From A Grateful Emperor:

[Swordguy]

Working on this one today as a change from navy swords

[Swordguy]

Pommel with the Kaiser's monogram

Back later with the blade and the story of the recipient.

[Guest Rick Research]

We've just been scanning this, so I'll post the ones that are over SG's current limit.

Both sides of the 1905 maidenhair Damascus presentation blade from His Imperial Majesty Wilhelm II to Oberleutnant Oswald of Infantry Regiment 52:

[Guest Rick Research]

Well worn from 9 years of in and out of the scabbard. Here's a negative view to make the pattern stand out more:

[Guest Rick Research]

And the undecorated part of the blade, both ways for the pattern:

[Guest Rick Research]

Won for the achievements in marksmanship of his 5th Company, Infantry Regiment 52. The best company in each Prussian Army Corps received the annual Kaiserpreis sleeve insignia, while the officer commanding that best squad received a personalized damascus sword from the Kaiser-- 18 annually.

[Guest Rick Research]

By 1907 Oswald had been detached to the staff of War School Anklam. Somewhere along the way he ended up transferring on paper from Inf Rgt 52 to Inf Rgt 141, though he remained on War School staffs right up to 1914:

Despite the regulation changes of 1906 and 1910, Oswald did not replace the scabbard of his All-Highest Present. He didn't cut off the second scabbard ring, though he did blacken it:

This sword was never sharpened. It stayed home when he went off to war.

But you people know the drill by now.

There is going to be another

Unhappy Ending!

[Guest Rick Research]

Some details:

The pommel cap with Wilhelm's cipher:

The sword knot:

and the spine showing the maker and work mark (in the gilt on left) for these Imperial presents:

[Guest Rick Research]

Lovely things, IOD89s. Come apart in lots of pieces. Here's an attempt at some of the guard detailing, which is mirrored on the inside as well:

[Guest Rick Research]

And after more confusing transferring around, the end of Hauptmann Oswald:

And that will have to serve as a teaser for now, since SG has to get off the island before darkness falls and back to his mountain fastness for

a printed account of the final moments of Captain Oswald.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Lets see it, the printed account!!!!!!!

What a superb piece !!! ALMOST as good as a named medal group ;-)

[Ulsterman]

The commanding Hauptmann also received the RAO, as well as the sword.

Edited February 19, 2007 by Ulsterman

[Glenn J]

Rick, SG,

Fritz Oswald. He transfered to Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 81 on 19 June 1914 with an improved seniority of 30.7.07.

Regards

Glenn

[Guest Rick Research]

Thanks Glenn! That makes a FULL beginning to fill in for his end.

Prussians are so hard to get details on!