Third Reich Army NCO/EM Sword w/Personalized Double-Etched Blade. Carl Eickhorn, stamped squirrel holding sword TM. An illustration of this sword appears in the "Eickhorn Kundendienst" as "Mannschaftssäbel Nr. 189". Nickel-plated hilt fittings show minor wear but no crazing or lifting to the unadorned pommel, knuckle-bow and crossguard. Black bakelite grip shows light surface wear with no cracks or chips and is complete with tight triple twisted wire wrap. Plated double-etched blade measuring 34" in length grades excellent++ showing light surface wear/runner marks, a few minor areas of graying near tip but nicks or damage to the cutting edge and is complete with brown leather blade buffer pad. Obverse blade features an etched pattern on frosted background which appears in the "Eickhorn Kundendienst" as number "3240". The etched pattern consists of a 14 1/8" long floral motif flanking a central blued panel with the personalization, "Heinz Middendorf" in raised gothic letters with a matching floral motif etch on the reverse blade. The etched panels as well as the etched blade spine retain 100% of the light gray and blue background frosting. Dent-free steel scabbard retains approximately 85% of the original factory black enamel showing surface wear/crazing with loss of paint primarily to the center obverse scabbard shell. Exc++ (23248) $2,195.