Germany, Heer. An Officer’s Dress Sabre, by Lauterjung & Sohn

(Heer Offizierssäbel). An extremely well-preserved Heer Officer’s dress sabre, measuring 96 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features an 81 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a gentle curvature, sharpened tip, and with double-sided fullers running approximately two-thirds of the length of each side. The reverse ricasso is maker marked with the classic “PUMA” logo and trade name of Lauterjung & Sohn, Solingen. The blade sits securely within a multi-piece hilt with an intact blackened leather buffer pad covering the seam. The hilt consists of a gilded alloy crossguard, the obverse of which bears a medallion overlaid by a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, while the reverse bears a plain medallion overlaid by a hand-etched “D” monogram. A gilded backstrap extends from the crossguard and culminates in a detailed lion’s head pommel, with the eyes inset with two cut red glass gems. A hand guard emanates from the lion’s mouth and links with the lower end of the crossguard, while the handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed black celluloid, with the ribbing retaining an original silver wire cord. The sabre is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft. An integral band set around the shaft near the throat retains a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat also retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the sabre in place during storage. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include sporadic running marks and tarnishing to the blade, with additional moderate loss of paint throughout the scabbard. The sabre remains in an overall near extremely fine condition.