WWII Nazi German Army Heer Officer’s Lion Head Sword

Description

Featuring gilt aluminum hilt with P-guard, langets, lion head pommel with red glass eyes and integral backstrap, and reverse quillon with lion head finial. Closed-wing eagle on the langets and the rest with oak leaf decoration in relief. Unusual shell pattern on the grip “ears”, which are integral with the backstrap. Black celluloid grip with twisted aluminum wire wrap (wire slightly loose). Slender 33” (84 cm) single-edged blade with F.W. Holler maker’s mark on the ricasso. Original black-painted steel scabbard with single carry ring. Original leather portapee with silver wire bullion thread (one strap broken and held together by a thread). Gilding on hilt is bright, with wear on the high spots showing the aluminum beneath. Blade near mint, scabbard showing wear and scuffs to the paint. Overall length 38 1/2” (98 cm), not including scabbard. There are many patterns of German army officer swords. This example identical to one pictured in “German Swords of World War II, Volume One: Army”, by Thomas M. Johnson on page 192.