Personalized Army Dove Head Sword Grouping Belonging to Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross Recipient Oberst Kurt Walter w/Documentation. Oberst Kurt Walter was born on 27 February 1908 in Leipzig, Germany and entered the Reichsheer on 14 November 1927 as a Private in Infantry Regiment 11. He was promoted through the ranks to Feldwebel, and was commissioned a Leutnant on 01 September 1934. In Das Deutsche Heer 1939 Herr Walter is listed as an Oberleutnant commanding 13th Company, Infantry Regiment 32 garrisoned at Teplitz-Schönau in Czechoslovakia located approximately 55km SE of Dresden, Germany. Herr Walter was awarded the Knight's Cross on 25 September 1942 as a Major commanding 2nd Battalion, Infantry Regiment 32, 24th Infantry Division on the Russian Front. On 15 December 1943 he became the 345th recipient of Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross as an Oberstleutnant commanding Infantry Regiment 11, 14th Infantry Division NW of Smolensk on the Russian Front. Herr Walter had previously received the German Cross in Gold on 17 August 1942 (official notation in personnel file as "9. 9. 1942") as a Hauptmann commanding 2nd Battalion, Infantry Regiment 32, 24th Infantry Division. A 77 page file of documentation on Oberst Walter, compiled by noted researcher, Robert McDivitt, as well as other documentation accompanies the sword. Although the sword is unmarked, an example of this pattern sword is pictured on page 108, upper, of Swords of Germany 1900 - 1945 by John R. Angolia as P. D. Luneschloss model (unattributed). A similar sword also appears in the Paul Seilheimer Sales Catalog as Handciselierter Offizier-Einheitssäbel Nr. 61. Gold washed, aluminum hilt fittings retain approximately 98% of the original gold was on the hand incised oak leaf motif on the pommel, backstrap, ferrule, knuckle-bow and langet with Wehrmacht pattern eagle and swastika. Black celluloid-over-wood grip shows virtually no wear with only one tiny crack on upper obverse adjacent to pommel. Plated, double-etched blade measuring 34" in length grades Exc++/Near MINT showing only minor surface wear with no lifting or pitting and no nicks to cutting edge. Blade is complete with original black leather blade buffer pad. Obverse blade features a 14" long frosted panel with a raised floral and vine motif flanking the central panel with the name, "Kurt Walter" in raised Gothic letters. The reverse blade features a 14" long frosted panel with a raised floral and vine motif. Spine of blade features a laurel leaf motif running the length of the etched panels. Etched panels retain 100% of background frosting. Dent-free, steel scabbard retains approximately 95% of original black enamel with minor surface wear, some crazing and a few spots of missing paint. Sword is complete with and Exc++ Officer pattern sword knot and Near MINT tan leather teardrop hanger. Superb combination with full documentation personalized to an Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross recipient.

Included with the sword are the following items:

• Uncleaned Army Officer Dagger w/Portepee & Hangers. F. W. Höller, thermometer inside double oval TM. This uncleaned example features heavily silvered hilt fittings with dark age patina to the well detailed oak leaf embellished pommel as well as the exclusive F.W. Höller crossguard. White, solid celluloid grip is perfect with no cracks, chips or surface wear. Polished blade grades Exc++ retaining much of the original cross graining and showing light surface wear where blade runners have rested against the flats of the blade. There is one small depression/nick to lower cutting edge which is visible primarily from the reverse. Blade is complete with brown leather blade buffer pad. Dent-free steel scabbard shows minor surface wear with dark age patina matching the hilt fittings and is complete with the normally seen thicker scabbard throat and center -placed, flush-mounted, headless screw as used by Höller. The bullion portepee and deluxe hangers with metal tabs grade Exc++/Near MINT Nice F.W. Höller combination. (24661A) Exc++/Near MINT

• "On The Field Of Honor - A History of the Knight's Cross Bearers". By John R. Angolia. Hardbound, English text, 368 pages, 1st edition, published 1980. Entry on Oberst Walter appears on page 289 complete with photograph. (24661B) Near MINT/MINT
  

Nice personalized Army sword grouping. Exc++ (24661) $6,950.