Third Reich Army Artillery NCO/EM Sword w/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/speckling, but no crazing or lifting to the unadorned pommel, knuckle-bow and crossguard. Black bakelite grip is perfect with no cracks or chips and is complete with tight triple twisted aluminum wire wrap. Plated double-etched blade measuring 36 5/8" in length grades Near MINT showing light surface wear/runner marks and a few tiny "pings" to lower blade cutting edge, but no lifting, pitting or major nicks to cutting edge. Obverse blade features an etched pattern on frosted background which appears in the "Eickhorn Kundendienst" as number "3240". The etched pattern consists of a 15" long floral motif flanking a central light gray frosted panel with the personalization, "Artillerie Regiment No 31" in raised gothic letters. The reverse blade features a matching 15" long floral motif flanking a central etch on a central light gray frosted panel with closed-wing Wehrmacht eagles flanking a motif of a mounted Artillery section of horses, riders, cannoniers, caisson and mounted trumpeter. The etched panels show minor darkening to the background frosting, but no damage to the laurel leaf etched blade spine or to the brown leather blade buffer pad. Dent-free steel scabbard retains approximately 90% of the original factory black enamel showing surface wear/crazing to scabbard shell, but no major loss of paint. Research in the 1939 German Army Rank List indicates that Artillery Regiment 31 was garrisoned in Halberstadt located approximately 45km SE of Magdeburg as part of the 31st Division. During WWII the division fought in Poland, France and Russia and was eventually destroyed in the battle of Berlin. EX++ (25610) $1,895.