Germany, Heer. An Officer’s Dress Sword, by Paul Seilheimer

(Heer Schwert für Offiziere). A very well-preserved Heer Officer’s dress sword, measuring 91.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 75 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a slight curvature, sharpened tip, and with a fuller running approximately two-thirds of the top edge of each side of the blade. The sword is maker marked on the reverse ricasso “PAUL SEILHEIMER, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s monogram logo. It sits securely within a multi-piece hilt featuring a gilded bronze crossguard and hand guard, with an intact black leather buffer pad covering the seam. The obverse of the crossguard bears a raised Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, with raised oak leaves distributed across the hilt’s spine in high relief. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black painted magnetic metal shaft. An integral ring on the upper quarter of the shaft retains loops for the accommodation of a hanger. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, tarnishing of the bronze fixtures, and minor loss of scabbard paint. A high-quality example in near extremely fine condition.