Army Model Nr. 21 Lion Head Sword w/Sword Knot. F. W. Höller, thermometer within double-oval TM. A full-color illustration of this sword appears on page 10 of the 1941 Höller sales catalog as "Nummer 21 der Neue Offizier-Löwenkopf-Säbel mit Grossem Wehrmachtadler". Fire-gilded, brass hilt fittings show minor surface wear to highlights of rich honey-gold finish, with much factory lacquer and gilding remaining on stylized lion head pommel with red glass eyes, oak leaf embellished backstrap and knuckle-bow, and large ferrule/langet with stylized Wehrmacht eagle and swastika. Black celluloid grip shows minor surface wear with a tiny chip on the lower obverse and a small hairline crack on the reverse (both covered by sword knot) and a small scuff to the upper obverse adfgacent to back-strap, and is complete with tight double-twisted, wire wrap. Plated blade measuring 35 ¼" in length grades EX++, showing light surface wear/runner marks and a few tiny "pings" to the cutting edge, but no graying or speckling. Blade is complete with brown leather blade buffer pad. Steel scabbard retains approximately 95% of the original black enamel, showing light surface wear, some minor crazing, and a few scratches, and with two faint depressions to the obverse shell. The original Army Officer's sword knot grades Near MINT with virtually no wear/age. Beautiful example of a rare Höller pattern sword recently obtained from a long-established sword collection in Germany. EX++ (25613) $2.595.