Kingdom of Saxony: Magnificent Dragon-Head Saber with Rose Damascus Blade as a Gift from King Albert of Saxony to General Georg von Criegern from the Year 1893
Relatively narrow, genuine Damascus hollow-ground blade with fuller, diameter at the ricasso approximately 2.3 cm, the Damascus with fine roses. The blade etched and gilt on both sides, on the obverse with the motto “Trag' diese Wehr zu Sachsens Ehr!” and on the reverse the dedication “Erinnerung an Mein 50jähriges Dienstjubiläum 1893. Albert”, each within a cartouche. Below the dedication cartouche the crowned cipher of King Albert of Saxony “Crown AR”, on the opposite side the Saxon State coat of arms. On the false edge running around the quality mark “Eisenhauer Aecht Damast”. On the back the designation of the supplier or sword cutler “L. A. Seyffarth, Hofgürtler Dresden”. The blade with only a few small spots, the gilding well preserved.
Pierced, fire-gilt and partially polished hilt. The grip back in the form of a winged dragon, the head of the dragon fashioned as a pommel, receiving the knuckle bow in its mouth, on the back of the grip cap again the royal cipher of King Albert of Saxony “Crown AR”, the tail of the dragon screwed to the guard. The guard decorated with floral patterns and palmettes, front with large, raised Saxon coat of arms, held on the obverse side by a lion, with the motto banner “Providentiae Memor”, the crown separately riveted, on the obverse side in the guard with the name of the recipient “Georg von Criegern”. The grip with sharkskin and intact wire wrap. The sharkskin only slightly worn.
Black-blued steel scabbard with one ring band and movable suspension ring. The lacquer approximately 70% preserved, one throat screw missing.
Overall length 105 cm.
Georg von Criegern (*1852, † 1941) was adjutant to Kings Albert, Georg and Friedrich August III of Saxony. In 1906 he was promoted to Lieutenant General.
Albert of Saxony (*1828, † 1902) from the House of the Albertine Wettins was King of Saxony from 1873 until his death. He began a military career early and participated in the most important wars of Central Europe in the 19th century. As early as 1849 he distinguished himself in the First Schleswig War 1848/51 during the assault on the Düppel entrenchments. In 1866, in the Austro-Prussian War, he directed the mobilization of the Saxon Army. After the peace treaty of 1866 he assumed command of the XII. (1st Royal Saxon) Army Corps, which he commanded in the Franco-Prussian War 1870-71. Still during the war he assumed command of the Meuse Army. In 1871 he was appointed by Wilhelm I as the first non-Prussian Field Marshal.
Pierced, fire-gilt and partially polished hilt. The grip back in the form of a winged dragon, the head of the dragon fashioned as a pommel, receiving the knuckle bow in its mouth, on the back of the grip cap again the royal cipher of King Albert of Saxony “Crown AR”, the tail of the dragon screwed to the guard. The guard decorated with floral patterns and palmettes, front with large, raised Saxon coat of arms, held on the obverse side by a lion, with the motto banner “Providentiae Memor”, the crown separately riveted, on the obverse side in the guard with the name of the recipient “Georg von Criegern”. The grip with sharkskin and intact wire wrap. The sharkskin only slightly worn.
Black-blued steel scabbard with one ring band and movable suspension ring. The lacquer approximately 70% preserved, one throat screw missing.
Overall length 105 cm.
Georg von Criegern (*1852, † 1941) was adjutant to Kings Albert, Georg and Friedrich August III of Saxony. In 1906 he was promoted to Lieutenant General.
Albert of Saxony (*1828, † 1902) from the House of the Albertine Wettins was King of Saxony from 1873 until his death. He began a military career early and participated in the most important wars of Central Europe in the 19th century. As early as 1849 he distinguished himself in the First Schleswig War 1848/51 during the assault on the Düppel entrenchments. In 1866, in the Austro-Prussian War, he directed the mobilization of the Saxon Army. After the peace treaty of 1866 he assumed command of the XII. (1st Royal Saxon) Army Corps, which he commanded in the Franco-Prussian War 1870-71. Still during the war he assumed command of the Meuse Army. In 1871 he was appointed by Wilhelm I as the first non-Prussian Field Marshal.
