Imperial German Model 1873-1896 Artillery Saber

The saber has an overall length in the scabbard of approximately 36 inches, with a blade length of approximately 30 inches. The blade exhibits a film of old dried oil over a portion of the surfaces on both sides, and it shows surface dirt and grime, but otherwise the blade appears to be quite clean beneath the oil and dirt and it likely would respond very well to a careful cleaning. The spine of the blade bears the Imperial crown over the “W” cypher over a date mark which appears to be “11”, for “1911”. The spine also shows the crown over gothic “E” mark of the Prussian Royal Arsenal at Erfurt. The blade is without nicks, chips, or rust. The grip is similarly without chips or cracks. The guard exhibits a uniformly dark patina. The iron scabbard also has a uniformly dark patina and minor surface rust.