Franco-Prussian Lion's Head Presentation Damascus Blade Sword - Cavalry

[John C. Calhoun]

This just popped out of the woodwork. I thought I would share with everyone. Any idea what one like this is worth? I've done some research and I haven't found any with as much engraving and an iron cross. The sword is in great shape, the scabbard is missing most of the nickel due to poor storage. Let me know your thoughts. ID'd to a Major von Haeften.

[MauserKar98k]

Very, very cool sabre you have there.

I was able to find Major von Haesten right away in the 1888 Rangliste. As the sabre notes, he served in Husaren-Regiment Kaiser Franz Josef von Oesterreich König von Ungarn (Schleswig-Holsteinsches) Nr. 16. His awards in that last year of his military service were as follows:
Red Eagle Order 4th Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class (1870)
Officer's 20-Year Service Cross
Mecklenburg Military Merit Cross, 2nd Class (1870)
Austrian Order of the Iron Crown, 3rd Class

Von Haesten first shows up on the rolls of HR16 as a Sekondeleutnant in 1868, along with a notation associating him with the Militär-Reit- Institut. By 1869, he had been promoted to Premierleutnant. Obviously, he saw service in the Franco-Prussian War where HR16 saw action at Neunkirchen and Habkirchen, Fleurus, Ars-Laquenery, Vionville-Mars la Tour, Gravelotte-St. Privat, Boncq, Chalandry, Sivry, Epernon, Ablis, Jouy, St. Prost, Anet, Landelles, Sargé, Journoisis, Orleans, Rouan de Fuzelier, Epuisay, Le Mans (Höhen von Auvours), Siege of Paris, and Salbris. In 1872, he was promoted to Rittmeister and was awarded the Order of the Iron Crown.

Probably more info to follow.

[John C. Calhoun]

Very, very cool sabre you have there.

I was able to find Major von Haesten right away in the 1888 Rangliste. As the sabre notes, he served in Husaren-Regiment Kaiser Franz Josef von Oesterreich König von Ungarn (Schleswig-Holsteinsches) Nr. 16. His awards in that last year of his military service were as follows:
Red Eagle Order 4th Class
Iron Cross 2nd Class (1870)
Officer's 20-Year Service Cross
Mecklenburg Military Merit Cross, 2nd Class (1870)
Austrian Order of the Iron Crown, 3rd Class

Von Haesten first shows up on the rolls of HR16 as a Sekondeleutnant in 1868, along with a notation associating him with the Militär-Reit- Institut. By 1869, he had been promoted to Premierleutnant. Obviously, he saw service in the Franco-Prussian War where HR16 saw action at Neunkirchen and Habkirchen, Fleurus, Ars-Laquenery, Vionville-Mars la Tour, Gravelotte-St. Privat, Boncq, Chalandry, Sivry, Epernon, Ablis, Jouy, St. Prost, Anet, Landelles, Sargé, Journoisis, Orleans, Rouan de Fuzelier, Epuisay, Le Mans (Höhen von Auvours), Siege of Paris, and Salbris. In 1872, he was promoted to Rittmeister and was awarded the Order of the Iron Crown.

Probably more info to follow.

Thanks for your research. Much appreciated. I personally couldn't find anything through a quick internet search, so this is great.

Has anyone else seen an iron cross on one of these swords before -- or with as much detail all down the blade? Any websites that regularly sell these so I can compare?

Thanks!

[Willi Z.]

Great sword! Great find! Love to have something earlier and attributed like this one.

[morel5000]

Very very nice sword.

This sword is not cheap. You could try an see if Thies had a similar item in one of his catalogs http://www.andreas-thies.de/kataloge.html (they can be downloaded) or contact Mr Heich and check his site: http://www.dieterheich.de/home_neu.html

Best regards,
Michel

[morel5000]

In the Thies 33 Auktion pages 193-288 (page 286) is a artillery lions head sabre, golden etched damask blade -> 3500 euro, not even attributed and no iron cross

Best regards,
Michel

[John C. Calhoun]

Thank you very much, Michael, for the tip. That is very good news. I'm not a big German collector and this will probably hit the forum estand in the next few weeks. Any additional information about von Haeften would be great. I appreciate everyone's input so far.

[MauserKar98k]

Von Haesten received his commission as an Sekondeleutnant the Prussian Army on 11 November 1862. More to follow, found more stuff on him in another source.

[John C. Calhoun]

Now offered for sale on the etable.

Thanks to everyone for their help.