Original German Pre WWII Hirschfänger Dog Head Forestry Dress Cutlass by Carl Eickhorn with Troddel & Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. In use for centuries, the German Hirschfänger (Deer Catcher) long hunting daggers have always made lovely display pieces, as well as military sidearms. Many of the early bayonets used by the various German States were based on the Hirschfänger design, which is both simple and elegant, almost a short sword in practical terms.

The Hunting and Forestry organizations under the German monarchy were often controlled by aristocrats and well-heeled businessmen. They were generally not organizations inhabited by the common man. The purposes were generally formed for the conservation of game and forestry. Elaborate hunts were great occasions for the well-heeled, while the ladies used the hunting lodges for match-making and gossip. The cutlasses of these Imperial organizations were often extremely ornate, or they could also be utilitarian, made to perform the final killing thrust on game. Both types were often owned by a single individual. Many examples were used strictly for dressing up the beauty of a hunting/forestry uniform.

This is a fantastic pre WWII Era German Hirschfänger Stag Handled Long Shooting Cutlass by the legendary firm of Carl Eickhorn, complete with scabbard. The hilt is fitted with gilt brass, much of which is retained, with a straight wood grip. This is fitted with two brass ornaments on each side, which are loose and can fall out. The “S” shaped crossguard with opposed Deer’s hoof finials that were hand enhanced. There is also a beautiful scallop shell guard on one side, much like those seen on earlier “hunting sword pistols”, which in this case actually looks quite like an actual scallop.

The lovely triple etched blade is still straight, free of major damage and shows only very minor staining and wear. The blade has no post manufacture sharpening to the edge, and these originally were generally intended for thrusting, to finish off their wounded catch. The etched panels on the sides of the blade are simply breathtaking, with one side showing a buck and doe with a hunger aiming his gun, and there is a game fowl to the right of this. The other side shows a pack of hunting hounds taking down a Wild boar, while a hunter runs towards the pile with his hunting cutlass. The panels are surrounded by lovely foliate engraving, and the spine of the blade has a lovely oak leaves and acorn leaf motif running up the back, a classic German design.

The rear ricasso of the blade is stamped with the Carl Eickhorn 1934-35 style double oval trademark logo. It features the trademark squirrel looking to the viewer’s left over C.E., surrounded by the first oval. Inside the second oval is CARL EICKHORN above and SOLINGEN below, with cross marks in between.

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 leather scabbard is fitted with gilt brass, with an acorn frog button, as often seen. The leather is in good shape, though it does show some bending and scrapes in the finish. The gilding is very well retained, and it just looks great!

A magnificent German upmarket Hirschfänger Hunting Association cutlass by a the most famous of all makers in Solingen. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 18″
Blade Style: Hirschfänger w/out Fuller
Overall length: 23 ½””
Scabbard Length: 17 ¾”