Original German WWII Blücher Pattern Field Marshal Lion Head Officers Sword by Carl Eickhorn with Troddel Knot Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the very desirable “Blücher” pattern variation of the popular Feldmarschall (Field Marshal) series of German “Lion Head” officer swords. It was made by famed firm Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, the legendary “City of Blades” in western Germany. The Field Marshal series was quite popular, and had many different variations, named after famous military leaders of Germany. The pattern, named after Prussian Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, is one of the rarer ones seen, and this is the first time that we have had one!

Blücher earned his greatest recognition after leading his army against Napoleon I at the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig in 1813 and the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Along with Paul von Hindenburg, he was the most highly decorated Prussian-German soldier in history: Blücher and Hindenburg are the only Prussian-German military officers to have been awarded the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross.

The blade on this sword is in very good condition, measuring 32 inches with the highest quality nickel plating. This plating is almost completely intact, with no flaking or oxidation. There is some scuffing, and the edge does have some dents on it, probably from after the war. The blade is correctly unsharpened.

The reverse ricasso under the chappe / rainguard is stamped with the 1935-41 Eickhorn trademark: a seated squirrel holding a sword, with the word ORIGINAL above and the firm’s name and location, Eickhorn / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous “City of Blades” in Western Germany.

According to J. Anthony Carter’s book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The other side has been stamped with the name of the retailer that sold the sword:

W. & L. SCHEBBEN
UNIFORMEN
AACHEN

We have seen other dress swords with the exact same markings on them. This is a known supplier of military accoutrements based in Aachen, Germany, near the border with Belgium.

The hilt of the sword has areas of beautiful gilt over a brass wash, which is applied to the aluminum alloy base metal. This combination of hilt metals was sometimes susceptible to plating loss, however more than half of the original gilding is still fully intact, with only a bit of the base metal visible.

The Blücher pattern features a fine lion head with a long snout. The under jaw and whiskers have been hand enhanced, along with the brow and mane, which flows partially down the backstrap. This cat is fitted with faceted red glass eyes. The backstrap is decorated with overlapping laurel leaves and a raised blank oval to accept a monogram. The “P” also has raised oak leaves and acorns decorating the surface, a common motif that is also found on the grip ferrule.

The crossguard features an extremely attractive Art Deco style open-winged eagle which looks to the viewer’s left. The breast feathering on this fine bird has been nicely hand enhanced, as has the wreath and raised mobile swas. Sprays of oak leaves have been added on either side of the talons. The lower hilt of the sword is stamped D. R. P., indicating that the design is protected by a German patent. The panel on the reverse of the guard is not marked, but would sometimes have a monogram added.

The black celluloid covered wooden grip is tightly wrapped with quadruple aluminum wire, with the center pair being twisted. There is a bit of age and scuffing to the grip, but no cracking, and overall it is in great shape. The hilt is still solidly attached to the tang, with just a tiny bit of wobble on the cross guard. The leather blade buffer is intact and in good shape.

There is a very nice leather and bullion officer’s troddel sword knot wrapped around the hilt in the correct Heer pattern. It does show some light degradation to the leather, but the bullion is still great.

The scabbard of this example still has a  good black enamel finish, with no dents that we can see or feel. The paint does show a lot of wear, crazing, and checking, as is typical of black enamel that is this old. There are some spatters of white paint, and also areas around there hanger ring where most of the paint is missing, and the scabbard has oxidized.

This is a wonderful looking sword, from the most legendary of all German makers. If you are looking for a great example to hang on the wall, this one should do it!

Specifications:
Overall length: 37 1/4”
Blade length: 32”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Guard dimensions: 5 1/4″ width x 4 1/2” length
Scabbard Length: 32 1/2″