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German Sword Identification

For centuries, the sword has served not only as a weapon of war, but has also endured in world cultures as a symbol of honor and valor. This is especially true in the German tradition of swords and arms, which dates back nearly a thousand years and continues into the modern era. Many such examples of their craftsmanship survive to this day in private and museum collections.

Medieval Longswords
- Swords forged in medieval times are recognized as products of German craftsmanship by their size, shape and other characteristics. These weapons are often classified by historians as Oakeshott Types XVIIIa and XVIIIb , also called hand-and-a-half swords. They feature long, slender blades measuring 30 to 40 inches long, and disc-shaped pommels. A cross-section of the blade typically is shaped like a flattened diamond.
Great Messer
- The messer is a medieval weapon unique to the German people. Resembling its name, which translates to "large knife", it is a one-handed sword with only one sharpened edge roughly 30 inches long. The end of the hilt bends forward to help the wielder control its motion. The hilt also has a nagel, or short nail, protuding from the outer (right) face of the grip to protect the fingers.
Classical
- Imperial German officer's sabers were either slightly curved or straight, as with the German degen sword. Around the 17th century, it became common practice for the sword maker to etch his name or a unique logo in the ricasso, the unsharpened portion just above the hilt. Sabers issued to officers often featured symbols of German heritage, such as a lion's head in the pommel, oak leaves in the hilt etchings or the royal cypher.
Modern
- In the 20th century, German armed forces changed many of the thematic elements formerly present in dress swords during the second World War.
  
  Whereas Imperial sabers and degens sported brass or gilded hilts, those issued to SS officers almost always had simple black grips. While oak leaves remained present as a national symbol, the eagle featured more prominently in hilt engravings and was supplemented by Armanen runes (i.e. swastikas).
  
  It was also during this period that registration of all sword manufacturers was mandated; each sword maker had an individual number, which was etched on the ricasso.
Warning
- German swords in particular are popular artifacts for forgers to fake, or for scammers to copy with skillful reproductions--especially with World War II relics. Use caution when attempting to purchase or acquire historical swords, and only deal with reputable antique appraisers or dealers.

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