Pommel. Lion head.
e. Blade. Plain, plated steel with single full size fullers.
f. Scabbard. Standard black steel scabbard with single brass ring suspension fitting and devoid of the rectangular suspension loop to rear.
g. Rarety. Quite scarce

**Michael Ryan** · 09-13-2014, 12:26 PM

Sword 61 (23) Maufactured by the firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C, the Trade Mark is a King's Head over the initials "WKC".

a. Hilt. Cast in brass. The backstrap is attached using a pair of brass rivets. The grip is of wood with a plastic cover and a brass wire wrap.
b. Obverse Langet. A Political Eagle superimposed over foliage.
c. Reverse langet. Plain shield within a plain outline.
d. Pommel. foliage patterned dove head.
e. Blade. Plain, plated steel with single full size fullers.
f. Scabbard. Standard black steel scabbard with single ring suspension fitting and rectangular suspension loop to rear.
g. Rarety. Quite common.

**Michael Ryan** · 09-13-2014, 03:59 PM

Sword 62 (72) Maufactured by the firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C. The Trade Mark is a Knight's Helmet over the initials "WKC".

a. Hilt. Cast in brass and the backstrap is attached using a pair of brass rivets. The grip is of wood with a plastic cover and a brass wire wrap.
b. Obverse Langet. Plain.
c. Reverse langet. Plain
d. Pommel. Plain dove head.
e. Blade. Plated steel with single fuller.
f. Scabbard. Standard black steel scabbard with a brass fixed single ring suspension fitting and loop to the reverse side of the scabbard.
g. Rarety. Fairly common.

**Michael Ryan** · 09-13-2014, 04:07 PM

Sword 63 (40) Maufactured by the firm of Weyersberg Kirschbaum and Cie, WKC, WK&C and the Trade Mark is a King's Head along side a Knight's Helmet over the initials "WK&C".

a. Hilt. Cast in brass. The backstrap is attached directly to the blade tang. The grip is of wood with a plastic cover and a brass wire wrap.
b. Obverse Langet. A floral wreath encompassing a pair of crossed sabres.
c. Reverse langet. Plain.
d. Pommel. Lion head with red glass eyes.
e. Blade. Plain, plated steel with single full size fullers.
f. Scabbard. Standard black steel scabbard with single ring suspension fitting and a rectangular suspension loop to rear.
g. Rarety. Quite scarce