UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Hunting, Forestry, and Shooting Forum Unique WK&C Silver Fanger

Here is a piece that I picked up from the fine Cashicollection.. Marked with the early two helmets WK & C MM, it also sports a quill back blade! Would love the experts opinion on this one and its era and application (forestry?). The hand work really blows me away and I cant find another anything like it?? THANKS, Kevin.

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That's a fantastic piece Kevin,the details on clamshell and scabbard is absolutely beautiful.

Different,it has a 1871 model Jager bayonet blade on it that has been shortened..

Kevin

First of all let me say that you have a wonderful original walking out dress hirschfänger made by WK&C circa 1890-1910. All parts of it are textbook WK&C, in this piece they have used there most standard deluxe fittings, they do not come much better than this, Damast is right, the blade has lost around an inch I suspect but that in my opinion does not detract on what is a very nice hirschfänger. The use of the quill back blade is just fine with this piece, I have a hirschfänger though not as deluxe as yours with the same style blade and I have seen a number over the years from all sorts of manufacturers, these types of hirschfängers also came with and without a Guarde star that can be fixed to the clamshell, they are generally accepted as being for Garde Jäger or Schützen battalions, the real bonus for you as well is the portepee which is the correct type for a Jäger officer, I would not be surprised if it was original to the piece.
As with most manufacturers during the Imperial period they offered the opportunity to design and have your own hirschfänger made just for you made from there stock of parts, in my opinion you could mix and match to get what you wanted, you'll never find your exact piece in any company stock book so in that respect it probably is unique. Did you notice the lack of staples holding the scabbard fittings on, I believe these are pressed on and glued fittings enabling the ugly staples to not destroy the look of the highly engraved fittings, when you see the reverse of the scabbard fittings engraved as well as the front you know they were proud to have made such a piece and probably used their most highly skilled workers to put this piece together.
Whatever you have a highly desirable piece from the ultimate collection.


Enjoy it mate, it is wonderful.

Gary

I will 2nd that..

Great catch, Kevin. And, Cash is super to deal with.

John

THANKS all,

Wow Gary, Thanks for the very informative and in depth reply! Very excited about this piece and I am very glad to hear this is a correct portopee as I was wondering if it was just a typical NCO dress bayo Port! Thanks again as I am educated once again! Best, Kevin.

Hey folks,lets see any examples that share these fittings from WKC or Fangers that have the "Quill" or "Pipe Back" blade like this for comparison! Pull them out guys! Best, Kevin.