German WW2 Luftwaffe Officer’s Sword

Description

Third Reich Luftwaffe officer’s parade sword with aluminum hilt of cruciform shape featuring quillons formed as bird’s feathers, swastika in a circle on the quillon block, and large disc pommel bearing a circular swastika. Dark blue leather grip wrap (minor wear and losses) with double twisted silver wire. Straight chrome-plated 28 1/4″ hexagonal- section blade with central fuller, marked on one side with maker’s mark of a seated king holding a sword and “SMF/SOLINGEN” with waffenampt. Original dark blue leather scabbard (minor scuffs and cuts from use) with German silver mounts (patinated) and leather belt hanger. Very good condition as brought back by PFC Leland C. Fields of the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. Fields was in the Headquarters company of the 517th and saw action in Italy, Operation Dragoon (Invasion of Southern France) and the Battle of the Bulge. This highly decorated elite unit was attached at various times to the 13th Airborne, 82nd Airborne, and 17th Airborne Divisions and to this day holds many records unrivaled by any other airborne regiment. Purchased directly from Fields’ great grandson and includes a softcover unit history called “Battling Buzzards”. Very good condition, showing typical wear and use. Overall length 35 1/4″, not including scabbard.