Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a rare German WWII Heer (Army) Cavalry Ordnance Sword, complete with its original matched scabbard and a lovely leather and bullion NCO troddel knot. These were used during the interwar period and during the build up to WWII, after which they were replaced. As they were not produced for a long period of time, they very rarely come to market. This is the first example that we have ever had, and it looks to be a nice one!

In form the sword is a simplified "Dove head" design, with a brass hilt bearing the "dove" pommel, "P" guard, and a crossguard with two langets over the blade, which terminates in a nice quillon. The brass is completely unadorned except for markings, and it has a lovely black celluloid covered wooden grip, which is bound by a skein of 4 brass wires, twisted in to reversed pairs. The hilt is in lovely shape, as is the grip, with no major damage and a great patina. It is still tight on the guard, with no wobble, and is marked on the top of the guard with C.E. / 38 and serial number 2544, indicating 1938 manufacture by Carl Eickhorn. There are also Waffenamt Eagle / WaA253 inspection markings on both sides of the guard and on the backstrap.

The included leather and bullion troddel knot looks to be the NCO type, with a green leather strap with lines of bullion embroidery, and a very nice patinated silver "knot" on the end.

The blade on this sword is in very good condition, measuring 27 5/8” inches in length with high quality nickel plating, which is mostly intact. There is scattered oxidation spots due to the plating lifting a bit, very common on swords of this age, but there is no major flaking or oxidation present. There is some scuffing from cleaning and the scabbard throat, as there is on just about every sword out there. The edge is correctly unsharpened, and only shows a few very small tiny dents, and no chips or major wear. 

The reverse ricasso under the chappe / rainguard is stamped with the simplified 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the firm's name and location, Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany. According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers. The spine of the blade has an additional Waffenamt Eagle / WaA253 proof, correct for Eickhorn.

The blued steel scabbard of this example is in very good condition, marked with C.E. / 38 over Waffenamt Eagle / WaA253 on one side, and with serial number 2544 on the other, matching the hilt completely. The scabbard body is straight and undented, still retaining the hanger loop and rectangular slot for "hitching up" the sword. The original blued finish is well retained, with some oxidation specks overall from age.

A lovely example of a rare Pre-WWII German Cavalry Ordnance sword by the most legendary of all Solingen makers. Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:
Overall length: 33 1/8”
Blade length: 27 5/8”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Guard dimensions: 5 1/2" width x 5 1/4” length
Scabbard Length: 39 1/2"