KD89 TROOPER’S COMBAT SWORD
OTTO MERTENS SOLINGEN on one side. (Waffen Fabrik Otto Mertens) ERFURT AND CROWN on the other. (ERFURT was the main Prussian state armoury.)
The blade is dated 1898, with a crown, W and 98 + proof and acceptance mark. Sword blade is 32". Scabbard length is 33” and is fitted with a suspension ring. Total length with scabbard is 39"
This sword is 'Vorschriftsmaessig' (regulation) or Kammerstueck' (issued piece), both of these terms being used synonomously. The sword and scabbard are both unit marked 7 R. D. 1. 83 = 7th Reserve Dragoon Regiment, 1 Squadron, Sword # 83
7th Reserve Dragoon Regiment was mobilised as the divisional cavalry of the 21st Reserve Division. These cavalry regiments were raised with only 3 squadrons whilst most active cavalry regiments had 4, some were raised to 6. The 21st Reserve Division was a unit of the Imperial German Army in World War I. The division was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 as part of XVIII Reserve Corps. The division was raised primarily in the Prussian Province of Hesse-Nassau. The 21st Reserve Division fought on the Western Front, participating in the opening German offensive which ended with the 1st Battle of the Marne. Thereafter, the division remained in the line in the Champagne region until June 1916 when it entered the Battle of Verdun. In December of 1916 the 7Th Reserve Dragoon Regiment lost its horses and became a dismounted cavalry regiment = a cavalry battalion in the line, but remained with the division.
KD89 TROOPER’S COMBAT SWORD OTTO MERTENS SOLINGEN on one side. (Waffen Fabrik Otto Mertens) ERFURT AND CROWN on the other. (ERFURT was the main Prussian state armoury.) The blade is dated 1898, with a crown, W and 98 + proof and acceptance mark. Sword blade is 32". Scabbard length is 33” and is fitted with a suspension ring. Total length with scabbard is 39" This sword is 'Vorschriftsmaessig' (regulation) or Kammerstueck' (issued piece), both of these terms being used synonomously. The sword and scabbard are both unit marked 7 R. D. 1. 83 = 7th Reserve Dragoon Regiment, 1 Squadron, Sword # 83 7th Reserve Dragoon Regiment was mobilised as the divisional cavalry of the 21st Reserve Division. These cavalry regiments were raised with only 3 squadrons whilst most active cavalry regiments had 4, some were raised to 6. The 21st Reserve Division was a unit of the Imperial German Army in World War I. The division was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 as part of XVIII Reserve Corps. The division was raised primarily in the Prussian Province of Hesse-Nassau. The 21st Reserve Division fought on the Western Front, participating in the opening German offensive which ended with the 1st Battle of the Marne. Thereafter, the division remained in the line in the Champagne region until June 1916 when it entered the Battle of Verdun. In December of 1916 the 7Th Reserve Dragoon Regiment lost its horses and became a dismounted cavalry regiment = a cavalry battalion in the line, but remained with the division.
