Original Imperial German Model 1854 Hessian Infantry Officer’s Sword By Carl Eickhorn
Not all regiments of the Imperial German army used the same style of sword as the Prussian 1889 Infantry Officer’s Sword. The Grand Duchy of Hesse was a constituent state of the German Empire and fielded four infantry regiments. Officers of those regiments carried this sword.
The slightly curved blade with one fuller and the blade is in excellent condition considering it's age. The blade has some very minor rust near the riccasso and some very small gray spots throughout. The riccasso bears the back to back squirrels marking that the firm of Carl Eickhorn used from 1906-1921. Black celluloid covered wood. The grip is wrapped with a triple strand of wire. The guard, pommel and backstrap are made of a ferrous metal covered with gilding, but much has worn off due to use and age. There is a leather finger loop just inside the ornate pierced guard.
The black painted scabbard still retains a good amount of black factory paint, but some surface rust could be seen where the paint has been missing. There is damage to the edge of one side of the scabbard, the sword still slides and goes in and out smoothly.
Offered here is an original Imperial German Model 1854 Hessian Infantry Officer’s Sword, a distinctive pattern carried by officers serving in the infantry regiments of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. Unlike many other Imperial German states that adopted the Prussian Model 1889 Infantry Officer’s Sword, Hessian officers continued to wear this elegant and recognizable pattern, making it an interesting and desirable piece of Imperial German edged weapon history.
The sword features the characteristic slightly curved single-edged blade with a broad fuller extending along much of its length. Considering its age, the blade remains in excellent condition, retaining a pleasing bright finish throughout. There are a few areas of minor oxidation near the ricasso along with scattered light gray spotting and age-related marks, all consistent with long-term storage and honest age. The ricasso is stamped with the desirable back-to-back squirrels trademark used by Carl Eickhorn, Solingen, dating the sword's manufacture to approximately 1906–1921.
The grip consists of a wood core covered in black celluloid and remains solid and attractive. It is tightly wrapped with its original triple-strand wire binding, which remains intact and secure. The ornate pierced guard, backstrap, and pommel are constructed of ferrous metal that was originally gilt finished. While much of the original gilding has worn away through age and service, attractive traces remain visible within the recessed details of the guard, enhancing its appearance. The decorative pierced guard displays the classic Hessian pattern and remains structurally sound. Also present is the original leather finger loop inside the guard, as well as the original leather blade buffer, both increasingly difficult features to find intact.
The black-painted steel scabbard remains complete and retains a respectable amount of its original factory finish. Areas of paint loss have resulted in scattered surface oxidation and age patina throughout, giving the sword an honest untouched appearance. There is damage along one edge of the scabbard, including a split and deformation to the metal, which is clearly visible. Despite this, the blade still inserts and withdraws smoothly, and the scabbard remains fully functional for display and storage purposes.
Overall, this is a very attractive and increasingly scarce Imperial German Hessian officer’s sword produced by the renowned firm Carl Eickhorn. Featuring its original wire-wrapped grip, pierced guard, leather finger loop, blade buffer, and matching scabbard, it presents as a solid collector-grade example with honest age, character, and unmistakable Imperial German appeal.
