
A scarce Imperial German Naval Officers lion head sword, maker marked and military fiscal stamp dated ‘W05’ for 1905. Gilted brass hilt with a lions head pommel and the crowned anchor on the guard, which is also stamped on the underside with the acceptance stamp, the crowned anchor is one of the rarer earlier designs with the rope starting behind the anchor cross-bar and crossing the anchor in the middle. The grip is ivory in almost perfect condition though has that most common minor flake like chip – caused by the hilt back putting pressure on to the ivory just under the lion mane - and retains the triple wire binding, though the upper wrapping has one parted wire strand. There is basically no wear to any of the metal parts with plenty of the original gilt wash evident.
The pipe-back blade is approx 30 inches in length and is etched with naval themes, the spine is marked with the maker ‘Clement & Yung, Solingen’, blade is marked with the Imperial crown and ‘Erfurt’ denoting the Royal Prussian Artillery Depot in Erfurt, blade has, sadly, some small patches of pitting on both sides of the blade surface ~ the price reflects this fact.
Scabbard is in fine to excellent condition, firm black leather with no damage and only a hint of the usual fold/crease. Brass scabbard fittings with hanging rings are well seated though the upper fitting has a little movement, all are in lovely condition with some surface contact wear and patina. Each fitting also has the acceptance stamp cleverly hidden within the design, the sign of a wise acceptance officer who had ‘been around’. Scabbard length is approx 30.6 inches. A lovely Imperial Naval sword with the revenges of time spoiling the blade otherwise this sword would be well over the £1k mark, so a wonderful opportunity to acquire a very nice naval sword at a modest price.