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Prussian Presentation Saber from the Personal Property of Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, Later King of Prussia and German Emperor, from the Year 1830

Presentation saber as a custom commission by the firm P. Knecht, Solingen to Prince Wilhelm from the year 1830. 3.5 cm wide and 78.5 cm long, curved blade with yelman point, the blade etched on both sides for approximately two-thirds of its length, decorated with scrollwork and trophies, partially gilt and blued, on the obverse side in a cartouche the facsimile signature of the Prince “Wilhelm” in the manner of his signature, on the reverse side the inscription “Erinnerung an Solingen d. 30. August 1830” (Remembrance of Solingen, August 30, 1830), toward the ricasso the maker's mark running around “P. Knecht in Solingen”, the blade slightly spotted. Gilt brass hilt, partially finely chased, with floral patterns and classicizing motif of a trophy bundle with Corinthian helmet, black ebony grip with checkered surface, attached Prussian sword knot of old type. Without scabbard. Condition 2.

Overall length 91 cm.

This is an object of historical and museum significance!

The saber was manufactured on the occasion of the visit of Prince Wilhelm of Prussia (b. 1797, d. 1888) to Solingen at the firm P. Knecht on August 30 expressly for this purpose only. The background was the procurement of new weapons for the Prussian Army, which Prince Wilhelm intended to carry out. In the army list of 1830, Prince Wilhelm is listed as General of Cavalry and Chief of the General Staff of the Guards Corps. Prince Wilhelm was the third child of King Friedrich Wilhelm III with Luise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and brother of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. Since his elder brother remained childless, Wilhelm advanced to heir apparent. Appointed Crown Prince in 1840, Wilhelm assumed the regency in 1858 for his ailing brother. In 1861 he became King of Prussia. The intended arms purchase in Solingen was not a random event. It coincides with the July Revolution of 1830 in France, during which Prince Wilhelm developed a pronounced fear of revolution for his own country.
445035
17.500,00

Prussian Cuirassier Dress Sword for an Officer of the Garde du Corps from the Period of the Fourth Coalition War 1805/06

Circa 1805/06. Heavy hexagonal blade, approximately 2.8 cm wide and 83 cm long, hand-engraved on both sides, upper portion inscribed “Garde·Du·Corps.”, below which the crowned Prussian eagle with the Order of the Black Eagle, above the crown the inscription “Vivat Alexander”, reverse side “Alexander”, the blade cleaned, somewhat spotted. Large gilt brass hilt with shell-shaped guard, the grip section with intact wire wrapping. Leather scabbard with gilt brass mounts. Condition 2.

Overall length 103 cm.

A historically highly interesting and rare object! The inscription “Vivat Alexander” indicates that the weapon was carried by a member of the Garde du Corps regiment (raised 1740) during the visit of Tsar Alexander I (Emperor of Russia 1801-25) to Berlin and Potsdam from October 28 to November 5, 1805 with King Friedrich Wilhelm III and Queen Luise. On this occasion, Tsar Alexander I presented the Garde du Corps regiment with black cuirasses, which were worn for many decades. During this visit, the “Potsdam Agreement” also established Prussia's entry into the war against France, which led to the Fourth Coalition War and thus to the catastrophe of Jena and Auerstedt in 1806.
https://huch.berlin/kalendarium-friedrich-wilhelm-iii/?1805

A vivid account of this event is given by the writer “Willibald Alexis” in his 1852 novel “Ruhe ist die erste Bürgerpflicht oder Vor Fünfzig Jahren” which also describes the role of the Garde du Corps present.
https://www.projekt-gutenberg.org/alexis/ruhe/ruhe304.html




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