Old sword identification

G

GarW

Joined
Oct 27, 2020
Messages
3
Greetings all,

Was hoping maybe someone could help me identify this swords origin and age.

I found it at a thrift store recently. After researching a bit, it appears to be a older German hunting sword, though the blade doesn't seem to match anything that I have found online, and its not quite as ornate as the ones I've seen.

Any thoughts on this, based on the images? I didn't purchase it, and I'm not a collector, but I was tempted to just to bring it home and make an attempt at cleaning it up.

Thanks.

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Welcome aboard

From what I can see, the fittings appear to be an alloy that is not brass (yellow or white/nickel silver). It looks like a Weimar period (1919-1933) catalog item. It might be white brass but I would need to better see it. You might want to post it in the Bernard Levine section here.

Cheers
GC
 
Oops, I see you two have already met. Ignore my post in the Bernard Levine forum.
 
So if you do a search for "boar pommel sword". On bing you will find an image of a fraternal sword that looks similar to this one. The boar's head is different as is the blade, but it's the same type handle right down to the grip and the acorn finials on the short cross. Did you notice if one of the finials on this one was pierced for a chain by chance?
 
I'd be interested in seeing the link you mention . I am afraid cookies drive our search results, so results you see may be different.

A lot of such swords were distributed, or bought for German forestry. From Whittman militaria

The Hunting and Forestry organizations under the German monarchy were often controlled by aristocrats and well-heeled businessman. They were generally not organizations habituated by the common man. The purposes were generally formed for the conservation of game and forestry. Elaborate hunts were great occasions for the well-heeled, while the ladies used the hunting lodges for match-making and gossip. The cutlasses of these Imperial organizations were often extremely ornate, or they could also be utilitarian, made to perform the final killing thrust on game. Both types were often owned by a single individual. Many examples were used strictly for dressing up the beauty of a hunting/forestry uniform.

The German Hunting Association (Deutsche Jägerschaft) was headed by Reich Hunting Master Hermann Göring. The organization was formed to enforce the hunting regulations surrounding the advancement of conservation. The organization was a "must" for Germans interested in advancing their careers in business or the NSDAP. The Hunting Association was much like a country club membership today. The cutlasses worn by the organization were often quite elaborate. The hilt was silver with a stag grip. The scabbards were composed of green leather shells with silvered mounts. The cutlass blades were usually etched with hunting scenes. The insignia of the organization - a stag with a swastika between its antlers and the initials DJ - graced the grip of the cutlass.

The German Association was one of the last organizations to be nationalized by the NSDAP. The organization consisted of many shooting and target clubs positioned throughout the Reich, some centuries old. Members were all volunteers. The cutlass was a long example. It consisted of nickel plated hilt fittings with clamshell having the insignia of the organization - essentially a target within a rounded disk having black enameled organization name. The grip was an off-white, celluloid-over-wood affair. The scabbard was black leather with nickeled mounts. The long blade was double-etched, featuring forestry and hunting scenes; usually a target somewhere in the motif.

The current bible for US fraternal swords lack such an example, even for our Woodmen ;) Social husbandry
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ar/county/greene/historywood.htm

Also a very large German Turnverein "Turners" community that began in the US during the 19th century. The only fraternal/militia sword I know associated with them is a good bit different with no boar.

The groups tending the woods goes back to medieval days.

Reeded grips last for more than two centuries and for several applications. Acorn and hoof finials common to hirschfangers. I was hoping Germania would spot the thread posted in the Levine section.

Cheers
GC
 
Ugh. That's the weird thing. When I click on the picture the link provided is to some tumblr site which does not actually show the sword. When I am next posting on my computer rather than this tablet, I will capture the image. I am not stuck on it being a fraternal sword by any means, the blade is certainly odd if that is what it is. The blade almost looks like one of those "artillery short sword" blades. The handle setup complete with chain from pommel to cross sure looks like one of those knights of Columbus or knights of Pythias swords though....
 
Something that should be stapled in every sword group is regarding the Knights of Columbus swords, as they are quite distinctive.
http://assembly3479.org/history-of-the-sword/
Aside from those examples, there is only one other example in the books. I'm just throwing this out there. The other example is similar to some other fraternal swords.

I see more fraternal sword inquiries than any other type of sword and the first guesses are Freemson, Templars or Knights of Columbus. European society fraternal swords run a fair gambit but not animal heads

Just for giggles, here is a file I share often that outline the hundreds of fraternal orders in the US circa 1900. This is safe and on my cloud drive.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11-JYDBN_j04DaImw64LQlsSOtwYXj5uI/view?usp=sharing

The sword above is possibly one of a group, such as German woodsmen. I'd like to see it in hand to determine the metal of the fittings. It could be older than my initial hunch.

Cheers
GC
 
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