Ein Preußischer Felddegen von 1729 für Reiter-Offiziere nebst einigen Anmerkungen zur Gefäßform

Abstract

There is no clear definition of the design of the sword of the Prussian officer of the first third of the 18th century but we know that it had a knuckle bow hilt with shell-type hilt plate and a high crosspiece (Kling, Jany). After the introduction of the cavalry sword with basket hilt [Kavallerie-Korbdegen] for field service in 1733, the older officer’s sword continued to be used in non-combat operations [kleiner Dienst]. The ‘Seydlitz-Degen’ in the Deutsches Historisches Museum is presented as an example of such a transitional rapier/small-sword of the mid 18th century. It is relatively small and was worn as a symbol of rank as part of the uniform. The sword knot [portepée] was also used as a sign of rank for officers.
We present a Prussian sword made by the Prussian manufacture at Potsdam with boat-shell-hilt. Its blade is dated 1729 and its measurements indicate that it was fit for field service. A sword that is ‘fit for field service’ is defined as having a blade of at least 3 cm width. Boat-shell-hilt-swords can be identified in contemporary paintings depicting Prussian cavalry officers (Hans Hermann Graf von Katte, D. G. von Natzmer), which also show the boat-shell-hilt variety with quillon. We use a Rococo cartouche to show that the English term boat-shell-hilt is both an apt and illustrative description for this particular type of guard.