question on the value of this sword...

[Reca]

Hello,

I have a officers sword of the first world war, and I wonder what its value is.
It is still complete with the original leather thing on the handle and its original black metal sword-holder (I forgot the official name in english) it also has a prussian eagle on the handle and it has an inscription:
Husaren regiment landgraf Friedrich II von hessen-homburg (2. kurhess.)
nr. 14

I know already something about this regiment, but I wondered if it really is an officer sword or a normal soldiers sword and whether something else can be said as to the rank of the owner based on the sort of sword. And off course its value :P







with friendly regards,
Rémy

[Reca]

anyone any idear where I can find people that can give me a good hint as to the value/origin (officer-soldier)???

with friendly regards,

rémy

[PaulChep]

It is a model 89 Prussian Infantry Officers sword. The condition does not look to be that good. I would estimate $250-$350.

[Reca]

infanterie? but it is of a husaren unit, so wouldn't that make it cavalerie


with friendly regards,

rémy

[GWA]

It is an 1889 model cavalry walking-out sabre. Most likely enlisted/NCO private purchased but in poor condition. The value should be about $200-$300 with Ebay a bit higher. If a buyer is particularly eager for that unit, the 14th Hussars, it might bring more.

[Reca]

hello,

It just hasn't been cleaned because the overall condition is pretty good (I think)
But what you suggest is that it isn't a WWI used sword by this huzaren regiment (because that regiment did indeed still exist during the great war)

The story behind it is that a soldier (no idear wether it was a NCO or officer) came in 1918 and put this under a tree just over de Belgian-dutch border and then he fleat unarmed at a fast pase in the direction Germany (reaching Germany threw holland only takes a 2 hour walk at that point) and my great-grandfather saw this and he grapped the sword.

But, this can't be a WWI used sword? nore a sword used by a officer husar?

with friendly regards,
Rémy

[Wild Card]

Hello Reca,

While I am inclined to agree with Paul’s evaluation, I should mention that Helmut Weitze has a sword quite similar to yours for sale at 450 Euro. Also, I think that your sword is a KD 89 (cavalry) sword. As such, it could be either an enlisted man or an officer.

If you do decide to clean it, I suggest that you proceed very cautiously; and keep in mind that around 1910, the scabbards were painted black

Best wishes,

Wild Card

[Reca]

hmm, so that would imply that it really was used during WWI, but GWA why do you think it was nco/em purchased, and not a regular WWI officerssword?

wFr,
Rémy

[GWA]

Remy, it is not a combat sabre and would not have been used in combat. While these dress (walking-out)sabres are well decorated there is no reason to assume that they were the property of officers. Actualy I have photos of cavalry officers with typical '89 model officers' sabre in the style of the infantry officer sabre mentioned by Paul Chepurko above. Sabres of your type are very often seen in period photos of enlisted men and NCOs in walking-out uniform.

[Reca]

a have taken a closer look to the sword and I found some markings, maybe that someone knows what these markings mean.

on the handle: 14H4 47
on the backside of the lame: ges. gesch. perhaps name of inscription-factory??
at the bottem of the scabberd: 68 or 89 (perhaps just the modelname 89??)


anyhow, I hope you guys know even more about this, and thanks for all information already given untill now

Rémy

[GWA]

The marking "14.H.4.47." is a standard unit marking indicating Husar Regiment 14, Eskadron 4, weapon number 47.

[Reca]

and isn't it perhaps possible find where the fourth eskadon was during the great war?
or even the owner of waepen 47

[GWA]

The history of each squadron can be researched with little difficulty but you will never find out who owned the sabre. Keep in mind that it is not a combat sabre and was not a combat sabre.

[Reca]

ok, I released that it wasn't used for fighting but I thought that (maybe because it was an official parade sword) it would be officially registered who was handed out which one, so that's why I asked (just to explain my questions).but never mind..
And to find out where the fourth eskadron has been, do I need to go to freiburg, because you state that its easy to trace?
and sorry for all the questions, just interested.... :S

and chip, as a response there is an end to this,... after this question for example, I won't ask anymore questions in this topic then !

[Chip M]

Give up, GWA. You tried, but I think there is no end to this.