RARE Imperial/Weimar Reuss Subordinate Forestry Hirschfänger w/Frog. WKC, "High-Neck" knight's helmet TM. A photograph of a similar Hirschfänger appears on page 290, lower of Collecting the Edged Weapons of Imperial Germany Volume I. The small, dual Principality of Reuss, with a population in 1914 of only 185,000, was located on the NW border of Saxony with the capitol located at Gera, approximately 55km SSW of Leipzig. Gilted brass hilt fittings show minor surface wear/age patina with much factory gilting remaining on the fluted, hunting pattern pommel cap with acorn style pommel cap, unadorned knuckle-bow, plain ferrule with incised grooves, and crossguard with stag hoof quillon Deluxe pattern, oval clamshell features the raised, crowned Arms of Reuss with mantle surrounded by a raised oak leaf border. Dark/medium brown, hunting Hirschfänger style, single-piece, stag horn grip is perfect with no cracks or chips and is complete with three gilted brass acorns without oak leaves, showing some surface wear and age patina, pinned to the obverse. Plated, double-etched blade measuring 30cm in length grades Exc./Exc.+ showing surface wear/runner marks, some gray speckling/shadowing, and one tiny nick to the center cutting edge. Blade etch motif features floral design flanking a central panel containing hunting scenes of hounds, foxes, stag and doe herd with surface wear and some dark speckling to the background frosting. Blade is complete with red felt blade buffer pad. Black leather scabbard shows wear/age crazing to obverse, but no rips, tears, creases, or damage to the reverse stitching. Dent-free, unadorned, upper and lower, gilted brass scabbard fittings show light wear with portion of factory lacquer remaining on the obverse upper fitting which is complete with acorn pattern suspension lug. Both scabbard fittings are marked on the reverse with "4" and are complete with both retaining staples. Green leather frog shows much age darkening to leather, and oxidation to upper D-ring with some loose stitching to the left side. RARE, Imperial/Weimar WKC Forestry Hirschfänger. Exc.+ (24790) $1,895.