Imperial German Artillery Officer’s Sword – Fire-Gilt Guard & Monogram

A rare and visually striking Imperial German artillery officer’s sword, this piece exemplifies the fine craftsmanship and ceremonial pride of pre-1918 Germany. With a fire-gilded hilt adorned by crossed cannons, a richly detailed lion’s mane pommel, and a clean, polished blade, it offers collectors an authentic glimpse into the personal arms of Germany’s elite artillery corps. A true standout for those seeking regimental symbolism and high aesthetic value in a pre-WWI edged weapon.

This is a fine example of an Imperial German artillery officer’s sword, distinguished by its fire-gilded brass hilt, artillery motif, and high-quality blade. The sword likely dates from the late 19th to early 20th century and would have been carried by a commissioned artillery officer—possibly within a Prussian or broader German Imperial artillery regiment.

Physical Characteristics:

• Hilt:
  The hilt retains nearly all of its original fire gilding and displays elegant casting. The pommel is styled as a lion's mane, flowing down the backstrap in high relief—a unique stylistic departure from the more common lion-head pommels. The grip is tightly bound with fine copper wire over a black ray skin or leather base, now toned and slightly worn from age.

• Crossguard & Langets:
  The crossguard is finished in high-relief gilt brass, featuring floral and foliate decorations along the arms. The two langets are especially ornate:

  • One side depicts crossed cannons, clearly identifying this as an artillery piece.

  • The opposite side features deeply engraved script initials, possibly “HR” or “IH,” within a baroque shield—likely a monogram for the officer or presentation initials.

• Blade:
  The blade is a straight, single-edged style, highly polished with a full-length fuller. While largely clean and bright, it shows moderate oxidation and rusting at the tip, visible in the provided photographs. The blade was likely originally unetched, though the fuller finish and visible grind lines reflect a high-quality production, possibly Solingen-made, though no maker's mark is visible on this piece.

• Guard & Backstrap:
  The knuckle bow is gracefully arched and engraved with scrolling oak leaves, extending into the backstrap which continues the lion's mane motif. The combination of this decoration with the artillery insignia suggests a higher-ranking or ceremonial variant rather than a purely field-worn sidearm.

Condition:

• Blade: Clean and straight but exhibits oxidation and pitting near the tip.

• Grip: Very good overall; wire wrapping is intact. Grip material shows age and wear.

• Hilt & Guard: Retains excellent original gilding with only minor age darkening.

• No scabbard is present.

Historical Context:

Artillery officers in the Imperial German Army were often issued specialized sidearms, some of which—like this one—featured symbolic elements such as the crossed cannon barrels seen here. These decorative swords were often purchased privately and reflected personal status, taste, and regimental pride. The use of a lion’s mane pommel, rather than a lion’s head, is an uncommon flourish that suggests the piece may have been custom-made or tailored to the officer’s specifications.