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Hunting and Shooting in Germany
Page 4
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Fantastic Cased Jäger Medal (Royal) (Item HUNT 4-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is an utterly fantastic medal that was presented for 100 game (deer) kills to Christianus Ernestus, Duke of Stolberg-Wernigerode, by his excellency Johann Albrecht Herzog zu Mecklenburg. This is in the original green leather, green velvet-lined case and bears the gold letters and crown. The jeweler was Alfred Gadebusch, Hof Juweller, jeweler to the palace, in Wernigerode. The badge is fantastic with a finely enameled stag skull. At first appearance it looks like cracks are in the enamel--there are a few--, but the clever jeweler has purposely made the stag horns look rustic and real! The enamel crown has a small nick, but all in all, the piece is in fine overall condition. Extremely rare and fine.
PRICE: $850.00 |
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Presentation Hirshfänger (Item HUNT 4-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a great German hunting dagger (Hirshfänger) in absolutely wonderful condition with one of the finest engraved presentation blades we have ever seen. The legend on the front side of the blade recognizes Herr Johann Stamm at a 25-year service as the first president serving from 1905-1930. This was presented for his 25-year jubilee. On the backside it expresses that he is given this magnificent hunting weapon for true service to the Saint Sebastian Shooting Brotherhood at the town of Lutzenkirchen. The stag grip and all fittings are perfect and the blade is marked and bright. The deep etching with forest scenes are much better than the usual. The maker is Alcoso of Solingen. It comes with an original knot or portapee. The scabbard is also near perfect. The length overall is 24 inches with the blade measuring 15 ½ inches. This is in magnificent shape considering it is 72 years old. We have seldom seen a specimen as fine as this in museums or private collections. Utterly magnificent!
PRICE: SOLD |
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Antique Dog-grip Hunting Sword (Item HUNT 4-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a magnificent museum-quality Hirshfänger possibly Austrian with an ivory hunting dog as the central motif that is hand carved. The piece is undoubtedly from the early 1600's. The letters on the blade indicate this in ancient Germanic script. The fittings are in silver. The blade is in fine Damascus that has been difficult for us to photograph. There are designs of weaponry, cannon, pikes, swords, etc., worked into the Damascus blade in gold. This is the style actually used in the royal hunt and was undoubtedly the favored weapon of some royal personage of the German or Austrian courts. A true museum piece that would grace even the Jagdmuseum in Munich.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Early Hunting Sword (Hirshfänger) (Item HUNT 4-4) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is an excellent-quality hunting (Hirshfänger) of the early 17th-century style. Although the blade is possibly of the 16th century. It is in the classical Austrian style as used by kings and princes or at least landed gentries or the minor royalty. It has a magnificent Damascus blade with various figures and letters worked into the Damascus (an extraordinary feat). The fittings are silver and hand engraved. The grip is black horn. The length is about 30 inches in the scabbard. This example is similar to the pieces proudly displayed at the Munich Jagdmuseum. Very fine condition. One interesting feature is the Turk that is shown in one of the engraved panels. The Turks are depicted on many royal pieces because of the battles that went on for centuries in Austria between the Germanic peoples and these cruel invaders. This period is often memorialized on treasured relics. The quality of this weapon is astounding indeed and is a one-time find of great historical importance.
PRICE: SOLD |
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German Hunting Truss (Item HUNT 4-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a great little huntsman's set of Jagdbesteche (hunting cutlery) with carry case in silver-mounted trim. The handles or grips are of Hirshhorn. This set of eating utensils was often carried by the German Bergsjager while on a hunt that might last several days. Here was part of his mountain or forest kitchen. This set is rather typical of the style of the late 19th century and early 20th century, possibly 1890 or so. Could be as early as 1860's. Rather rare!
PRICE: $650.00 |
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Fantastic Hirschfänger (Item HUNT 4-6; KWEP 2-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here in all its glory is a true museum-grade Hirschfänger (hunting dagger or sword). This one has to be for landed gentry or royalty. It is an estimated period piece from the 1850’s or 1860’s. It has a blued and gilted blade employing floral design with rococo motif of hunting devices under a wreathed halo. The maker under the clamshell guard is practically impossible to see, but on the backside it clearly says (in Solingen). This is an extra-long example almost 29 inches with the blade measuring 23 inches. The roundel oak-leaf theme is repeated seven times on grip and center scabbard ring retainer. The small skinning knife has a rococo-theme cap. This is similar in all aspects to the royal equipment for the hunt from the court of Frederick the Great of Prussia. There is a ring at the top of the finial probably for a strap used to secure the weapon in hand when a steady hand is needed for the kill. Make no mistake, these edged weapons were actually used in the “sport of kings.” They were not just pretty trappings to complete a resplendent costume. This particular style was worn military style suspended from straps hanging form the belt, not in a leather frog as the shorter versions were. In a sword this old some leather shrinkage is to be expected. Thus, the piece lacks about ½ inch of going completely into the scabbard. The scabbard being well over 150 years old is in remarkably good shape with some flaking mostly on the rear portion where it probably rubbed into clothing or saddle on many a hunt. The flaking is completely contained; however, and nothing peels or flakes today. It can be said of this piece that it is “the best of the best” and will grace some fine collection soon and the buyer will be envied! Seldom does an elegant early one come along on a par with this example.
PRICE: $2,850.00 |
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18th Century German Hunting Sword (Item HUNT 4-5; OLD 3-7) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a great historic piece. It’s a Hirshfänger of the style used by Jaeger in the 1700’s. The only decorative part of it is on the top of the stag grip. Here we see the sun symbol or Teutonic rune set into the apex of the handle. Other than this here is a killing tool used very effectively in the hunt. The simple ‘D’ guard of brass is typical. The blade is of the cutlass type with double blood groove. The most interesting thing is the stag handle. It is the most uncomfortable-feeling thing you have ever grabbed. What’s double interesting is that it’s done purposely! The projections emitting from the grip that actually dig into the flesh of the hand are for the purpose of stabilizing the grip of the Jaeger so that when thrust into the wild boar or stag’s body the weapon cannot slip around and the hunter lose the grip. This was an innovation of the Hessian hunters and interestingly enough when they served as mercenaries in foreign lands they often carried their Hirshfängers as hangers in leather scabbards; hanger being a short sword. This piece from grip top to tip of blade is 28 inches long. The blade at its widest point is 1 ¼ inches wide. No scabbard. This is a true museum article.
PRICE: $ 1,500.00 |
Page Four |
Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
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