Rod

Rick.. Awhhhhh .. are you not having a hard time sleeping at night? wondering and wondering in the dark .... maybe it is an "8" as Rod thinks, or geessshh a "6" as the seller to poor ole Rod said???? Hummmmm ... sort of hard to leave a job that only your expert opinion is of value??? Actually this is a small thing ... but then again rather important to Rod...... have mercy Rick!!!!! Your opinion is not only for important for Rod but for posterity!!!!! Sure it is a difficult call... but that is why your opinion is crucial!!! The world awaits your answer!!! Rod

Rick.. thanks and you know I dooooooo appreciate it ha ha Rod

Rick... I know I must be really getting to a pain in the "posterior" to you on this item.. BUT could I again prevail upon you to revisit your micro scan of the langet engraving.??? I took another look at it with my 10X loupe and I now I think may be 1898 and not 1896 as I first thought. If it is 1898 it could have been given when Stauffenber was appointed Leutnant. What do you think??? Rod

David!! Thank you very very much. Rod

Glenn.. I have tried and tried to translate Stauffenberg's death notice that you provided (above) into english using the Babel Fish translator ... but with no success Perhaps you could help or maybe someone else would be kind enough to chime in? Many thanks, Rod

Rick... Thank you so much. I keep bumbling and stumbling around..... Geesh I wish this sword had some sort of military provenance ... Like I keep saying it is a beauty!!! Rod

I am very pleased with this degen.... a lovely sword. BUT I am thinking of adding a portepee (knot) .. hummm .. with a folding hilt ... would it be proper to do so??? I think I have a source for a mint Prussian portepee (knot). It really is a beautiful sword but obviously not with a militatry provenance. What do you think?????? Rod

Rick et al thanks ... sigh Rod

Hardy The pickelhaube is not named. The dealer claimed he bought this direct from the "family" and that the post card was sent from Buhler to his "future wife". I too noted the "Frau" and assumed Mina Homberg was a widow (with children) that Buhler was courting. I have always thought that Mina only casually knew some of the pickelhaube's owner (Otto?) relations as the name is stated as "Karl Buhler" and not just Karl. I realize you should always buy the PIECE and not the STORY!! Soooooooo maybe we will never be sure. Rod

Hardy .. thank you. Hummm interesting. It could be the writer is Mina's brother or an extremely close relation or friend... hard to say. Rod

and then the combination!! wheeeeeeeeeeee what a job to fit it... I am still not sure what I did!! Rod

Here is the back of the post card: I am told it says: Manover, 4, September 1910? J. H. Frau Mina Homberg Eisenhandlung Dingolfing a. Isar NIederbayern Dearest Mina! My best thanks for your lovely notes. How are things going for you? I've already written Karl Buhler, at present... there's very little time (for things in general) but ten times better on maneuver than on the drill field. Due to maneuver I've been assigned to the regimental staff and you'll see me to the left of the colonel .. Heartfelt gettings....and to the children. (Signature could not be made out) Rod

Hi Again Rick.. I rescanned the pics and now they fit. (I have no idea how I did it ha ha). Rod

I have a pickelhaube, photo and post card related to a Leutnant BUHLER of the 4th Inf. Regt. The post card appears to be 1910 but it is not clear. I have no first name for this officer. I realize this is sort of sketchy, but can someone further identify this officer?? I tried to post some pics of the above but their file size is too large. Many thanks, Rod

Rick.. YESSSSS ... you are right!!! Rod

The pommel cap crest is the Schenk Von Stauffenberg family. Wikipedia show the following entry for the 1st son of Baron Karl Maria von Stauffenberg: 1. Clear Mr. Werner C. Schenk von Stauffenberg (1878) I don't understand the "Clear Mr.", but I think this is my guy!!! Note the entry does not have a death year. Rod

and the blade (mint!!!)... There is also the nickel two ring scabbard that is in good shape with some plating loss at the tip!!

Perhaps you may be interested in a better description of the sword and some pics: The leather wire wrapped grip is on a very plain hilt. The original red felt buffer is this there.i A very old (original?) Bavarian portepee is there. The blade is dual fuller ... "Damast-Stahl", "Eisenhauer" and "Lorenz Stanko, Munchen" all marked in gilt. Blue panels appear on both side of the blade with floral designs marked "In/Treue?Fest" also in gilt. I am told the damascus pattern is "maidenhair" Rod

Glenn.. I am in shock to be able to get this much information!!! Many many thanks to you. Rod

RICK!!! I am thrilled !!! You are the absolutely BEST and a GEM!! Not ony have you significantly increased my appreciation of this sword but also of its value to owners after me. Your generousity of patience, expertise and time are unbelievable. Thank you .. thank you .. thank you!!! AMAZED Rod

David.. Thanks so very much. Rod

Rick Here is (maybe) a better pic of the engraving. If you have time I would greatly appreciate you taking a look. Does the "Damast-Stahl" marking on the blade indicate it is a true damascus as opposed to an acid etched (simulated) damascus????? I am sure I am wearing you out but I so appreciate your help. Thanks so very much, Rod

Hi Rick, et al, I am half blind looking as the inscription and the pommel cap crest!! But.... I think the first name on the inscription is: v. Histermeister So this guy is a baron the same as v. Staffenberg ??????? Also, I think the crest is a reverse ... in other words it could be used as a stamp!!! like on wax or something!! Does any of this make sense to you???? Many thanks, Rod

I have scanned the "dedication" and the pommel nut "crest" .... this is the best I can do at least so far.... Maybe someone with better eyes than I have can help!!! Rod

Hi Rick... Thanks again so very much for the great information. The pommel cap is said to bear a crest (maybe family or cadet school) which I will scan and post when I get the sword in hand. Rod