Rod

Hi Thomas, A "sword" to me has a military connotation. It just seems strange to me that miners would be carrying their own swords. Maybe I am way off base Rod

Rick.. I sort of suspected there was some sort of religious connotation. Thanks so much. Rod

I have seen "ribbons" hanging down on each side of german imperial crowns. One example would be the crown on the hilt of a german naval sword I have and another example would be on the austrian iron crown order medal. I believe these "ribbons" are called "pendilien". Could someone please comment about its significance. Rod

WW1 and prior!! Is that Kaiserliche Marine? (Am I on the same page? ) Rod

Can someone please tell me if German Navy damascus daggers (dirks) are ever marked "damastathl" and "eisenhauer" as I have seen on some swords? Thanks, Rod

Rick... Thanks for getting and relaying the info to me!! Thanks too to Swordguy!! Rod

WEll the eagle has landed and the sword is in hand!!! The "sharpening" is very minmal but very very carefully done. .... certainly not a kitchen table job!!! Soooo this reinforces Rick's observations (as if that was need ). The only flaw I see is that the leather scabbard has three creases ... two very minor with the leather barely broken with the third one a little deeper but still not immediately fatal. I guess taxi cab and revolving doors have taken some toll!!!!! Other than that there is absolutely NO abuse or tinkering. I come from the school that cleans their swords but only to the point of maintaining condition. In this case I am thinking of (carefully) dropping some glue into the leather creases/cracks and then applying some Pecards conditioner. I could not care less about resale value as that is not the purpose of my collecting. Has anyone ever run into a similar situation and might offer some advice to me???? Rod

Rick..... again many thanks. Running lights!!! I never would have guessed!!!! Rod

Hummmm .... I am more than curious... Why does the lion head on the hilt of my sword have a red eye and a green eye?? Rod

Rick!!! MANY MANY thanks again. You certainly make my appreciation of my acquisitions sooooo much greater!!!! Rod

Hi Rick!! Well I bit the bullet and a NAVY one with "some very light sharpening" is in transit to me. The blade is marked "Ges. Gesch" "Eisenhauer" and "Damast Stahl". It has the name LANGNER engraved on the reverse lock guard. Any chance could he be researchable?????? Rod

George.... thanks for the reply. I am (was) looking seriously at two german imperial navy swords with damascus ($$) blades that show "light" sharpening. RATS!! Rod

I have an interest in imperial swords. I have seen a few with "light" sharpening. Was there any official directive to do this, or is it simply an after period tinkering? Rod

I am curious..... What do you think is the probability that the items especially imperial swords being advertised for sale today are really original items not being "repaired" or "enhanced" by previous owners (kitchen table "craftsmen") ??? I realize that some on these items are close to or more than 100 years old and some "maintenance" is in order and actually appeciated by future owners. BUT...... Parts are available and seem to beg being used. I am being more and more skeptical....... Perhaps this is a dumb question with an obvious answer but I think it should be raised. I just hate to spend BIG bucks for something that has been seriously tinkered with. Rod

Hi Tony, I made the original posting based on the seller telling me the portepee was incorrect. I have since learned it is an artillery not calvary sword and that the portepee is correct. Soooooo I am leaving it as is. Thanks for the reply. Rod

Robin.... many thanks for the information... AND the picture is great and very appreciated!!! Rod

I have a few more questions. 1. Robin observed the owner was a "warrant officer". I am not familar with SS ranks. What would be the official SS rank designation of a "warrant officer"? It seems that I have read that some of the higher NCO ranks were "with and without" a portepee. (I could be all wet). 2. I understand collectors especially prize the Krebs manufactured police swords. Would someone comment as to why this is so. Where do the WKC swords stand in relationship to Krebs? 3. It seems to me that NCO police swords are less prized price wise than the officers version. Is this just because there are more of them? I seem to remember reading that it is fairly easy to "convert" an NCO to the (more expensive) officers version and even to replace the handle eagle with the SS runes to make a true (even more expensive) SS sword. As you can tell I am not familar with police swords, so any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, Rod

JoeW...... thanks for the clarification. Rod

Robin ... again thanks so very much. Perhaps it is just my lack of knowledge but it does not seem these swords have gotten the full attention they deserve. Fascinating history!! In any event I am glad I made this implusive purchase. It makes a very nice companion to my SS dagger and significantly less of an "investment". Rod

Robin.... thanks for the great information. Hummm .... both a policeman AND SS ..... sounds like a fully committed to the cause guy!!! Rod

Ok here are the pics!! I should have added it has an SS NCO portepee. Rod

WEEEEEllllll.... here I go again... floundering in the sea of my ignorance!!! I have a WKC police sword in transist to me. It is a TR police sword BUT with SS runes on the reverse ricasso of the blade. Was the original owner a member of the SS? OR just a plain ole "vanilla" policeman AFTER Himmler took control of the police???????? I am told that it is proper for a WKC not to have SS proofs on the hilt or scabbard which this one does NOT have. Yesss I know I should have checked this out first, but my impulsive nature took control !!!! PLeaseeeee respond!!!! Good Ole Rod (doing his very best)

Naxos....thank you.. great sources!! Rod

Seems like all the swords I see are either prussian or bavarian.... where it comes to saxon swords ... they have been hidden behind the iron curtain (DDR) and as a result are a bit harder to find. I could be all wet (as usual) but from a collector's view I am drawn to them. My wife is very unhappy ... But so what !!!!! lovely sword!!! Rod

Rick Research's information based on an individuals is nothing short of amazing!!! It has most certainly vastly increased my appreciation of the few swords I have. But.... I have a sachsen sword in transist to me which reads: 1. Uhlan. Regt. No. 17 Kaiser Franz Joseph van Osterreich Konig van Ungarn with NO personal names. Is it possible that a history or some feeling of importance of this unit is available. PLease help as my wife's patience is growing thinnnnnnnn..... I have to justify my impulsive purchases somehow!!!! Rod