Navy of the German Confederation / Reichsflotte Saber for Officers, circa 1848/49
Heavy naval saber in the typical form, similar to the model for the Prussian Navy. Vertical grip of gilded brass. Lion head without glass eyes, the lion's mane running down the back of the grip. Solid basket guard with the uncrowned double-headed eagle of the North German Confederation before an unclear anchor. Grip covered with black ray skin and intact brass wire wrapping. The polished, only minimally curved steel blade on both sides with the same decorative etching: in the center a large unclear anchor with richly wound anchor cable, above flag, globe, cannon barrel and laurel branch, below the anchor with a bound victory wreath. On the blade spine with finely engraved maker's mark “C. Bernstorff u Eichwede in Hannover” as well as vine decoration. The blade still uncleaned in exceptionally good condition. Black leather scabbard with decorated brass fittings, 2 suspension rings. Overall length 100 cm. Only slight signs of age and use, still uncleaned in untouched original condition, overall condition 2.
A historically significant piece of museum value, in over 35 years of business this is the 1st saber of the German Federal Fleet that we have been able to offer. Extremely rare, no other example is known to us.
The Navy of the German Confederation / Reichsflotte was founded on June 14, 1848 by the National Assembly in Frankfurt am Main. It was intended generally as a German naval force to protect German merchant ships and specifically to serve in the Schleswig-Holstein War against Denmark. The resolution of the National Assembly of June 14, 1848 simply speaks of the “German Navy.” Naval Minister Arnold Duckwitz wrote a report in 1849 about “the founding of the German War Navy.” In the appointment document for Admiral Brommy it is again called “Reichs-Marine.” Prince Adalbert of Prussia, who was considered a naval expert and also advised Prussia, was involved in the plans.
In the short period 1848/1849, a smaller inventory of ships was successfully purchased and refitted. After the suppression of the German Revolution, the Reichsflotte passed to the restored German Confederation by way of the Federal Central Commission.
Although there were plans to continue and expand the fleet as a Federal Fleet, ultimately neither the German Confederation nor any member state wanted to bear the costs. In 1852/53, Federal Commissioner Laurenz Hannibal Fischer sold the ships.
Later, the North German Confederation built up its own naval forces, which became the foundation of today's German Navy.
A historically significant piece of museum value, in over 35 years of business this is the 1st saber of the German Federal Fleet that we have been able to offer. Extremely rare, no other example is known to us.
The Navy of the German Confederation / Reichsflotte was founded on June 14, 1848 by the National Assembly in Frankfurt am Main. It was intended generally as a German naval force to protect German merchant ships and specifically to serve in the Schleswig-Holstein War against Denmark. The resolution of the National Assembly of June 14, 1848 simply speaks of the “German Navy.” Naval Minister Arnold Duckwitz wrote a report in 1849 about “the founding of the German War Navy.” In the appointment document for Admiral Brommy it is again called “Reichs-Marine.” Prince Adalbert of Prussia, who was considered a naval expert and also advised Prussia, was involved in the plans.
In the short period 1848/1849, a smaller inventory of ships was successfully purchased and refitted. After the suppression of the German Revolution, the Reichsflotte passed to the restored German Confederation by way of the Federal Central Commission.
Although there were plans to continue and expand the fleet as a Federal Fleet, ultimately neither the German Confederation nor any member state wanted to bear the costs. In 1852/53, Federal Commissioner Laurenz Hannibal Fischer sold the ships.
Later, the North German Confederation built up its own naval forces, which became the foundation of today's German Navy.
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