Prussian Kavallerie-Säbel M.1811 ("Blüchersäbel")

[Fritz]

A fine example of a Prussian Kavallerie-Säbel M.1811. This weapon is derived from the English cavalry troopers sabre M.1796, of which large numbers were supplied to Prussia as war aid in the Napoleonic Wars, despite the French continental blockade. These were then copied and designated Leichter Kavallerie-Säbel M.1811. They were in service for a very long period, later replaced by the lighter Artillerie-Säbel M.1849. They were however used by second line units up till about 1871. There are existing examples of these weapons with a Reichwehr Übernahmestempel (taken over) of 1920, thereby used as a practice weapon.

This particular example is stamped on the underside (Parierlappen) with unit details: 8.F.L.7. meaning 8.Feldlazarett 7.Kompanie (VIII.Korps, Koblenz, Rheinprovinz) over a crowned FW and 54 for the year. This is stamped over previously erased unit details, which was common practice.

The outside "Parierlappen" did not bear any details, and in this case has been skillfully replaced by a master gunsmith in Garlstorf near Lüneburg in 1992. The scabbard has matching numbering. The grip is bound in black lacquered leather and these were never wire-bound. The grips show some slight woodworm to the leather, underneath which is a wooden core, bound with twine. This is a very heavy weapon, and was primarily intended for the light cavalry and mounted artillery. Obtained from an auction in Munich in 1984.

 

Recommended literature:

Degen, Pallasche, Säbel, Faschinenmesser aus dem Bestand des Armeemuseums der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik
by Autorenkollektiv Hillmann, Lehmann, Richmann, Staatsverlag der DDR, Berlin-Potsdam, 1989