Fritz Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 This weapon was a remake of the old Prussian infantry sabre M.1715, which had a very long service, and examples of which were constantly repaired or fitted with a new blade or scabbard. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, Prussia had large stocks of older weapons as well as captured French weapons, which then bacame standard. The French line infantry sabre was then standard issue to the Prussian infantry regiments, the Guards regiments favoured the old Prussian model, and these were remade in 1816, and finally still in use by second line units till about 1873. The slightly curved blade had, as always an etched crowned FWR mongram towards the root of the blade. Hilt, grip and guard were of solid brass in the typical style as favoured at the beginning of the Eighteenth Century, and for reasons of tradition, renewed in the early nineteenth Century. This example has a later dated blade, the back of which has a crowned W stamp over 65, being 1865. This weapon was also worn until after 1914 by the Schlossgarde-Kompanie, the palace guard of the Prussian palaces, together with the old ceremonial uniform. This example is missing it's scabbard, which was of plain dark brown leather, all fittings concealed, with a long brass frog hook and a brass ball tip to the lower end. Obtained from an auction in Southern Germany in 1995. Blade marked with a crown over FW and dated 1865, with a further crowned S below, probably for manufacture at Suhl. Although this type of weapon was outdated, was still in service till around 1873. Used as a traditional decorative sidearm by the Schloßgarde-Kompanie till the end of the monarchy, and worn with a silver Portépée. An example of the M.1816 Garde-Infanterie-Säbel with original brown leather scabbard and FWR-monogram on the root of the blade 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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