UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons German Sword & Miniatures Forum Dad's Sword Dilemma

Greetings.

My father served in the 254th Infantry 63rd Division during WWII. Somewhere along the way he acquired 2 German swords. I have had them in my possession since his death in 1970 and the house closets have reached maximum density.

I am either going to sell these out right, put them in an auction or donate to them to a Houston, TX museum. The sell or auction location is something I am still researching. The Premium Membership seems reasonable ($32.95/yr) to sell these items here. Is there a commission for selling items? However, an auction does appeal to me to let the market set the price (http://www.rockislandauction.com/home is the leading candidate.)

What I hope to accomplish with this post:
1. Make sure I have properly identified what I have.
2. See if opinions can be rendered as to the Condition. What are the Ranks? I understand that via a picture it is difficult at best if not impossible. Is there a reputable individual/shop in the Houston, TX area I could talk with?
3. Welcome any advice or counsel.

Below is what I think I have. See the next 2 posts.

Regards,
Will

Type - Lion Head Sword w/Superbly Detailed Eagle/Swastika Motif on Langet.
Markings - Robert Klaas, Solingen-Ohligs (circle design)
Notes: Scabbard is dent free, 85-90% of the original black enamel, medium surface rust on some of the exposed steel. Blade is dull, 3 pit plating spots (6 inches total length over width of blade), some pitting and speckling on spine, no nicks to cutting edge or damage to blade tip, rusting in hilt area, has 4 speck marks over the blade. Black celluloid grip is perfect with no wear, cracks or chips and is complete with superb, triple twisted wire wrap.

Type � WWI Veterans Sword (?). Dutch?
Markings � YZERHOUWER (about 5 inches below the hilt, 2� long, 3/8� wide)
Notes: Scabbard has 30-40% original nickel (?) plated finish, light rust and pits very where else. Blade is shinny, no pits, ~8 very small speckling marks. ~4 very small nicks on the blade edge, very close to perfect IMHO. Black celluloid grip is perfect with no wear, cracks or chips.

All Done. Additional photos upon request. Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Will

The first sword is a WWII era German saber, as worn by the army and Waffen-SS. The second sword, I'm not sure about. It could be Dutch, as you say. The sword knot appears to be the type associated with the early SS (assuming the leather is black). If the knot is original to the sword, that would place it in the early to mid- 1930's. There was a Dutch branch of the SS, which could explain the knot. However, the Dutch SS was probably formed a bit later. The marking on the blade sounds "Dutch." If so, it is likely the name of a distributor, rather than a maker.

Will-
There are alot of options with respect to selling the pieces. Auctions can be iffy. You have to know the medium you are using, and what to expect with fees, and so forth. There is always eBay, which is also hit or miss. A reserve is smart- case in point: A pal listed a very scarce saber on eBay, that would typically appeal to an advanced collector. Needless to say, it sold for a fraction of what it's actual value was since he didn't attach a reserve. You can sell on the forums- some are free, other require a premium membership. The forums are generally where alot of us do business (along with eBay, etc).

Tom

Disregard.

Grumpy, et. all;

When I Google YZERHOUWER I get information that ranges from German WWII to Dutch Navy sword. There is/was an ebay posting of this exact sword saying German WWII, however I do not know the pedigree of the source.

A note my grandfather put with the sword says WWI Veterans sword (not typo - WWI).

This link has an interesting discussion on the word "YZERHOUWER". Click_Here

The blade does not have a tang-stamp.

I am really lost on this one.

v/r
Will

The grip material indicates it's likely Weimar or Third Reich. Most naval swords have brass fitted scabbards. German sword makers contracted to many countries for their edged weapons needs. "Yzerhouwer" is likely Dutch or some other language for "Eisenhauer," which is seen on some German blades, usually of earlier manufacture. You rarely, if ever, see Third Reich blades marked that way. Again, the knot appears to be of Third Reich manufacture. Of course, it could have been added at any point in time after the sword was made. Generally, the hilt is not atypical of German styles. The plain langets are a bit odd. Most German swords have decorative designs on the langets. It may have been intended that one or both langets on this sword were intended to be engraved. The scabbard appears to be nickel-plated, an indication of probable Imperial or Weimar manufacture.

The grip material indicates it's likely Weimar or Third Reich. Most naval swords have brass fitted scabbards. German sword makers contracted to many countries for their edged weapons needs. "Yzerhouwer" is likely Dutch or some other language for "Eisenhauer," which is seen on some German blades, usually of earlier manufacture. You rarely, if ever, see Third Reich blades marked that way. Again, the knot appears to be of Third Reich manufacture. Of course, it could have been added at any point in time after the sword was made. Generally, the hilt is not atypical of German styles. The plain langets are a bit odd. Most German swords have decorative designs on the langets. It may have been intended that one or both langets on this sword were intended to be engraved. The scabbard appears to be nickel-plated, an indication of probable Imperial or Weimar manufacture.

Found one that appears to be identical on a Dutch sword website: "Wandelsabel, Koninklijke, Landmacht, M 1912.


http://www.sabels.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=27

I checked several translation websites and what I found is hard to figure. Wandelsabel = "walking wandelsabel." I suppose the "walking" may mean something like "walking out" or "parade." In German, "sabel" means "saber." The easy one is "Koninklijke," which translate into "royal." "Landmacht" translates into "country power." I would guess that comes closer to "country force." The question is does "country" mean The Netherlands or "country," as in "rural?" So, I speculate that it's something like: "Parade (walking out?) sword, royal (rural?) forces." My apologies to our Dutch brethren. Perhaps they can set this straight.

The second sword is definately Dutch. My Eickhorn export catalog is packed away right now, but I believe it is model 369 in the Eickhorn export catalog for Holland and is listed as a Dutch Army Officer's saber. Hilt is the same with plain langet. "Yzerhouwer" etched on the blade. Joe S

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