Turkey, Ottoman Empire. An Officer’s Dress Sword, by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie

An Ottoman Army Officer’s dress sword, measuring 99 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features an 84.cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and with a fuller running the majority of the length of each side. The upper half of the blade bears double-sided, acid-etched designs consisting of arabesque imagery flanked by cannons, helmets, drums, and standard flags. The obverse features a tughra, while the reverse also has a hollow void for the addition of additional owner or unit identifications which has been left unspoiled. The obverse ricasso is maker marked with the logo of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie, Solingen, indicating that the sword is a German-manufactured example commonly issued to Ottoman forces following the Ottoman reforms of 1908 assisted by Berlin. The blade sits securely within a multi-piece brass hilt, with the seam covered by an intact buffer pad. The obverse of the crossguard bears a raised coat of arms, while the reverse features an unspoiled plaque for the addition of owner or unit identifications. The back strap similarly bears raised Ottoman Army imagery with an additional tughra. A single piece of blackened and ribbed celluloid, retaining a partially-intact bronze wire cord. Accompanying the sword is its original scabbard, constructed of nickel-plated magnetic metal shaft. The upper third of the shaft features two integral bands completing in loops for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat retains a functional catch to firmly hold the sword in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and storage are visible throughout the sword, and include some running marks to the blade, moderate tarnishing of the brass elements, the loosening of the handle grip’s wire, extensive oxidation throughout the scabbard shaft, and friction which renders insertion and extraction of the sword from the hilt difficult. An interesting German-made example in fair condition.