UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons German Sword & Miniatures Forum sword grips

Here is a question for the swords guys. I know the early Imp. army swords had the shark skin grips, but when did they start the use of the celluloid for the grip? Earlies dates I mean.

thanks in advance!!

I doubt that a definite cut off date can be determined. Not all Imperial swords had sharkskin grips. The practice generally tapered off during the Weimar years, and you almost never see sharkskin on anything made after 1936. I say almost because if I say never, someone is sure to find an exception. I would say any sword with a sharkskin grip is probably pre 1918. I dont know if its possible to be more specific than that. However, you cannot say that all celluloid griped swords were made after 1918 because a lot of Imperial pieces were made with the celluloid grips. Look at the Eickhorn and WKC Imperial catalogs for proof. Joe S