Gents,

It has been a little slow so I thought I would post a German made US 1902 Presentation Sword. This sword is a presentation grade fancy Model US Army Officer Sword made in Germany between the wars. It is complete with the original sword bag and has undisturbed tarnish on the heavily silver plated fittings.

The hilt has an eagle head pommel with red stone eyes and feathering down the backstrap. The grip is black composite and the guard is covered with leaves, geometric designs, and bright places.

The sword blade is etched "Made In Germany" and has the US distributor etched on the ricasso. This distributor was working in New York in the late 1800s and early 1900s and his name will be found on 1902 US Officer Swords of this type.

Close up view of the guard showing the decoration.

George-
Wonderful M-1902 example. Fancy!

Superb US sword !

Thanks for the kudos guys. These German made US swords are quite nice. I think this one was actually made prior to WWI because of the US distributor but it is hard to pin these down. Here is another standard US 1902 sword that was made by Eickhorn that can be said to have been made in the early 1930s.

George

Nice Swords and good thread. If ok with you, I will post my 1902 presentation that I believe was prior to WWI. Like yours, it is heavily silver plated.

If you think this post is improper, tell me and I will remove it.

Jim

another view

Jim, super nice looking piece!

Great piece!
I always love those "Bird's Head" pommels.
Good to hear from you too Tom.
I'm good, hope that you are also.

Jim,

I love your presentation sword. It is outstanding with the gilt damascus blade. It offers a good comparison to mine. I actually think that mine was made prior to WWI as well because I don't think American Military Supply Corporation was in business after WWI but as I say it is hard to tell. I have also seen post WWII Eickhorn made swords of this type that were sold by Meyer in New York so they have continued to make them.

BTW, I think the red sword bag is original to this sword as I have another 1902 variation made in Germany that was imported by American Military Supply that also has a red bag. Interestingly enough, they both also have red felt washers on the blade.

George

Thank you for the nice words.

This is the sword that will be buried with me.

I think what a lot of people miss is that there are plenty of these out there made by Solingen Manufacturers that sell for $150(not the presentation). because there are so many Model 1902's.

I figure on picking up a few more of these myself.

Jim

I went through a phase of collecting M-1902s. I had specifically focused on early examples from closet manufacturers and distributers, like George Donovan, etc, as well as personalized presentation pieces. I kept each example but havn't added any new pieces in about 4 years.

Excellent examples guys. Very well done. The thread just goes to show how nice and how much allure can exist in 1902 collecting.

quote:

Originally posted by Sword-Fish:
I went through a phase of collecting M-1902s. I had specifically focused on early examples from closet manufacturers and distributers, like George Donovan, etc, as well as personalized presentation pieces. I kept each example but havn't added any new pieces in about 4 years.

Excellent examples guys. Very well done. The thread just goes to show how nice and how much allure can exist in 1902 collecting.

I collect Model 1902 variations too. I agree with Jim that there are some good values out there on some of these swords. Since they have been carried by the US Army for over 100 years now, there are some really neat examples.

The straight blade variation by American Military Supply Corp. above is certainly an odd ball one and notice the white sharkskin grip. I prefer named presentation 1902s with etched dedications on the blade. Here is an interesting example of a pre-war US produced presentation blade.

George

I have most of the Eickhorn records for these swords up to the 30s and then some after the war (50s)Lists of names to be etched or engraved price wars etc..... I will post a few pictures tonight. They sold just blank blades also to Ames and other American sword makers.
Regards: Jim

Jim,

That is super information. I know that Eickhorn sold to Meyer in New York for many years before and after the war. I would be particularly interested to know if they sold to American Military Supply Corporation, and when, as I suspect they did.

I will check... It might take a few days but I will see what I can find... As you know there were a few other German sword companies selling to the same American Dist... Regards: Jim

George,

Nice to see your Eickhorn example with the double oval tm. I have a 1902 with the earlier single oval surrounding the squirrel over C.E. tm.

Tony

I have not found anything from American Military supply.. I still have to go through everything.. there is at least 30 to 50+ different U.S. stores or Dist.. Eickhorn sold to... One letter in German shows the make they will use on the blade. the letter is dated 1929.. Picture below

There are some great letter heads also.

later one....

Meyer sword sending Eickhorn a x-max card.. Sort of cool..

The letters do not go much past 1939 for the U.S. 1000s of letters. This will be a future project..Regards: Jim