UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons German Sword & Miniatures Forum Armistice Sword

Gents,

Here is my new "Armistice" sword by Weyersberg that I aquired last week. These seem to be called the "Armistice" sword because Jack Angolia dubbed them as such in his sword books. Has anyone found these illustrated in a Blanke Waffen catalog? Anyone know the Weyersberg catalog number for this sword?

George

Closeup view of the hilt showing the gilt brass hilt and celluloid grips. The langet has a flying eagle with an olive or laurel branch, which is why this sword seems to have been dubbed the "Armistice" sword. While the eagle with an olive branch may symbolize peace, an eagle with a laurel branch could certainly signify victory. What do you think?

A view of the reverse langet showing the owner's cypher. A very high quality and ornate brass hilt as would be expected of a Weyersberg sword.

Another view of the hilt showing the detail on the backstrap.

One more closeup showing the knuckle guard.

Also, a view of the triple etched blade. A typical Weyersberg etch template with fussy scrolls, dots, and stands of arms. I just love these NS Zeit etched blade swords.

Finally, a closeup view of the etched blade.

George

George:
Onehellofa hit!
Beautiful sword and a scarce one at that.
Love the cypher on the languet, nicely entwined.
The Eagle languet is unusual to say the least.
The Lion's Head is outstanding in detail.
Hell, who cares what the blade looks like!
Thanx for sharing.
Jax

Beautiful!!! I always thought these sabers dated from the 20's and 30's but, looking in Angolia he describes one with etched inscription dated '45.

I have always liked these types of swords. And would not mind having one myself. Nice find.

Thanks Gentlemen. I appreciate the kudos. This sword was not cheap but I have wanted a nice one with an etched blade for some time. the owner's cypher and the sword bag were also a plus.

Actually, this same sword came with an eagle pommel as well. Here is a photo of another Weyersberg with the eagle pommel. This one did not have an etched blade but the only other difference seems to be the backstrap with an eagle instead of a lion head pommel.

George

Dale,

As you point out, dating this sword is why I asked if anyone had seen one in a catalog or knew the Weyersberg catalog number or description for it. I agree that this sword is probably fairly early as all I have seen have been well executed and high quality. All that I have seen also had brass fittings, while other later Weyersberg swords do have gilt aluminum fittings of this same style (and identical backstrap and ferrule).

I think the "Armistice" sword moniker is probably incorrect. I believe the eagle could just as easily carry a laurel branch as an olive branch. As a matter of fact, it looks more like a laurel than an olive leaf to me. I suspect these swords were available at least during the time of the Weimar Republic and the NS Zeit. Opinions?

George

I believe I saw that model in an original manufacturer's catalog once, will try to find it and post details. Joe S

Thanks Joe. That would be very helpful if you can find a listing. Probably a Weyersberg or Eickhorn catalog I would think.

George

Orpo, you have a Paul Weyersberg model Nr.55, an Offizier-Parderkopf-S�bel...neutral f�r alle Waffengattungen. This particular Army model sword has nothing to do with any "armistice"; it was just another pattern offered by Weyersberg.

Thank you Ace for clearing up the mystery! That makes a lot of sense inasmuch as other �neutral� type langet decorations were offered - such as Imperial type crossed sabers or cannons (etc.) during NS times as well. FP

Ace,

Thanks for looking up the Nr.55 Weyersberg neutral designation. That is the piece of information I was looking for. It is interesting that the sword is described as a "panther" head as I always thought of this guy on the pommel as a lion. I suppose the manufacturer can describe their "kitty" however they please.

George

George:
If I'm not mistaken, I believe the "Panther Head" they refer to is on the guard finial, not the pom.
Still, it's a stone cold beauty with that detailed Lion's Head pommel.
Jax

Thanks Jack. That kitty head had not occurred to me. It does look like a panther rather than a lion. Good call!

Thought I should do some show and tell on my Eickhorn in hopes it might provide some additional input.

crossguard detail

Eickhorn trademark that I understand was early 1930 or perhaps a little before.

blade

blade 2

Stem of troddel which I believe is Prussian

tau-delt,

Thanks for posting your Eickhorn sword. I notice a couple of things in relationship to my Weyersberg. Your sword has the earlier squirrel within an oval marking and appears to be all brass, about the same time period as mine I suspect. Your blade etching appears to be generic, like mine. Your guard is very similar down to the panther head quillon. Your backstrap is plain and very similar to the eagle head Weyersberg that I posted. This eagle pommel backstrap is also very similar to the WKC style as seen on their Justiz and Strafvollzug swords but is quite different than those on the Eichorn Justiz and Strafvollzug models 1728 and 1763. Entirely different parts utilized by Eickhorn instead of simply using the backstrap from the 1728 and 1763 models.

A beautiful sword, by the way! I agree that your Troddel is Imperial Prussian for a bayonet rather than a sword.

George

They are beautiful swords!!

A passing thought. I noticed on tau-delt�s fourth image what looks to me like possibly a stylized Prussian Imperial Eagle etched on the blade. A lot of German Army officers had seen service with the Kaiser in WW I and did not have National Socialist sympathies. Could these officers have been the ones that the swords were intended for as customers?? FP

I agree they are beautiful!
Great looking stuff, guys!
Here is my contribution.

Obverse

Full shot

Trademark.
Can anyone date this trademark?

Weyersberg Artillery
Same Lionhead as ORPO`S sword.

George..... I think you are right about the Troddel being for a bayonet. It came on the sword and I just left it there. Adding a picture of the bottom......

mrfabulous,

I have seen your Weyersberg oval trademark, as well as the very similar shape PAWECO stamp, and I associate it with early pre-war and Weimar Republic period edged weapons.

I find it interesting that your sword also has engraved initials on the reverse langet. It makes me think these swords were normally special ordered with etched blades and extra touches such as monograms.

Here is a shot of the later Weyersberg trademark as is on my sword. Actually, this trademark is on a similar Cavalry sword with the same generic etched blade as on my "Armistice" sword.

Here is a shot of the Weyersberg Cavalry sword with the etched blade and trademark shown above. Not only are the etched blades on both these swords identical but the backstrap and lion head are identical as well. While the guard is very similar (with a panther head quillon) the eagle and laurel device has been replaced with crossed swords. Both of these swords also have the distinctive engraved brass plug on the top of the pommel that covers the tang button.

Here's mine with the closed wing eagle.

Different lion head but, same reverse langet, trademark and etch.

Dale,

Part of the Weyersberg "parts is parts" philosophy. Use the same blade and etch template for a variety of swords. There is really no reason not to make up a run of blades with this etch and use them with various sword hilts as the customers order them. Since Mrfabulous trademark is earlier than ours, it appears this company did that for a long period of time.

tau-delt,

An Imperial Prussian bayonet Troddel for sure. I once bought a bugle that had two bayonet Troddeln (from different companies) attached to the two sling rings. The guy absolutly swore that is the way his dad brought it back. Probably true, but I took them off and put them on bayonets anyway.

Great sword and a seldom seen knot as well!

George

Parts is parts! Here`s a different cavalry by Weyersberg.

Another view