Item:
ONSV24MDS006

In stock

Original German WWII Blücher Pattern Field Marshal Lion Head Officers Sword by Carl Eickhorn with Steel Scabbard

Regular price $895.00

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of the desirable "Blücher" variation of the popular Feldherrn Serie (Commander Series) of German Army Officer's swords by famed firm Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. Named after famous figures in German history, many of which were high ranking military officers, the series has a total of nine different variations. These are usually referred to as the Feldmarschall (Field Marshal) series by collectors, even though only four of the nine actually held that rank. These included the Wrangel, Scharnhorst, Freiherr vom Stein, Roon, Derfflinger, Zieten, and Blücher patterns. The Prinz Eugen and Lützow patterns were added in 1938 and 1939, which are the rarest patterns to find.

The swords were made based on drawings by Paul Casberg, and included to "Dove's Head" and "Lion's Head" designs. These drawings in many cases are still in existence, and the earliest drawing, for the “Wrangel” pattern, is dated 1936, while the last drawings, for the “Blücher” and “Roon” patterns, are dated 1938. This means that the swords were not necessarily released in the order that they were designed, however the Wrangel is generally accepted to be the earliest type produced.

The Pattern 1710 - Blücher Sword is named after Prussian Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, and is one of the rarer ones seen, with this example being only the second example that we have had! Blücher earned his greatest recognition after leading his army against Napoleon I at the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig in 1813 and the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Along with Paul von Hindenburg, he was the most highly decorated Prussian-German soldier in history: Blücher and Hindenburg are the only Prussian-German military officers to have been awarded the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross.

This piece is a real treasure as it is not constructed from the later war aluminum, but rather is made of solid brass. It really looks magnificent, retaining much of the finely gilded finish, and comes with a great black enamel finished steel scabbard. The Blücher pattern features a fine lion head with a long snout. The under jaw and whiskers have been hand enhanced, along with the brow and mane, which flows partially down the backstrap. This cat is fitted with faceted red glass eyes. The backstrap is decorated with overlapping laurel leaves and a raised blank oval to accept a monogram. The “P” also has raised oak leaves and acorns decorating the surface, a common motif that is also found on the grip ferrule.

The crossguard features an extremely attractive Art Deco style open-winged eagle which looks to the viewer’s left. The breast feathering on this fine bird has been nicely hand enhanced, as has the wreath and raised mobile swas. Sprays of oak leaves have been added on either side of the talons. The lower hilt of the sword is stamped D. R. P., indicating that the design is protected by a German patent. The oval panel on the reverse of the guard is not marked, but would sometimes have a monogram added.

The black celluloid covered wooden grip is tightly wrapped with a skein of 6 brass wires, twisted in pairs, with the center pair being thicker. There is some looseness and bending to the wire binding, which has a lovely mellow oxidized patina. The grip itself is in great shape, with no cracking we can see, and a nice shiny finish. The hilt is still solidly attached to the tang, with just a tiny bit of wobble on the cross guard. The leather blade buffer is intact and in good shape.

The blade on this sword is in excellent condition, measuring 31 3/4 inches with the highest quality nickel plating. This plating is almost completely intact, with no flaking or oxidation, just some light scuffing from cleaning and the scabbard throat. The edge is correctly unsharpened, and only shows a few very small tiny dents, and no chips or major wear. Really a fantastic example!

The reverse ricasso under the chappe / rainguard is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and 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 scabbard of this example is in very good condition, with the original black enamel finish retained almost completely, showing just a bit of chipping in areas. The scabbard body is mostly straight, though there is just a bit of a dog leg about 6 inches up from the drag. This does not interfere with sheathing the blade. The hanger loop and rectangular slot for "hitching up" the sword are still present and in great shape.

This is a wonderful looking Blücher Pattern Field Marshal sword, from the most legendary of all German makers. If you are looking for a great example to hang on the wall, this one should do it!

Specifications:
Overall length: 37”
Blade length: 31 3/4”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Guard dimensions: 5 1/4" width x 4 1/2” length
Scabbard Length: 32 5/8"

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