Germany. Imperial Order of the Black Eagle Sword by Eickhorn
Germany. Imperial Order of the Black Eagle Sword by Eickhorn
HISTORY. Established in 1701 by Friedrich I, King of Prussia, the Order of the Black Eagle was the premier knightly order in Prussia and Unified Germany, active from it's founding through the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Primarily issued to German nobility for civic and military duty, foreign royals also were inducted, including 2 Japanese emperors, Louis XVIII and Napoleon Bonaparte. Though the Order ended with the Kaiser, the post-World War II Feldjaeger (military police) would later take up their emblem.
The brass Lion’s Head hilt shows great detail, including a totenkopf skull on the P-guard and the Black Eagle Order star on the obverse languet with the order’s motto “Suum Cuique”, Latin translation “To Each His Own”. The rare order portepee is attached. The scabbard has its original shape and 98% of its original paint, with a couple small dents toward the bottom. The blade is bright and shinny with a fair amount of ages spots toward the end of the blade. Because of the blade maker logo for Carl Eickhorn, it appears to be a replacement. Great piece of history.
M621