Solingen Presentational Sword

Jim McDougall · 10th January 2017, 05:37 PM

Hi Alex,
This is a magnificent Prussian army presentation sword! and the intriguing letter font using what appears to be 'fraktur' adds to the handsome etched inscribed panels and decoration.
This stirrup hilt form sabre is of course long standing from Napoleonic period through the 19th century and actually continued up to WWII.

While I cannot translate the words exactly it appears to denote a particular regimental 'command' and the sword was presented to a hauptmann (captain) of this unit in 1875.

The high quality blade is indicated with the term 'eisenhauer' (= iron cutter) both in the blade above makers name at forte as well as in the decorative flourish etched on the blade (iron cutter etched in damask) . The etched Damascus pattern is decorative of course.

F. Horster was of this Solingen family of producers with Friedrich listed 1825-1875.

What is most interesting is the year of this presentation, 1875. The Franco-Prussian war had ended in 1871, but tension remained high. In 1875, in what seems to have been a strategic ploy, a news headline was generated suggesting war with France was again imminent. This created or perhaps better described as perpetuated the strained diplomatic maneuvering between most of the European super power nations, which eventually would result in WWI.

A book reviewed in the Oxford Univ Press journal 'German History', November 4, 2011 best describes the military climate in 1875 Germany,

"The War Scare of 1875: Bismarck and Europe in the mid 1870s" by James Stone; Stuttgart, Franz Steiner Verlag, 2010.

Perhaps this Prussian captain was awarded this sword either for meritorious service in the Franco-Prussian war during ongoing military recognition of that conflict. Possibly this may derive from 'military posturing' during these circumstances in 1875 as well.

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10th January 2017, 05:37 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,242	Hi Alex, This is a magnificent Prussian army presentation sword! and the intriguing letter font using what appears to be 'fraktur' adds to the handsome etched inscribed panels and decoration. This stirrup hilt form sabre is of course long standing from Napoleonic period through the 19th century and actually continued up to WWII. While I cannot translate the words exactly it appears to denote a particular regimental 'command' and the sword was presented to a hauptmann (captain) of this unit in 1875. The high quality blade is indicated with the term 'eisenhauer' (= iron cutter) both in the blade above makers name at forte as well as in the decorative flourish etched on the blade (iron cutter etched in damask) . The etched Damascus pattern is decorative of course. F. Horster was of this Solingen family of producers with Friedrich listed 1825-1875. What is most interesting is the year of this presentation, 1875. The Franco-Prussian war had ended in 1871, but tension remained high. In 1875, in what seems to have been a strategic ploy, a news headline was generated suggesting war with France was again imminent. This created or perhaps better described as perpetuated the strained diplomatic maneuvering between most of the European super power nations, which eventually would result in WWI. A book reviewed in the Oxford Univ Press journal 'German History', November 4, 2011 best describes the military climate in 1875 Germany, "The War Scare of 1875: Bismarck and Europe in the mid 1870s" by James Stone; Stuttgart, Franz Steiner Verlag, 2010. Perhaps this Prussian captain was awarded this sword either for meritorious service in the Franco-Prussian war during ongoing military recognition of that conflict. Possibly this may derive from 'military posturing' during these circumstances in 1875 as well.