BACKGROUND: The Sword/Saber is an age old military tradition, that evolved from a functional weapon into an item of uniform dress ornamentation by the start of WWI. This strong tradition continues in many armies and navies to this day as a symbol of strength and power. After Hitler’s rise to power in January 1933 and the reintroduction of conscription in March 1935 a wide variety of new sword and saber designs were introduced to outfit the rapidly growing Wehrmacht. This revival in sword/saber production resulted in the numerous blade manufacturers, mainly located in Solingen, to develop a wide variety of ornate designs in an attempt to compete for the lucrative manufacturing contracts which resulted in over one hundred different patterns of the army sword/saber being produced during the Third Reich era. The Kriegsmarine Officer’s saber can trace its origins back to 1848 with the establishment of the Imperial Prussian Navy composed of a fleet from the un-unified, German states. This fledgling navy was abolished in 1852 as result of disagreements amongst the independent states, but the sabre pattern was retained by the Königliche Marine, (Royal Prussian Navy). Although the German army introduced numerous patterns of swords/sabers during the Third Reich era the Navy maintained its traditional saber which remained virtually unchanged with minor variations. Dress regulations for Officers and senior NCO’s prescribed wear of side arms as a component of particular forms of dress. Officer and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms, including side arms, and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Navy’s Offizierkleiderkasse, (Officer’s Clothing Account), system. Although enlisted personnel were issued their side arms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately manufactured side arms although the price may have been restrictive. When worn the saber was accompanied by a portepee and specific hangers. Originally designed as a functional item to secure the blade sidearm to the holders wrist the portepee evolved into a purely decorative accessory and was to be worn with all Kriegsmarine Officers saber. Regulations of May 7TH 1943 discontinued further manufacture of the portepee’s although those already issued continued to be utilized. Issue sabers were marked with the Navy’s ordnance acceptance marks and property control marks while privately purchased side arms were not. Interestingly regulations of February 25TH 1944 discontinued wear of the dagger to be replaced with a pistol until the successful conclusion of the war although the saber was not mention in the order and presumably continued to be worn through-out the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 80cm long, slightly curved nickel/silver plated, drop forged steel construction blade. The blade is in overall good, clean, condition. Ricasso is well marked with acid etched manufacturers logo for "Eickhorn Solingen". There is a thick coat of protective grease on the blade, can be removed is desired. The saber has die cast, gilt plated, brass, hilt fittings consisting of an obverse, swivel hinged clam shell cross guard, a reverse, swivel hinged tab, a ferrule, a "D", knuckle bow, a back-strap and a nicely detailed, pronounced lion’s head pommel. The obverse, swivel hinged, clam shell cross guard can be set in a fold back or forward position as desired and features a high relief, embossed, vertical fouled anchor within a vertically oval border with an irregular pebbled background field, flanked by oak-leaves and acorns. The reverse of the cross guard has a small, half-moon shaped, swivel hinged tab with an embossed oak-leaf pattern to the obverse and a plain reverse with a central drilled hole. The reverse tab may be set in the downward position and the top scabbard fitting has a corresponding, small, horizontally extended dowel which slides into the hole on the tab securing the saber in the scabbard when required. The ferrule has a low relief, embossed oak-leaf and acorn pattern. The "D", knuckle bow has a high relief, embossed oak-leaf and acorn pattern on an irregular pebbled background field and extends from one side of the cross guard up to the lion head pommels mouth. The back-strap features a central, small, plain, scalloped panel, and an ornate, embossed foliage design that extends upwards into the flowing mane of the lion head pommel. The saber has a contoured, white celluloid grip with a central bulge, and triple, twisted, horizontally repeating, brass wire wrap all intact. A few small crack/chips to the grip. All the hilt fittings are still quite clean and bright. The saber comes with its original blackened leather scabbard with a vertical stitched seam to the reverse and three gilt plated brass fittings. All three fittings feature scalloped edges, ornate impressed stylized swirl patterns and horizontal stripes and are secured to the scabbard by large staple like clips on the reverse. The bottom fitting features an extended "drag", while the central and top fittings both have extended securing loops and the hanger suspension rings intact. The scabbard fittings are all still clean and bright. Nice matching numbers.