Tony J

I have the same type of bar also. I wouldn't be so quick to discount it. I have seen a period portrait of this type of bar on an EKII ribbon in wear. At the moment I can't remember where I saw it. I want to say it was posted in a long thread about the 1914 Weiderhollungsspange either here or on WAF. For what it's worth. Tony

Hi Rick, I'm a bit late to this party. I recall reading about this sharpening of swords. I just don't remember where at the moment. Many officer's did so not because of the order to sharpen government owned ordinance sabers but as a show of solidarity with the Kaiser's call to arms. Apparenty it was part of the partiotic mind set at the time and was done as an approval or bonding gesture by many in the officers' corp. Similar to US paras cropping their hair Mohawk style before the D-Day drop. Before the outbreak of hostilities in August of 1914, the sword was still viewed as a viable if not effective weapon in certain situations. The saber saw service with the the cavalyman's lance throughout the war on various fronts. Obviously, the rapid evolution of warfare during the early stages of WWI soon relegated the sword to the side lines as a symbol of officer's authority at the front. Sabers continued to be part of the cavalryman's kit as a functional weapon. Tony

Rod, Interesting question. The only place I have seen any markings on naval dirks denoting damascus has been on the tang under the grip. Then again not all are so marked. Often they just have the smith's stamp. Have you checked Wittman's Naval dagger book? Tony

Rod, Why would you want to do that? You already have the proper and correct portepee now. Tony

Chris, The sword in the left picture looks to be a standard Cuirassier Officer's pallach. The degen pictured in the right photo is an Model 89 degen with an optional straight side folding guard and the earlier nickeled scabbard with the double hanger rings still intact. By 1915 the degen on the right would have been brought up to regulation specs by having the lower scabbard ring removed and the scabbard painted black. These regs were instituted in 1906 for the blackening of the scabbard and in 1910 for the lower ring removal. Given this...IMO the photo on the right is much earlier than 1915 or the degen pictured may have been a studio prop. Hope this helps some. Tony

Very nice sword. The blade is made of Damaststahl. 'Maidenhair' is what the basic damaststahl is often called by collectors. Tony

Thanks Greg! It's nice to see other examples of the oval disc Godet. All the best, Tony

Darrel, Looks too shiney for zinc. It could be silvered steel or just plain steel core with the paint flaked off. Looks a bit too smooth for a cast iron core IMO. I have a similar silvered steel core example as well as a copper plated steel core that was painted. Why? Possibly a means of corrosion control? As I said, love them variants. Tony

Hello Steve, Interesting EKI, almost looks like a TR era '14 by S&L. Have you put a magnet to the core? I'm curious as I don't see the brass you mention. I too love variant EKs. Makes collecting them never ending. All the best, Tony

Chris, The single oval with the C. E. under the squirrel is Weimar era. I have a Weimar Model 89 degen with that tm. I believe it to be pre 1932 or a bit earlier but later than the back to back squirrels of the Imperial era. The Carl Eickhorn arched over a straight Solingen I have on a 1916 dated 98/05 bayonet. Hope this helps. Tony

Paul, That's the pure essence of why we collect. All the best, Tony

Thanks Paul, Much better images. I'll go out on a limb here a bit with an opinion. Your EK is certainly not an award piece nor from the 1870 era. More likely a commercially acquired replacement or for window display in an effects shop. No earlier than the Jubilee era c. 1895 and possibly a little later as the quality resembles a 1914 era EK in some ways. Just some thoughts. Tony

Dante, Can you post a clear picture of the crown and date on the front as well as the mark under the catch on the reverse? Thanks! Tony

PK, Very astute observations that are well written. Tony

Chip and Bob, Good info all. I'm still not sure of the actual out come but the comments and efforts are surely appreciated. The actual cost and/or market value is minimal at best compared with other more prestegious collectables. This buckle is more interesting in the fact that it is unit marked. The numbers are stamped in and their form is comsistant with others I have seen on unit marked weapons. I'll see if I can get a picture or two and post it here. Thanks again. Tony