Original Imperial German WWI Outstanding Triple-Etched Damascus Steel Artillery Officer’s Sword with Gold-Inlay & Fire-Bluing by Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie - Dated 1895

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding Imperial German Field Artillery presentation sword with a beautiful triple-etched gold-inlaid and fire-blued Damascus steel blade and incredibly ornate ruby-eyed Lion’s Head hilt decorated with foliage and other motifs, with the rain chape to one side bearing a set of Crossed cannons and to the other side bearing an engraved shield with the initials F.M. for F. Maret. The hilt retains very much of the original gilt, and the wire-wrapped horn grip shows moderate wear with some looseness in the wire.

The 32” blade is triple-etched with etchings on all three sides. It is gold-inlaid and fire-blued on the first 1/3rd, with one side bearing a panel reading in gold:

W. Rielӓnder s./l. F. Maret. Sommer 1895.
W. Rielӓnder “to his friend/comrade” F. Maret. Summer 1895

The other side has the phrase “Eisenhauer Damast-Stahl” which just denotes that it is Damascus steel. Under the rain chape on one side is the “King’s Helmet” trademark of WEYERSBERG KIRSCHBAUM & CO SOLINGEN. WKC is one of the more famous makers in the legendary "City of Blades", Solingen. They were chosen for their pre-eminence even within the center of German edged weapon manufacture to make the swords celebrating the Kaiser's day that Celebrated the city.

The hilt is meticulously crafted with the crossguard ending in a Puma’s head, and the gilt is extremely-well retained in some places. The lion’s head pommel has embedded ruby eyes and displays beautifully. The sword measures roughly 37” overall. 

The straight steel scabbard is in good order with the majority of the black paint retained, with the single suspension ring intact with denting and paint loss.

This is an outstanding damascus steel presentation sword presented in 1895. Ready for further research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 32”
Overall length: 37“
Scabbard Length: 33 3/4"