LIONS--- Oh My!!! Blades With Fierce Felines

[Rick Research]

To start off from a New England collection and photos taken by me, here's a nice red glass eyed one: first the outer side

[Rick Research]

and then the inner langet, which is detailed too. This is, after all, a presentation damascus piece!

[Rick Research]

I apologize-- have yet to be able to master getting good blade details, especially with damascus.

Inscription reads "Naumann s/l Steindamm Engers" which is all Ricky needs to recreate two entire military careers.

[Rick Research]

These "s/l" presentations are ALWAYS problematic, since we never know whether it is "to his dear..." or "from his dear..." and I have seen many BOTH ways.

In this case, Ricky knows that NAUMANN was the giver and STEINDAMM was the recipient because:

Engers was a "Kriegsschule," where Fähnriche were sent from their regiments for common final military educations before returning for commissions after graduation. Steindamm and Naumann were both commissioned on the same date

Leutnant 18.4.1899 (Tt Steindamm, N2n Naumann)
promoted together
Oberleutnant 19.8.09 (B12b Steindamm, M12m Naumann)

but--

Naumann was a Württemberg infantry officer (IR 180 and IR 127)-- so no lion head wth sabers langet for HIM! and

Steindamm was an officer in Baden Train Abteilung 14-- a most appropriate gift indeed, for him!

Naumann spent a few years at the Rifle Factory in Spandau, but Steindamm, perhaps due to the dashing figure he cut (pardon zee pun) with THIS sword, spent many pre-war years as a higher staff Adjutant-- with 2nd Train Direction and Train Inspection, both in Berlin.

Now I know you are all expecting Ricky to go all Rod Serling-ish right about now and reveal yet another tale of tragedy and woe, but for a CHANGE here, BOTH officers had Happy Endings!

Naumann was promoted Hauptmann 1.10.13 T32t, and survived the war, discharged as char. Major aD, alive 1926.

Steindamm was promoted Rittmeister 1.10.13 J32i and also retired after the war as a char. Major aD. He too was fine and dandy in 1926.

We even know that his first name was FRITZ, because Steindamm received the Baden Order of the Zähringen Lion-Knight 2nd Class with Oakleaves and Swords on 2 July 1917 as "commander of a Supply Staff."

[Rick Research]

Another red eyed lion

[Rick Research]

And a Saxon one

[Rick Research]

That Saxon artillery lion tunred to show the national shield on the knuckleguard

[Rick Research]

But enough of Beauty and Happiness!! Back to weeping and misfortune-- to thwarted love, royal disgrace, and ruined lives!

And all in a thread with the rare so-called "Teddy Bear Eyes" lion head

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...&threadid=6084

[Brian S]

At least Ricky isn't ALL sad stories. Like this one too!