Collectors

The yr is winding down and I wondered if you found something in 2021 that you were glad to get!

Or something you wished you did!

Another covid yr and a few show shows for folks allowed to travel!


Maybe you went to a show!

I didn't make any!

Maybe a trade you made! Bought from a dealer or friend!


Friends always seem to be easier to deal with!


Show or tell us what you did!

Maybe a hint at what you might do in the new yr!



Hope you all have a great new year and thanks to all that take time to share and post on German Daggers!


Collectors Corner wishes all of the members continue sucess in your goals!


PVON

Thanks, Paul,

I appreciate your presence here.

Dave

Gents,

This is an Imperial Austrian police helmet for the Vienna Police (Sicherheitswache). It has a black painted metal body instead of one of the usual German spike helmet bodies which normally have a leather body. These policemen were considered to be Officials (Beamte) in WWI Austria and this helmet is for an officer since it has a metal scale chin strap rather than one made of black leather. These policemen were folded into the German Polizei structure during WWII. They took a new oath, got new German Police uniforms, and functioned as German Schutzpolizei and Gendarmerie until the end of WWII. They then went back to being Austrian Policemen once again. Interestingly, Austrian Policemen continued to wear this spike helmet as late as 1933 according to photographs found in a period special edition of "Bergland" magazine covering the Austrian Polizei.

I first saw one of these helmets in a flea market in Vienna some twenty or thirty years ago. I wanted to buy it then but shipping it home was too much of a hassle. So, finally one pops up in the US this last year and I picked up an item that has been on my want list for over 20 years.

Orpo

You sure do find unique items!

Thanks for showing!

PVON

Thank you for the kudos. This is what happens when you collect obscure stuff. Here is a photo of the helmet in wear. You can also see them worn in the new mystery series "Vienna Blood" on PBS.

Gents,

I picked up a very nice Austrian Model 1869 Cavalry Saber at a local military show early this year. This is a private purchase example of the issue sword for Enlisted Men and NCOs. It was made by Weyersberg & Stamm in Solingen and so marked on the reverse ricasso of the blade. The obverse ricasso is marked, "Eisenhauer" or Iron Cutter indicating the high quality steel. These swords are interesting in that the sword is massive with a wide nickeled blade. The blade has a pronounced ricasso and a wide fuller on the obverse side with a flat slab side on the reverse. The nickeled steel basket guard has a rolled reinforcement along the edges with seven round drain holes and two slots for the attachment of a sword knot. The plated steel backstrap is plain with two "ears" near the basket guard. The grip is sharkskin made without wire for Enlisted Men. The nickeled steel scabbard has a suspension bar on the back near the throat and a fixed ring below the bar.

I was happy to find this sword at the show.