Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the very desirable "Prinz Eugen" (Prince Eugene) variation of the popular Feldmarschall (Field Marshal) series of German "Dove Head" officer swords. It was made by famed firm Carl Eickhorn of Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in western Germany. The Field Marshal series was quite popular, and had a total of nine different variations, named after famous figures in German history, many of which were high ranking military officers. These included the Wrangel, Scharnhorst, Freiherr vom Stein, Roon, Derfflinger, Zieten, and Blücher patterns. The Prinz Eugen and Lützow patterns were added in 1938 and 1939, which are the rarest patterns to find. The Prince Eugen style was very popular among SS officers before their own M36 Officer's degen sword was introduced.

The Pattern 1765 - Prinz Eugen Sword is named after Prince Eugene Francis of Savoy-Carignano (18 October 1663 – 21 April 1736), better known as Prince Eugene. He was a distinguished field marshal in the Army of the Holy Roman Empire and of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty during the 17th and 18th centuries. Renowned as one of the greatest military commanders of his era, Prince Eugene also rose to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna spending six decades in the service of three emperors.

The blade on this sword is an incredible example. It measures 31 3/4 inches and has the highest quality nickel plating. This plating is completely mirror bright with only a few spots of wear.

The blade's ricasso under the chappe is stamped with the post 1941 Eickhorn simplified trademark: a seated "regardent" squirrel looking backward over its shoulder, with the firm's name and location, ORIGINAL / EICKHORN / SOLINGEN below. Carl Eickhorn is a legendary maker from Solingen, the famous "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was founded in 1865 by Carl Eickhorn, and is arguably the most famous of all Solingen makers. Not only could the family trace their history back 500 years, but they could also demonstrate involvement in the hardening and grinding industries for the same period. Truly the nobility of Solingen Edged weapon dynasties. Eickhorn edged weapons are the most desirable of all makers.

The hilt of the sword has areas of beautiful gilt over brass alloy base metal. This combination of hilt metals was sometimes susceptible to plating loss, and unfortunately only around 30% of the gilding remains. The Prinz Eugen design features a less ornate pommel than many others, with simple leaf designs, back strap, "P"-guard and ferrule. The "dove's head" has an NSDAP Reichsadler (National Eagle on it, and the cross guard has an "SS-Style" open-winged eagle which looks to the viewer's left. This art-deco eagle has fine crispness to his eye, breast feathering and raised out swas (hook cross) within a wreath.

There is some looseness to the hilt, and unfortunately the crossguard is cracked through near where it meets the bottom of the grip. There is also a crack through the grip back strap, so we assume that it was dropped at some point in the past.

The black celluloid covered wooden grip is tightly wrapped with quadruple brass wire, with the center pair being twisted. There is a crack near the pommel on the grip which shows the wooden base material, but otherwise it it is intact and in great shape.

The scabbard of this example still has a very good black enamel finish, it is retained at over 95% with no dents that we can see or feel. It does look like it may have been refinished once at the factory. There is a bit of scuffing and crazing, but overall this is one of the better examples that we have seen. There is some wear near the hanger ring, through to the base metal as is typical.

This is a wonderful looking sword, from a very prestigious maker. If you are looking for a great example to hang on the wall, this one should do it!

Specifications:
Overall length: 36 3/4”
Blade length: 31 3/4”
Blade Style: Single Edged with Fuller
Guard dimensions: 5 1/4" width x 4 1/2” length
Scabbard Length: 33"