The German Imperial Army Sword (Infanterie-Degen M1889) was introduced into service as the standard sword for all Infantry officers in 1889. The various German states inset their own coat of arms into the half basket guard. This Prussian infantry officer’s dress sword bears the crowned Prussian Eagle.
The 725mm single edged blade has a flat spine and tapers to a spear point. The straight, thrusting blade has twin narrow fullers. The blade is 15mm wide at the ricasso and is in good condition with small patches of bubbling to the nickel-plated finish at the point. The ricasso bears the king’s head and knights head maker’s mark of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie., dating the sword to no later than 1918.
W.K & C was the amalgamation of two Solingen blade-making families in 1883. The Weyersberg king's head mark was joined by the Kirschbaum knight's head mark to make the new company logo which remained in use from 1883 until 1918.
The brass half basket hilt has a canted pommel and folding section bearing the imperial Prussian eagle. The horn grip is wrapped with three strands of twisted wire. The grip bears the Royal Cipher of Kaiser Wilhelm II and is in excellent condition.
The sword is complete with its black painted steel scabbard. The scabbard has twin suspension rings and a bar to the back. The black finish to the scabbard is not original but is correct for the sword and period, an imperial general order having been issued requiring all scabbards to be blackened.
The scabbard is in good condition with some minor dings. The sword sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a good example of a Model 1889, Imperial Prussian army dress sword.
