Germany, Weimar Republic. A Reichsmarine Officer’s Sword, by E. & F. Hörster

(Reichsmarine Offiziers-Schwert). A well-preserved Reichsmarine Officer’s sword, measuring 95 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features an 81 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and with a narrow fuller running the majority of the length of the top edge of each side of the blade. The obverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “E. & F. HÖRSTER, SOLINGEN”, while the reverse ricasso appropriately bears the firm’s logo, and is additionally stamped with a Reichsmarine distribution mark. The blade sits securely within a gilded bronze hilt featuring a retractable clamshell disc on the obverse bearing a raised fouled anchor, an additional retractable clip on the obverse with an eyelet that locks onto a stud emanating from the scabbard. Stamped onto the reverse of the latter is an issue number of “N565”, possibly indicating issue to Nordsee personnel. The pommel takes the form of a detailed lion’s head with a hand guard emanating from its mouth and connecting to the crossguard, while the handle grip consists of a piece of ribbed and polished off-white bone, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled gilded wire cord. Wrapped around the handle is a matching portepee, consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn suspended from a strap of identical construction. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shaft. Gilded bronze fittings are secured to the tip, mid-section, and throat. Emanating from the latter two are loops for the accommodation of a hanger. Also stamped onto the throat fixture is a Reichsmarine distribution mark and matching issue number of “N565”, indicating a matched set. Some issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include slight running marks to the blade, wear of the portepee, and detachment of the throat fixture from the scabbard shaft with additional loosening of the throat core. This high-quality example produced between 1921 and 1935 remains in a very fine condition.