Germany, Third Reich. A Shooting Association Cutlass, by Alcoso

(Deutscher Schützenverband Hirschfänger). A scarce and well-preserved German Shooting Association cutlass, measuring 54 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 41 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. The blade features double-sided, acid-etched designs consisting of forestry scenes interspersed with arabesques and bullseye targets. The reverse ricasso is maker marked “ALCOSO, SOLINGEN” for the former firm of Alexander Coppell, circumscribing a classic scale logo. The blade sits securely within an aluminum crossguard, with the seam retaining an original blackened leather buffer pad. The crossguard features hooked quillons presenting as acorns, while the obverse has a clamshell bearing a wreathed German Shooting Association insignia, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid, with the obverse bearing a patinated bronze crossed rifle insignia. It completes with a ribbed aluminum pommel with a grooved nut, screwing in to maintain the cutlass’ structural integrity. It is accompanied by its mis-matched but period scabbard, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shaft. Magnetic metal fixtures are riveted to both the tip and throat. The latter retain a functional spring catch to firmly hold the cutlass in place during storage, with an additional stud accommodating a brown leather frog, complete with a loop for uniform suspension. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some tarnishing and surface wear to the blade, nicks to the aluminum fixtures, and some loosening of the handle grip. This rare cutlass is in a near extremely fine condition.