Original German 19th Century Hirschfänger Stag Handle Triple Etched Hunting Short Sword 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 or cutlasses 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.

This is a great late 19th century Hirschfänger, with a triple etched blade that definitely shows a good amount of use. It comes with a lovely scabbard, featuring a second slot that would normally contain a skinning knife, which is unfortunately missing. The short sword has lovely stag horn grips, fitted with brass, which now has matured to a lovely mustard patina. It is simply lovely, with a slightly curved grip, and a gently curved “S” shaped crossguard that has each end terminate in a lovely Deer’s hoof. There is also a scallop shell guard on one side, much like those seen on earlier “hunting sword pistols”, which in this case would help to hold the skinning knife in place. There are three oval studs attached to one side of the grip, which we have seen on other examples, and the pommel is a rounded flat type, with a stud in the middle. The handle is definitely loose on the tang at present, and a wire has been twisted between the shell and cross guards to try to alleviate this.

The blade is “triple etched”, with some great repeating foliate designs running along the spine, though we were not able to see any maker marks. The sides of the blade are etched with hunting and military motifs on both sides, though due to wear the etching is very faint, and can only be seen in the light. There is also significant wear towards the edge, which has been sharpened several times, and shows a lot of nicks and dents. This is definitely a blade that saw a lot of use!

The leather scabbard, like the knives, is completely fit with bass that shows traces of gilding, now faded to a lovely patina, and has a lovely “acorn” shaped frog stud on the front. It fits the Hirschfänger well, and just looks great. There is some wear to the finish, but nothing major on the leather, but nothing major, and the stitching is intact.

A lovely German Hirschfänger complete with scabbard and ready to display!

Specifications:-

Blade Length: 15 1/4″
Blade Style: Hirschfänger Single Edged
Overall length: 21“
Crossguard: 4”
Scabbard Length: 15 7/8″