Germany, Third Reich. A Reich Forestry Association Official’s Cutlass, by Ewald Cleef

(Deutscher Forstschutz Hirschfänger). A very well-preserved German Forestry Association official’s cutlass, measuring 540 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 410 mm-long magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. Both the obverse and reverse of the blade feature intricately-detailed, acid-etched designs depicting stags and deer in forested settings, with the obverse depicting a hunter and dog in action. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “EWALD CLEFF, SOLINGEN”, while an additional identical maker’s mark is set into the upper edge of the blade, flanked on each side by arabesque and floral designs. The blade sits securely within a one-piece polished brass hilt, itself demonstrating a rich patina, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. The upper crossguard features a quillon in the form of a deer’s hoof, while a ribbed clamshell serves as a handguard. Two pieces of polished bone comprise the handle grip, and are secured together with three brass rivets which take the form of acorns on the obverse. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a boiled blackened leather shaft. Brass fittings are secured to both the tip and throat with reverse rivets, while the obverse of the latter features a downward-pointing hook emanating from the obverse for the accommodation of a frog. The throat fixture also retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the cutlass in place during storage. Minor, age-appropriate issues are evident, and include slight oxidation of the blade and brass features, small chips to the handle grips near the pommel, and some fatigue to the scabbard leather. This otherwise exquisite cutlass is in an overall near extremely fine condition.