Original German WWI Bavarian Officer’s M1826 Chevauleger Saber by Christian Bloch of München with Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The basic Infantry officers’ sword of Bavaria was the Model 1855, a simple brass B-guard with backstrap copied from the Austrian Infantry Officer’s Saber, Model 1850. There is also a variation of this model with a Lionhead. Since senior NCOs were granted the right to carry the Officer’s Saber, the M1855 is relatively common.

The single fuller blades, like this example, are usually etched with the Bavarian motto In Treue Fest, “In Steadfast Loyalty” though on this example it is etched with the retailer of the sword, “Chr. Bloch. München”, for Christian Bloch of Munich, a known retailer of swords and other military items. It is etched on the other side with EISENHAUER, which translates to Iron Sword/Hewer. The ricasso is marked with E C In an oval, indicating the blade itself was made by Ewald Cleff of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in western Germany. The sword is not marked on the spine though the Royal Cypher of King Ludwig II which is a Crown over the mirrored letters “L”.

The two Bavarian Heavy Cavalry, Schwere Reiter regiments carried a number of classic Cuirassier Broadswords in both issue and interim varieties. The Bavarian Cuirassier M1825 broadsword had the classic form of knuckle-guard with three branches, exactly like this M1826. In 1891, the Bavarians introduced a new model, with a shorter blade and knuckle-guard with two branches. Unlike the Prussian Cuirassier swords, the officer and enlisted swords are more noticeably different.

The first world war involved all the states in the German Empire including Bavaria, properly known as Königreich Bayern, the Kingdom of Bavaria. Located in the southeast of Germany, Bavaria is home to notable cities such as the Capital city of Munich, Nuremberg, Augsberg, and others. During WWI, it was ruled by King Ludwig III, who ruled from 1913 up until the monarchy was abolished at the end of 1918 at the end of the war. King Ludwig III had taken the throne from his insane cousin King Otto, who in turn was descended from the famous “Mad King” Ludwig II, the builder of the original Disney World Magic Kingdom style Castle “NEUSCHWANSTEIN.” This was built between 1869 and 1876, and the cost almost bankrupted the Kingdom.

The sword is in great condition, with the blade’s edge still sharp, shining bright with minimal nicks present. The scabbard is in excellent condition with minor denting present throughout.

This is an excellent example of a WWI Bavarian sword, that comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approximate Specifications:
Blade Length: 33 ½”
Grip Length: 4”
Total Length: 38 ½”
Scabbard Length” 34 ½”