Original German WWI Era Hirschfänger Stag Handle Triple Etched Hunting Short Sword by Ewald Cleff with Skinning Knife in 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 WWI Era Hirschfänger set, with a great scabbard, featuring a second slot that contains a small skinning knife. While only the short sword itself is marked by Ewald Cleff, we have no doubt that the entire set came from Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany, the edged weapon center for the entire German Empire.

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. It is embossed with an image of a Stag in repose, and there is also a Boar’s Head embossed in the center of the crossguard. There are three oval studs attached to one side of the grip, which we have seen on other examples, and the pommel is a very nice dome shape.

The blade is “triple-etched”, and on the spine there is still a very faint maker marking visible in the light, which we were not able to photograph:

EWALD CLEFF IN SOLINGEN

Ewald Cleff, Waffenfabrik (Weapons factory) was founded in 1867 in Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in Western Germany. The company officially registered with commercial authorities in 1885, and was known mostly for making high end officer’s dress swords and sabres, honor and presentation blades, and walking out bayonets. They are exactly the type of high end company that made items such as this hirschfänger for well-heeled customers. Fore more information, please see J. Anthony Carter’s fine work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, pages 130-132.

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 a panel in one side with a hunting hound beneath a tree, while the opposite side has a stag in the forest. There are also lovely foliate designs as well as stands of arms, and the spine has a repeating laurel leaf motif. The blade does show use, and has been sharpened near the tip area, which is the functional part of the blade, intended to stab the wounded quarry and deliver the final blow. There are some small nicks on the end of the blade, as well as scratches. Overall the blade shows light oxidation, and definitely has been cleaned multiple times.

The skinning knife is a very nice example, with a “jigged bone” handle and steel fittings. It looks to possibly pre-date the rest of the set, and has a lovely aged patina.

The leather scabbard, like the knives, is completely fit with bass that shows traces of gilding, now faded to a lovely ptina, 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, and the top fitting is loose, as it is only attached by glue, not staples. It is correctly inlet for the skinning knife, which fits in well.

A lovely German upmarket Hirschfänger set complete with the original skinning knife, ready to display!

Specifications (Short Sword):-

Blade Length: 18 1/8″
Blade Style: Hirschfänger Single Edged
Overall length: 24 1/8“
Crossguard: 4 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 18 5/8″

Specifications (Skinning Knife):-
Blade Length:3 3/4″
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife
Overall length: 8“