Royal Hessen Forestry Official's Hirschfänger w/Ivory Grip.Back-to-back squirrels (Circa 1906 Carl Eickhorn) TM. An illustration of this pattern Hirschfänger appears on page 138 of the 1908 Musterbuch der Waffenfabrik Carl Eickhorn Solingen as Pattern No. 1080 "Hessischer Oberförster-Hirschfänger". An example of this pattern Hirschfänger is also pictured on page 155, lower left of Imperial German Edged Weaponry Volume Three. Gilded brass hilt fittings show light surface wear to the highlights with much of the matte, honey-gold factory finish remaining in the recesses of the lion head pommel, floral motif front and back straps ribbed ferrule, oak leaf enhanced upper knuckle-bow and oak leaf/lion head quillon tip. The large well detailed clamshell with plain border features a large stag in a forest setting as illustrated in the Musterbuch. The genuine ivory grip plates grade Near MINT showing light age toning only with no cracks, chips or surface damage, and are complete with three raised, floral motif rosettes on the obverse and reverse. The plated, double-etched blade measuring 17 ¾" in length grades EX+ showing light surface wear/runner marks with minor surface gray speckling primarily to the obverse/reverse ricassos but, no pitting or nicks to cutting edge and is complete with large green felt buffer pad. Both obverse and reverse blade feature 10 1/8" long etched panels with raised hunting scenes on a frosted, light gray background. The obverse blade features a motif of an Auerhahn and large wild boar flanking a central panel of a stag and two does running through a forest while the reverse blade features a motif of a water fowl and large stag flanking a central panel of a hunter with hunting hound stalking a stag. The blade spine features a 9 ¾" long etched panel with raised laurel leaves on a frosted background. The black leather scabbard shows light surface wear/age but, no creases, rips or tears and no damage to the reverse stitching. The dent-free upper and lower gilded brass fittings show surface wear/age patina with the acorn pattern frog lug present on the upper fitting but, the retaining staple is missing on the lower fitting. Photocopies of the above referenced documentation are included with the Hirschfänger. EX+ (26763) $2,495.