Imperial German Leopard Head Officer Sword – Eickhorn

Product Description: An elegant and highly decorative example of an Imperial German Leopard Head Officer Sword – Eickhorn, distinguished by its superb craftsmanship and refined detailing. The triple-etched blade features deep, crisp panels on both sides and spine, incorporating intricate military motifs and the iconic “Gott mit uns” inscription—emblematic of Imperial loyalty and martial tradition. The blade retains a bright finish with minimal wear, and is clearly marked with the Carl Eickhorn, Solingen maker’s trademark beneath the chappe, attesting to its high-quality manufacture.

The sword is fitted with a finely modeled leopard head pommel, set with original red glass eyes, and a wire-wrapped grip over black Bakelite, showing only light handling wear. The original scabbard exhibits minor paint loss and a few shallow dents consistent with service use, yet remains structurally sound and fits the blade well. A rare and highly collectible Imperial German Leopard Head Officer Sword – Eickhorn, this example exemplifies the martial prestige and ornamental finesse of late Imperial German officer’s regalia. Measurements are 37.5 inches overall (with scabbard), 39.75 inches sword only, and 33.5 inches at blade.

Historical Description: The long history of military swords stretches back to ancient times. Swords were used as weapons in battle, and were also used to administer punishments including non-surgical amputation, and decapitation. Swords were carried by soldiers and by civilians as well, with some cultures restricting sword use to members of the nobility. In the 16th and 17th centuries, other types of weapon technology, such as firearms, began to be introduced. Around this same time, many European militaries began to formalize the patterns of swords carried by their soldiers, with regulations on the details of these weapons. Eventually, the sword became, primarily, a self-defense weapon; by the early 19th century, even this role was waning. Despite this, swords were still often carried in combat by officers and cavalry units throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century. By the 1930s, swords in most militaries had a purely ceremonial function, as part of the regalia of a soldier or officer. Military swords were often manufactured to very high quality standards, by skilled craftsmen. Today, antique military swords are popular collectibles.

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