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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5
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OP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5 |
Has anyone seen or have knowledge of the existence of a Death's Head on an Imperial sword, or TR piece.I have never seen one.However in Johnson and Whittman's Imperial sword book there is a photograph of such a piece carried by the crown prince. It seems to be a jawless lionhead with a death's head affixed on the P guard.Seems it would be quite a rare collectable. Wonder if the head was pinned or carved,and produced by whom.Are there any such animals in existence today?
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,077
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,077 |
The only one(s) I have seen are early SS "nco" or ordinance sabers with the skull engraved or etched into the langet. I would think a high-ranking member of the nobility could have his sword decorated in any fashion he saw fit. I don't think it would be out of the ordinary for a skull to be affixed to or cast into the hilt for certain people. I agree that such a configuration would be quite rare.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 20
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 20 |
I've seen a few over the years,saw one for sale at SOS this year.All have been atributed to the 1st. or 2nd Hussars. On everyone I've seen the skull was afixed to the P guard.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,229 Likes: 1
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,229 Likes: 1 |
I had a "Hussar" piece several years ago with the skull in the blade etch. I have seen a few others, some with TWO skulls in the etch. Not a common sword.
MAX & OVMS Life Member, MAX Bd. of Experts. GDC Platinum Dealer. Collector since 1955.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,274
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,274 |
Service branch motifs are seen as an integral part of the hilt casting and as attachments. Not common, regimental �distinctions� usually are attachments and are seen with some regiments more than others. Regimental distinctions are also seen as etchings. Although almost all of the etched regimental blades are on enlisted men�s swords instead of officer�s models. FP
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,229 Likes: 1
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,229 Likes: 1 |
Yes--the swords I mentioned above were the enlisted/NCO type
MAX & OVMS Life Member, MAX Bd. of Experts. GDC Platinum Dealer. Collector since 1955.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 79
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 79 |
In Paul Sanders' book, "Imperial German Hussars 1880-1910" there are a few photos of a Death's Head on an officer saber's P guard. Also, Dieter Heich's website has a Prussian Kavallerie KD 1889 mit Totenkopf for sale. On this saber, the Death's Head is on the blade and pertains to the Braunschweig Hussar Regiment (No. 17). FYI.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 594
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 594 |
Posting pic from the Dieter Heich website.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,274
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,274 |
Just offhand, my best recollection is that what might be considered interesting with the �Death�s Head motif� by Braunschweig is that it seems to have been borrowed from their English cousins. The state originally belonging to the English crown, with the �White Horse of Hannover� being seen on the British national coat of arms (including some sword blades) from that time period. After they parted ways Braunschweig continued to use the �Death�s Head� which also seems to have been adopted by others as time progressed. FP
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,174 Likes: 1
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,174 Likes: 1 |
I had a chance to buy a sword exactly like the one pictured by
Stephane at the Pomona Military show last Nov. I wish now that I had.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,430 Likes: 2
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,430 Likes: 2 |
Coulda, shoulda, woulda.I hate when that happens.I think we`re all guilty of that!! 
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,229 Likes: 1
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,229 Likes: 1 |
I have found that the biggest mistakes one makes in a collecting career-is what we did not buy--not what you would think. He who hesitates too much thinking he should not buy-most often wishes he had. 
MAX & OVMS Life Member, MAX Bd. of Experts. GDC Platinum Dealer. Collector since 1955.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,770 Likes: 65
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,770 Likes: 65 |
Bringing this old topic alive, as I finally found a sword of this unit, which was also called "the Black Corps" or "the Black Legion", because of their black uniforms.
We all know who they inspired later on...
1.JPG (87.27 KB, 84 downloads) 2.JPG (79.84 KB, 84 downloads)
You never have enough HJ-knifes!
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1 member likes this:
C. Wetzel-20609 |
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,770 Likes: 65
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,770 Likes: 65 |
Here are some period images of these Braunsweig Hussars with their typical black uniforms and skull on their headgear.
You never have enough HJ-knifes!
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 98
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 98 |
That's a very beautiful blade, Herman. Love the blued panel.
Regards, Wim
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,090 Likes: 60
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,090 Likes: 60 |
WOW Herman!
That is one gorgeous sword!
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,770 Likes: 65
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,770 Likes: 65 |
Wim, Mikee,
Thank you for your kind words!
On the other side of the blade, the deadhead Hussars are charging!
Herman
3.JPG (70.68 KB, 39 downloads)
You never have enough HJ-knifes!
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