This Model 89 sword is made in the grosser pattern, and was produced as a showroom tool to demonstrate some of the extra cost details that were available through this prestigious firm. The hilt is in the design of a model 89 which of course was still available for officers to order in the event that they may have lost or misplaced their original imperial degen. As stated above this example is in the large grosser pattern. The hilt is of all brass construction basically being a plain type with a gilded finish. Only about 25% remains of the gilding. The basket hilt of course displays the Prussian eagle with the crown on his head and the cipher of Wilhelm II on the breast. The bird clutches a scepter in one claw and a sword in the other. This bird is extremely well detailed with hand engravings as well as nice pebbling accenting some of the features.
There is a number “3” which has been applied to the reverse of the pommel backstrap. This “3” appears to be the same style insignia that was used to apply to shoulder boards. It is possible that this number was used to designate the number in the Eickhorn showroom sword grouping or it is also possible that the application was used to demonstrate that purchasers could have a number like this applied to their sword at extra cost.
The grip is a sharkskin variety showing some cracking which has occurred along the seam which runs down the back of the grip. There is also some wear to the sharkskin on the high sections of the ribs. This sharkskin is wrapped with triple brass wire being twisted and larger in the center. The leather finger hold has broken off but the original portion is still seated between the ferrule and the lower basket hilt.
The blade is a large proportioned style measuring 34 inches in length. It is nickel-plated and does show some age freckling in the surfaces but it is not bad and will clean out if someone wanted to do this. The blade is the style that has dual fullers and both fullers run almost to the tip. The upper obverse portion of the blade has a large frosted panel. The panel at the end has a pointed design motif. Raised out on the panel is a large size 1935-41 Eickhorn squirrel logo.
The squirrel holds a downward pointing sword and above the animal is the word, “original” and below is the firm’s name and location, “Eickhorn / Solingen”. Below this are the raised out words in Gothic style lettering, “Original Eickhorn Blanke Waffen”. There are some hints of gilding which remain on the raised surfaces of the trademark and the lettering. I would estimate this gilding is about 10-20%.
The original blade washer is still in place showing some age but is still all there.The Eickhorn showroom swords can be seen in Volume VI of Johnson’s reference series and there is also a picture of an Eickhorn showroom illustrated in the Kundendiendienst. This particular sword though is not shown in either of the references quoted. All that this means is that it was apparently made as a sample but was not included in the showroom window.
This example does show some age but if someone wanted to work with cleaning it up and having the grip recolored as well as regilding the trademark and the lettering I’m sure that this piece could be extremely improved. Some of the Eickhorn showroom swords had scabbards and some did not. This example did not as it is not accompanied by a scabbard. Probably if there were a scabbard the blade would still be in a mint state. At any rate, a great sword for the ultimate Eickhorn collector. The chances of finding showroom swords still in existence or available on the collector market are almost nil.
