A Good & Sound 1889 Pattern Imperial German WW1 Officers Sword With Prussian Eagle Hilt. Double Fullered Blade and Bright Polished Steel Combat Scabbard

Double fullered straight blade, and all bright steel combat scabbard. Overall in nice condition with field service stitched leather covered grip. With Prussian ordnance stamp at ricasso of the blade..

The Infantry Officer Degen 89 has a fixed, decorative, semi-basket guard, whereas private purchase version often had folding guards. The guard contains a Prussian Eagle.

Many of these swords were also used in the 3rd Reich by veteran officers serving in WW2. Numerous Vintage photographs of WW2 German Officers show them wearing this pattern of sword.

Prussians were the dominant force in the new state of Germany, but it was their King, Kaiser Wilhelm II, an impetuous, impatient man, who effectively globalised the First World War (by joining the Austrian declaration of war on Serbia after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand) because he thought the English and French were seeking his annihilation. That was the beginning of the end for Prussia; the Kaiser abdicated at the end of the war, and the Prussian state was abolished by the Nazis.

So while there’s no place called Prussia any more, the word ‘Prussian’ is still out there in general useage, but has become more generic, used to describe someone good at giving and obeying orders, being punctual, proper, disciplined, punctual, and honest. As well as rather blinkered, inflexible and unimaginative.

Code: 26354