Model 89 Prussian Infantry Sword

[phild]

Frogprince,

Yes, what is interesting too me is that we are sort of talking about 3 (or 4) general variations of these swords not counting all of the "normal" private purchase types from the pre-war period and the some not so normal with embossed hilts and damascas blades and they like.

1. pre-war brass hilted (fixed guard) with dates and acceptance stamps
2. Wartime stamped steel (or iron?) hilts with dates acceptance stamps and wooden grips.
3. As above but without acceptance stamps or dates...so private purchase
4. Wartime private purchase with black painted/enameled steel hilts and black composition grips, some at least with folding guards....so cast hilts not stamped.

[RonR]

This Degen seems to be a reasonably exact copy of the steel hilted (with wood grip - no sharkskin) government issue Kriegsmodell IOD89. Minus of course the date stamp, and the military style acceptance markings. FP

Fred,

Re-shot the spine of the sword, and here they are....





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[phild]

Fred,

Re-shot the spine of the sword, and here they are....





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That photo makes me feel much better as the sword makes a lot more sense as an issue/contract than private purchase and also it validates what I have seen regarding the use of wooden grips on all German contract swords....basically 1916.

These OD 89's were carried by higher grades of NCO's and it may have been a policy that NCO's or perhaps even some lower rank officers could be assigned a sword as unit property and not have to buy their own.

I'm curious if you could find a small inspection stamp on the pommel cap and guard turn down?

[Frogprince]

That photo makes me feel much better as the sword makes a lot more sense as an issue/contract than private purchase and also it validates what I have seen regarding the use of wooden grips on all German contract swords....basically 1916.

These OD 89's were carried by higher grades of NCO's and it may have been a policy that NCO's or perhaps even some lower rank officers could be assigned a sword as unit property and not have to buy their own.

I'm curious if you could find a small inspection stamp on the pommel cap and guard turn down?

Ron, Nice shot of the spine marking.

James, Thanks for the “heads up” on what is in the book. I was going to swing by someone who has one for sale last week but got sidetracked. (I had heard of it - but thought that maybe it was like some of those “coffee table” books ie: lots of nice pictures but light on information, so I wanted to first check it out.)

Phil, I posted the pommel cap stamp on mine as a reference, and (besides the spine) I believe that it has some other inspection marks. But I will have to pull it out to check them (hopefully sometime late this afternoon).

Best regards to all, Fred

[RonR]

I'm curious if you could find a small inspection stamp on the pommel cap and guard turn down?

Phil,

Found it now that I know where to look.

Cap is a bit rusty........




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