German Sword?

Spunjer · 30th December 2012, 12:23 AM

a friend of mine asked me if i could help him with this particular sword. unfortunately, my knowledge is limited to moro and filipino stuff, so i told him i could ask around.
what got my attention is the blade. i see damascus pattern on it. i didn't realized european blade can have such vivid pattern. the blade has a stamp on one side:" Freu (?) bis in den Tod", and on the other side "MEYERSBERG & STAMM SOLINGEN EISENHAUER". the handle appears to be wrapped in rayskin. unfortunately, no scabbard. my question is: from what era is this particular sword? is it a pretty common type? it appears to be a naval cutlass.
thanks in advance.

Sajen · 30th December 2012, 12:41 AM

Hi Ron,

can't tell you from which erea this sword but the inscription mean "Treu bis in den Tod", translated "faithful until dead". I think it's from WWI or WWII and it is for sure a german sword.

Regards,

Detlef

Spunjer · 30th December 2012, 12:46 AM

tahnk you very much, Detlef! i love the lamination on this particular sword. just gorgeous!

Sajen · 30th December 2012, 12:52 AM

Yes, agree, look very nice.

Rick · 30th December 2012, 12:53 AM

Firstly, I know nothing about European swords .
Caveat over .
The 'Birdseye pattern' screams India repro to me ...

I'm probably wrong though .

Sajen · 30th December 2012, 01:01 AM

Just google, the other inscription is "Weyersberg & Stamm, Solingen", will tell you more just I find something.

Sajen · 30th December 2012, 01:18 AM

So I find out that it is not german but an austrian "kuk KavOffzS M1869" from around 1870-1880 because Weyersberg & Stamm stop the production 1880.

But I am sure that other members here will be able to tell you many more about this interesting sword.

Martin Lubojacky · 30th December 2012, 01:12 AM

Extremely nice sabre !
I would say this is Austrian cavalry officer and probably special piece - the basket looks like M 1904, while the blade M 1869
(correct should be Weyersberg, not Meyersberg....)

Martin Lubojacky · 2nd January 2013, 12:15 AM

Enclosed please find 2 pictures - cav. officers M1869 and M1904:

M1869 has symmetric basket ending with valute

M1904 has assymetrical basket without valute.

M1869 usually, or mostly employed blades with fuller on outer side only.

Regards,
Martin

RSWORD · 2nd January 2013, 01:57 AM

That has a beautiful pattern welded damascus blade. While one does have to be careful with the "birds eye" pattern, there are authentic old examples in both Indian and European blades. This one is authentic and Ron you should offer to do a light polish and etch because that pattern will really pop.

Spunjer · 2nd January 2013, 03:13 AM

Martin: thank you for the confirmation! that's exactly what it is; it has fuller on one side only.
Rick: i'll bring that up to the owner. i can just imagine how it is when etched!

Battara · 4th January 2013, 01:09 AM

I bring a different angle: I have seen this pattern of damascus on WWI and later Nazi presentation sword blades.

30th December 2012, 12:23 AM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	German Sword? a friend of mine asked me if i could help him with this particular sword. unfortunately, my knowledge is limited to moro and filipino stuff, so i told him i could ask around. what got my attention is the blade. i see damascus pattern on it. i didn't realized european blade can have such vivid pattern. the blade has a stamp on one side:" Freu (?) bis in den Tod", and on the other side "MEYERSBERG & STAMM SOLINGEN EISENHAUER". the handle appears to be wrapped in rayskin. unfortunately, no scabbard. my question is: from what era is this particular sword? is it a pretty common type? it appears to be a naval cutlass. thanks in advance. Attached Images

2nd January 2013, 12:15 AM	#9
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	Enclosed please find 2 pictures - cav. officers M1869 and M1904: M1869 has symmetric basket ending with valute M1904 has assymetrical basket without valute. M1869 usually, or mostly employed blades with fuller on outer side only. Regards, Martin Attached Images

30th December 2012, 12:41 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,491	Hi Ron, can't tell you from which erea this sword but the inscription mean "Treu bis in den Tod", translated "faithful until dead". I think it's from WWI or WWII and it is for sure a german sword. Regards, Detlef

30th December 2012, 12:46 AM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	tahnk you very much, Detlef! i love the lamination on this particular sword. just gorgeous!

30th December 2012, 12:52 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,491	Yes, agree, look very nice.

30th December 2012, 12:53 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Firstly, I know nothing about European swords . Caveat over . The 'Birdseye pattern' screams India repro to me ... I'm probably wrong though .

30th December 2012, 01:01 AM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,491	Just google, the other inscription is "Weyersberg & Stamm, Solingen", will tell you more just I find something.

30th December 2012, 01:18 AM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,491	So I find out that it is not german but an austrian "kuk KavOffzS M1869" from around 1870-1880 because Weyersberg & Stamm stop the production 1880. But I am sure that other members here will be able to tell you many more about this interesting sword.

30th December 2012, 01:12 AM	#8
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	Extremely nice sabre ! I would say this is Austrian cavalry officer and probably special piece - the basket looks like M 1904, while the blade M 1869 (correct should be Weyersberg, not Meyersberg....)

2nd January 2013, 01:57 AM	#10
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	That has a beautiful pattern welded damascus blade. While one does have to be careful with the "birds eye" pattern, there are authentic old examples in both Indian and European blades. This one is authentic and Ron you should offer to do a light polish and etch because that pattern will really pop.

2nd January 2013, 03:13 AM	#11
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Martin: thank you for the confirmation! that's exactly what it is; it has fuller on one side only. Rick: i'll bring that up to the owner. i can just imagine how it is when etched!

4th January 2013, 01:09 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I bring a different angle: I have seen this pattern of damascus on WWI and later Nazi presentation sword blades.