1st post - sources to ID individual on sabre inscription

[T. Ramsey]

At the end of the war, my father (who was in the 30th Inf. Div.) saved an Eichhorn sabre during disarming civilians in Magdeburg. The inscription on the blade reads " Hans Wurtz (umlauted "u") dem hochoerehrten - Rittmeister von Banthier".

Have always wondered who this individual was. Any ideas as to how to trace him would be welcome.

[Gerdan]

I think the name of the Rittmeister is "von Zanthier" (not Banthier).
I found a Rittmeister von Zanthier :

Reiter-Regiment 2 (RR2) D

Offizierstellenbesetzung 01.10. 1924


Stab R.R. 2
Kommandeur Oberstleutnant Fischer
Rgt. Stab Major von Kleist
Rgt. Stab Rittmeister Neumann
Adjutant Rittmeister Neumann-Silkow
Rgt. Stab Oberleutnant Skowronski
Ordonnanzoffizier Leutnant A. Freiherr von Seherr-Thoß
Rgt. Stab Oberwachtmeister Steiner

1. Eskadron (1./RR2)
Chef Rittmeister von Zanthier
Oberleutnant Preuß
Leutnant Janus
Leutnant Hartung
Oberwachtmeister Schink


Gerdan

[Gerdan]

Here you will find more about the German noble family "von Zahnthier":

http://www.starkeverlag.de/presse/Do...Band%20126.pdf


Gerdan

[Gerdan]

Some weeks ago there was offered a photograph of a Rittmeister von Zanthier:

ATELIERFOTO, Brustportr. Rittmeister Hans Ewald von Zanthier, 4. Escadron (Autor...

ATELIERFOTO, Brustportr. Rittmeister Hans Ewald von Zanthier, 4. Escadron (Autor d. Rgts.-Geschichte v. 1892), m. Ordenspange, Cent.Med. u. Ritterkreuz d. Kgl. Württ. Friedrichsordens, 16x11 cm < 750170F, Zustand: I-, Los: 3427, Bereich: Preussen Kürassiere

Gerdan

[T. Ramsey]

Thank you very much.

I looked again at the blade and then a Fraktur alphabet... would there have been a version of a Fraktur "Z" with a thin vertical stroke in front ? That is what led me to think it was a "B".

I should try next to date the blade manufacture. It has the two back-to-back Eichhorn squirrels and "Eisenhaur Damaststahl".

[Gerdan]

Have a look and try to compare the Fraktur letter "B" or "Z" in the name with this page:

http://home.arcor.de/jean_luc/alphabet/got/gotik.htm

Gerdan

[T. Ramsey]

Thank you again, Gerdan.

I couldn't open the link you sent but am certain now that it is indeed a "Z" and not a "B".

I opened the link you sent on the von Zanthier family and saw that the family Wappenschild is a very close match to that stamped on the Knauf. Also found that the Eickhorn back-to-back squirrels date the blade between 1906 to 1921.

My E Mail address is waltherpp@gmail.com. I will send you a PDF of the Wappenschild if you wish.

Many thanks.