Germany, Kriegsmarine. An NCO/Officer’s Sabre, by Weyersburg, Kirschbaum & Co.

(Kriegsmarine Säbel für Offiziere und Unteroffiziere). A very well-preserved Kriegsmarine NCO/Officer’s sabre, measuring 895 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 755 mm-long curved and polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened lower edge. It presents plain, with the exception of a maker’s mark near the reverse ricasso of “WKC” for Weyersburg, Kirschbaum & Co., Solingen, topped by the firm’s classic knight’s helmet logo. It also bears a stamped Kriegsmarine Waffenamt mark. The blade sits securely within a multi-piece gilded bronze hilt, with the seam covered by an intact red wool buffer pad. A swivel clamshell-style medallion emanates from the obverse of the crossguard, bearing a raised fouled anchor set within a floral border, and securely locks in place. The opposite side of the crossguard bears a reverse stamped control number of “O.260”, indicating distribution to the Ostsee district. The hilt’s basket takes the form of a stylized lion’s head with a finely-detailed main, while a single piece of ribbed white celluloid comprises the handle grip. An original intact length of twisted bronze cord remains inset into the grip’s ribbing. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shaft. Three gilded bronze fixtures are each secured in place with a single reverse rivet at the tip, mid-section, and throat. Stamped onto the reverse of the tip fixture is an additional matching Waffenamt mark. Emanating from the mid-section and throat fixtures are integral loops for the accommodation of an optional sword hanger. The throat features a protruding stud, and retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the sabre in place during storage. A partially-legible Ostsee control number is similarly stamped onto the throat. Minor issues consistent with age and light wear are evident, and include some tarnishing of the blade, minor loss of finish to the gilded bronze features, some fatigue to the scabbard’s leather core resulting in loss of finish, and a small dent to the obverse of the scabbard’s throat fixture. The sabre is in an overall near extremely fine condition.