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

I just picked up a super example of a Zeiten model sword. However, it doesnt have the ruby eyes, and really doesnt ever looked like it had any. Anyone ever run across this?

Does it have an Eickhorn marked blade? Several makers made swords very similar to the Eickhorn "Zeiten."

Hi Orpo, yep, it an Eick, Zeiten, I will try to post a pic of it next to my other one. It is a late war alum. type, maybe thats the reason.

Here are a few pics

one more

Lar-
Was that the one on gunbroker.com?

yep, thats the one.

Does it have the 41-44 mm mark?

It actually has the 35-41 trademark on the blade. I saw it and took a chance on it, and it actually turned out to be a super condictioned sword-Eventhough I already had one. Oh well, these were always my favorite area of collecting anyway.

Lar,

The "Zeiten" was listed in the Eickhorn catalog as their #1734. Most lion head swords were offered with glass eyes for Pf .55 extra so I suspect that glass eyes were simply an extra cost option.

Lar-
Well done. You got it for around $450 right? I had kept my eye on that one and had originally bid the first time he listed it about 5 months ago. At the time he had a reserve set and $450 wasnt enough. I knew that one was a screamer as I had extra photos the seller had sent me. I would have bid on it but money has become tight lately. Again, really nice score.

People often overlook gunbroker. I have had some incredible scores from that sight. Some have been retail, others below retaill. It just depends. Truth be told, the same holds true for ebay. I just scored a nice WKC flat knuckle from another website for $375. A discerning collector can still swing some decent deals. I suspect as the economy is tough right now, it's a good time to buy and there will likely be a little less competetion for pieces. Buy low, sell high.
Nice score.

Tom

yeah Tom, once in awhile something decent comes along. The sword collecting has always been my main interest in collecting, and nice to get the interest back. I guess I just need to get a little more active on the sword forum eh? Maybe we should post some of our nicer pieces, and get some more interest going. Sword I still think are a great bargain.

Yep.

That was a nice score. The seller was in Los Angeles. I would have gone for her if I had the dough but I had committed to another piece from somewhere else wrapping up $375.

I know what you mean sometimes. Only so much cash to go into the hobby, and these days its getting less and less. Sword are still a great bargain,and with such a variety, I dont know why there isnt a greater interest. I think I will start a thread on some of my swords, a maybe get others to join in. Cant let the SA/SS guys have all the fun!

on another note, has anyone any opinions on the sword books that Johnson put out?

I have seen several "Zeiten " pattern sabers which did NOT have Eickhorn marked blades. Has anyone ever seen such a saber listed in another company's catalog? My suspicion is that they were all made by Eickhorn, but some were sold to retailers who did NOT want maker marks or were sold or traded to other companies after 1942 when production of new sword parts was prohibited. any thoughts? Joe S

Joe,

Several other makers made swords that were very similar to the Eickhorn "Zeiten." WKC made a Model Nr.1061, H�ller made a Nr. 60, and Pack, Voos and several other makers made them. The devil is in the details and the flat knuckle guards are slightly different on all of them. I don't know how popular a seller they were but there were copies made by other manufacturers.

I actually just added a Nr 1060 dove head from WKC. It has some similiarities with the Eickhorn 1734 and 1735. Flat knuckle bow, being the primary likeness. My experience has been that the later two Eickhorns, alam. hilted examples are a bit lower in quality from thier earlier brass hilted counterparts, however do tend to retain thier gilting in better order. The WKC variants made in brass are a bit higher quality compared with the 2 later alum Eickhorn field marshals mentioned. I'll post a photo of the 1060 in brass I just bought. I would compare the WKC Nr. 61 with the 1735 Derfflinger due to its ornate design on the knuckle bow, back strap, etc. In fact I believe the Nr 61 to be the closest match to the Eickhorn 1735.

The purchase of the 1060 tied up my finances and prevented me from bidding on the Eickhorn Lar purchased. That being said, the 1060 was bought for only $375, which would be considered a fine deal for that particular example. Deals do come around from time to time and once they do, the collector needs to be ready to pounce. My sword purchasing power was slightly diminished in recent times with the focusing of enery and funds on completing a KM badge collection. I was fortunate enough to purchase the individual pieces at discounted prices, well below retail..probably around 35% less than the prevailing price. That being said, with what was spent building this collection over the last 15 months, I could have added in the neighborhood of 7 or 8 Heer sabers.