Württemberg, Kingdom. An Infantry Officer’s Sword, by Carl Eickhorn

(Württemberg Infanterie-Offiziers-Schwert). A well-preserved Württemberg Infantry Officer’s sword, measuring 93.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 77 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and dual narrow fullers running the majority of the length of each side. The reverse ricasso is maker marked with an early logo of the firm of Carl Eickhorn, Solingen, in a format used until 1921. The blade sits securely within a multi-piece hilt, with the seam covered by a partially-intact black leather buffer pad. The obverse of the hilt features a clamshell-style medallion bearing a Württemberg coat of arms set on a functional swivel hinge. A hand guard emanates from the medallion and connects to a pommel which bears the monogram of King Karl. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed black celluloid surrounding a wooden core, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black painted magnetic metal shaft. An integral band set in place just below the throat retains a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include significant pitting and loss of nickel plating to the blade, oxidation of the hilt, loosening of the handle wire, loss of scabbard paint resulting in surface oxidation, and the loss of the scabbard throat’s rivets which renders full insertion of the sword difficult. It remains in an overall very fine condition.