Original German WWII Era Miniature Hirschfänger Stag Handle Etched Forestry Dress Cutlass by Alcoso with Scabbard

Original Item: Only One Available. 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 businessmen. They were generally not organizations inhabited 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 very nice example of a "Miniature" WWII Era German Hirschfänger Stag Handled Shooting Cutlass with scabbard, which we have only seen once before! Often referred to as "salesman samples", there is definitely debate over the purpose of these miniature knives, which are quite useful as letter openers as well. They are constructed much as the full size examples, but the idea of a miniature to be used as a sample by sales staff seems somewhat suspect, as the real thing isn't excessively large or hard to transport.

The hilt is fit with non-magnetic nickel or nickel-plated brass, and has a lovely scallop shell guard on one side, much like those seen on earlier "hunting sword pistols", which in this case displays a lovely scene with a buck surrounded by two does in the woods. The crossguard looks to have a foliate motif, and the pommel and ferrule both show German Oak Leaf" designs. There are no WWII NSDAP insignia present, so it was most likely made in the 1930s.

The blade has lovely etched panels on both sides, showing foliate engraving as well as animals in the forest. These are very well executed and preserved, with just a bit of oxidation on the plated blade near the cross guard, which still retains some small pieces of the original green blade buffer. It has correctly not been sharpened.

The reverse ricasso is stamped with the trademark Alcoso used from 1936-1940. It depicts the scales with the firm's initials, ACS interspersed. Above is the firm's name in an arc, ALCOSO, and below the town of business, SOLINGEN, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

Alcoso is a trade name of Alexander Coppel & Co. KG, Stahlwarenfabrik, located in Solingen, the legendary German "City of Blades." Per J. Anthony Carter's work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, the company was a major manufacturer of edged weapons and tools from the end of the 19th century up until the WWII period. Unfortunately, as NSDAP-control increased, brothers Carl Gustav and Dr. Alexander Coppel, the Jewish owners of the firm, were forced out. In 1936 the firm had been "Aryanized", and started using the name ALCOSO to hide the Jewish family name. By the end of 1936 the brothers were ejected from their Solingen offices, and by 1940 the brand trademark initials ACS were changed to AWS to reflect the change in ownership and name: Alexander Coppel Solingen to Alcoso-Werk Solingen. Carl Gustav Coppel committed suicide in Solingen in 1941, and Dr. Alexander Coppel was arrested in 1942 and sent to Theresienstadt Prison camp, where he died August 5th 1942. The factory itself was destroyed by Allied bombers in November 1944.

The leather scabbard is fitted with what looks to be silver plated nickel, though it could be brass, and has a dark forest green "Moroccan Leather" body, which shows some wear and splitting. The finish on the fittings shows a lovely tarnished and oxidized patina, and there is a lovely panel on the bottom fitting showing a buck in the forest. It fits the blade well.

A lovely German WWII Era Hirschfänger Forestry Association miniature dress cutlass with scabbard. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 1/2"
Blade Style: Hirschfänger w/out Fuller
Overall length: 8 1/8”
Crossguard: 1 7/8”
Scabbard: 6"