Original Imperial German WWI Artillery Officer Sword Dated 1897 by Otto Mertens of Solingen with Unit Marking Hotchkiss .303 and a Dutch squadron including

and a Dutch squadron including the much bigger Dutch Frigate MARIA REIGERSBERGEN

On the outside of the leather liner band is S Michel in black ink or paint which stained the leather

the receiver rear

AG Thale/Harz

The design was intended to give the average Japanese infantryman a long enough reach to pierce the abdomen of a cavalryman

Original Imperial German WWI Artillery Officer Sword Dated 1897 by Otto Mertens of Solingen with Unit Marking Hotchkiss .303 and a Dutch squadron includingOriginal item. One Only. Despite the machine guns and artillery, swords were still issued to officers in WW1. This is a fine example of the German Artillery Officer's Sword commonly referred to as the "Blcher Sabel" named for the Prussian Commander who was ally to the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. This example is in fine condition showing really nice condition and stamped on the spine of the ricasso is a small Crown over W over