THIRD REICH NAVAL OFFICERS SWORD BY WKC WITH EXTREMLY RARE U-BOAT DECORATED ETCHED BLADE.

During the Third Reich WKC offered naval officers swords with four types of blade finish, 1) plain blade, 2) blade etched with battle ships with flags, 3) blade etched with battle ships with swastika decorated flags, 4) the rarest of all was a blade decorated with a U-boat, battle ships, sea plane, eagle and swastika and the naval war memorial. Over the last 40 years as a dealer and collector this is only the 2nd WKC U-boat decorated sword of this very rare model that I have owned, it is exceptionally rare. Gilt brass lions head hilt which still retains some gilt finish, the highly detailed lions head features glass eyes, one is red and one is green which is the naval style for officers swords. The obverse folding guard features the fouled anchor with foliage decoration, the reverse locking plate features a stamped number, my previous example also featured a number but what it represents I am not sure but it is not in my opinion a stores number. The white celluloid grip is in mint condition and it still retains all the gilt grip wire. The blade is exceptional, the obverse side is stamped WKC with there knights head trade mark, the blade is etched with a long floral panel and features two large ships, sea plane and also a large eagle and swastika. The reverse side of the blade also features a long floral panel decorated with a large and highly detailed U-boat, sea plane, large naval ships and a representation of the naval war memorial, there are a few minor age marks mostly to the lower part of the blade but they are very minor and over all the blade is in extremely nice condition. Black leather scabbard is in fine condition and it is fitted with three matching gilt brass fittings, the fittings are held in place by metal staples, the lower fitting is missing the staple but the fitting is still firmly held in place. An exceptionally rare sword which is often missing from even the very most advanced collections. Exc++

Code: 36826