UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons German Sword & Miniatures Forum Imperial artillary sword: triple etched & damascus

Gentlemen,

I am looking for some information on this Imperial sword:

The dedication reads: "Genthe S. / R. Mez 1905".

"Genthe" & "Mez" are both German family names, so could this be a marriage sword?

Thanks for any information you might have.

Best regards,

Herman

Beautiful blade!!!

It reads 'S/L' not S/R, and stands for seine Lieber (his friend), so this is a beautiful sword presented by one soldier to another brother-soldier in that year.

That's a beauty Herman.
Are you into swords now ?

Thx guys !


Hello Tristan,

But, in that case, is not it strange that the ranks of the concerned soldiers is not mentioned? Taken into account the quality of the piece, I believe it must have been worn by a high ranking officer, most likely from noble origine... As you know, by that time, aristocrats were well presented in the artillary units.
Could it not have been presented by the "fiancée" (future wife )of the officer?


Hello Stingray,

No, I just buy a sword now and then... when I like it.
What about you?


I'll add a couple of better pics.

Best regards,

Herman

Hi Herman...I do think the wedding scenario is unlikely, more likely to be Officer to Officer, and as they would be very close friends then also likely to be the same rank.
I have never seen a rank specified on an 'S/L'dedication, only on an award-sword for some kind of achievement.
Young Officers, say, of Leutnant rank could well come from wealthy families and be able to afford such gifts. Here is an example of an IOD89 with an 'S/L' dedication on one side and motto (To the Enemy Defiance To the Friend Protection)on the other and some nice gold wash half-way down the blade. Also of interest is the recipient's initials on the grip cap to be used as an ink stamp.

Thank you, Tristan, for educating me on this sword dedication.
Much appreciated that you also show one of your own, a real beauty, by the way!

Mine has no motto on the reverse side: just some decorative etchings: see the extra pics!

More comments are always welcome.

Best regards,

Herman

A very nice sword with an exceptional blade. Also being inclined to agree with Tristan that it's a gift from one officer to another. Best Regards, Fred

Thanks a lot, Fred!

Anyone has an idea who could have made this sword? Is the hilt a known pattern?

I cannot find any maker mark... Only the "Ges. Gesch." stamp.

Best regards,

Herman

Hi Herman....A very similar sword is shown in Johnsons book on Imperial German Edged Weaponry (pp. 16-20). It has exactly the same filigreed knucklebow and the same shaped shield on the reverse langet. However this sword is for cavalry as the obverse langet has crossed swords, unlike your example of crossed cannons.
The blade is Damascus although it is differently engraved. There is no maker mark on this sword either, unfortunately, but it is clearly from the same maker but with some parts adjusted for the particular buyer.

Eickhorn

Thank you Tristan, for looking that up! I will need to get that book on Imperial swords.

Why do you conclude it must be Eickhorn, Damast?

Best regards,

Herman