Original German Pre-WWII Hirschfänger Stag Handle Forestry Dress Cutlass by Carl Julius Krebs with Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an item that simply reeks of romance! In use for centuries, the German Hirschfänger (Deer Catcher) long hunting daggers have always made lovely display pieces, as well as military sidearms. Many of the early bayonets used by the various German States were based on the Hirschfänger design, which is both simple and elegant, almost a short sword in practical terms.

The Hunting and Forestry organizations under the German monarchy were often controlled by aristocrats and well-heeled businessman. They were generally not organizations habituated by the common man. The purposes were generally formed for the conservation of game and forestry. Elaborate hunts were great occasions for the well-heeled, while the ladies used the hunting lodges for match-making and gossip. The cutlasses of these Imperial organizations were often extremely ornate, or they could also be utilitarian, made to perform the final killing thrust on game. Both types were often owned by a single individual. Many examples were used strictly for dressing up the beauty of a hunting/forestry uniform.

During the period of NSDAP control, the many Hunting and Forestry associations were one of the last areas to be taken over by the NSDAP. Even as WWII loomed, the The German Hunting Association (Deutsche Jägerschaft), headed by Reich Hunting Master Hermann Göring, still did not have absolute control.

This is a great Imperial German Hirschfänger Stag Handled Forestry Cutlass, complete with scabbard. The hilt is quite ornate, fitted with gilt brass that is covered with the classic German Oak Leaf and Acorn motifs. The pommel cap even terminates with an acorn fitting. It also has a lovely “S” shaped crossguard with the form of opposed Deer’s hooves, very commonly seen on these shooting cutlasses, which also have Oak Leaves. There is also a scallop shell guard on one side, much like those seen on earlier “hunting sword pistols”, which is embossed with what looks to be a 5 or 6 point stag.

The blade is triple etched, with hunting scenes on both sides, displaying a variety of different game animals, including a buck and doe on each side, fowl, and what look to be foxes. There are also what we assume are the emblems of hunting associations, as well as a hunting hound. There are also lovely foliate designs, and the spine has a repeating laurel leaf motif. There are only a few spots of oxidation on the blade, so we would consider it to be in excellent condition.

This example was produced by Carl Julius Krebs, Kronenkrebs-Stahlwarenfabrik, and the ricasso shows their oval trademark logo with a CROWN over K, surrounded by CARL JULIUS KREBS / SOLINGEN. This particular version of the oval trademark lacks the internal oval, and was seen mostly on these 2nd model Luftwaffe daggers, per J Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. This maker was founded in 1866, and continued trading long after WWII. The original pebbled leather blade buffer is in place within the deep recesses of the guard.

The leather scabbard, like the cutlass, is fit with brass, and has a lovely green finished leather body. The leather is still soft, however the glue that holds the locket in place has degraded, so it is now loose on the top of the scabbard. It has a lovely acorn frog stud.

A lovely German Hirschfänger Forrestry cutlass, ready to display!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 11 3/4″
Blade Style: Hirschfänger Singled Edged (blunt)
Overall length: 18“
Crossguard: 3 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 12″