German M1873 WW1 Prussian Artillery Sabre by F. W. Holler, Solingen.
There were three patterns of the M73 sabre issued to enlisted artillerymen, those for the Prussians, the Bavarians and the Saxons. This sabre is the Prussian pattern.
The 76 cm broad, curved blade has a flat spine with a wide single fuller on both sides and tapers to a spear point. The blade has a short, 8 cm upper false edge. The false edge and the blade have been armoury sharpened as these swords were issued to all enlisted men and were intended for use in defending the field guns. The blade is un-etched, polished steel and is in excellent, near mint condition.
The spine of the blade bears an inspection stamp (waffenampt) and the date stamp for 1916 below the crown and "W" of Kaiser Wilhelm.
The ricasso is marked with the maker's name "F. W. Holler" above "Solingen" the town in which it was made.
The steel P-guard, quillion and back-strap all bear crowned inspection stamps. The wooden hilt is in excellent condition with almost no wear. The steel of the hilt has a great pale silver/grey patina and is free of rust.
The steel scabbard is in excellent condition and retains its original finish. In 1910, regulations insisted that all scabbards be blackened. This was a chemical process although some war production ersatz models were painted. The chemical blackening on this scabbard is almost without wear and the blacking has faded to a pleasing dark black/brown. The throat and drag of the scabbard are stamped with inspection marks.
This is a near mint example of the Prussian M1873 artilleryman's sabre.
