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Saxon Infantry Sidearm M.1845


Fritz

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Sachsen Infanterie-Faschinenmesser M.1845. Saxony adopted an identical weapon to the Prussian Infantry Sidearm M.1841 and it was designated M.1845. There were also variations of these with a sawback blade. Most blades do not show any makers mark, but were undoubtedly manufactured in Solingen or in Suhl/Thüringen. Prussian examples are marked on the back of the blade with a crown and FW over the year of issue. Saxon examples usually show no year, but either a crown or a crown over JR for King Johann, A for King Anton, or FA for Friedrich August of Saxony, and these are usually found on the brass crossguard and on the brass scabbard fittings. On the rear of the crossguard were usually the regimental markings, in the case of the example shown: 103R.E.4.227 which stands for Infantry Regt.103, 4th Ersatz-Bataillon, weapon no.227, an identical stamping is also to the rear of the brass upper fitting of the leather scabbard. To the upper grip back is a crown. The standard system of German regimental markings were applied after 1867, when Saxony and other German states joined the military convention under Prussian domination. Uniforms and weapons were then gradually standardised to the Prussian norm. This weapon was worn until 1873, thereafter by Landwehr formations carrying obsolete equipment. It had seen service in the wars of 1864, 1866 and 1870/71.

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great example. I prefer collecting the Saxon side arms when I can but I've got an 1838 version of these attributed to Bavaria.

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  • 3 weeks later...

The Bavarian sidearm is ever scarcer!

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German Infantry sidearms, 19th Century:

 

above: Prussian Infantry Sidearm, modified Pattern, dated 1866 and stamped J.R.76 (Hamburg)

centre: Saxon Infantry Sidearm M.1845

below: Prussian Infantry Sidearm M.1852

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Here is a further picture of Saxon sidearm M.45 of Inf.-Regt.103, Based in Bautzen
scabbard and hilt stamped to rear: 103.R. E.4. 227, which means Inf.Rgt.103, Ersatz-Batl, 4th Company, weapons no.227 - leather scabbard is rather frail - great care should be taken in handling old scabbards of this type.

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agreed the scabbards get brittle quickly. I won't store my sidearms in leather scabbards anymore.

 

Bautzen is great btw, truely a 'medieval' feeling town

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It’s advisable to store in scabbard, but avoid dampness and temperatures over 16° C, otherwise the scabbard may shrink in length over time, and you will find that it either no longer fits or has become too short. A scabbard can be treated with pure vaseline, rubbing well in, but beforehand, making sure that it is free from dust and dirt, which all, in the end destroy the leather. A leather scabbard can be cleaned usiing saddle soap, but should be absolutely feee of any moisture before storing blade. The blade also can be coated in vaseline, if in doubt. Vaseline will prolong the life of the leather, keeping it supple, although, a leather scabbard should never be bent. Also, great care should be taken when removing a weapon from it’s scabbard, never hold by the scabbard tip, or the leather body, always from upper fitting. Leather, as with other antiques and works of art, should be stored under ideal conditions. Central heating or dampness is highly damaging. Leather sheathed weapons should never be “stood up”, preferably stored in the horizontal.

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Good advice but I won't use petrolium based products on any of my collection. It is expensive but I use Renaissance Wax which is a specialist wax used in most museums to seal and protect all surfaces.

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