M-1926 Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) Officer's Sword w/Double-Etched Blade. E.& F. Hörster, Solingen, 2-line TM. Photographs of this pattern sword appear pages 141-142 of Armi Bianche Militari Italiane 1814-1950 by Cesare Calamandrei. Gilted brass hilt retains virtually 100% of the factory fire gilting on the heavily chiseled crowned eagle head pommel with ruby-red glass eyes, feathered backstrap, filigreed ferrule and basket crossguard/knuckle-bow with gilt feathered motif. Black leather covered grip with gilt wire wrap is perfect with no rips or tears. Straight, single-fullered, double-etched, court sword style blade measuring 26 1/8" in length, grades Exc++ showing minor wear/age shadowing to ricasso and a small 1 ½" long scuff to the lower obverse near tip, but no pitting, lifting or nicks to cutting edges. Obverse blade features a 14 ½" long etched panel featuring floral and military motifs on blued background flanking a central blued panel with a raised motif of a crowned eagle in flight. The reverse blade features a matching 14 ½" long etched/blued panel with a central raised motif of the arms of Savoy on a blued background. The etched panels retains virtually 100% of the blued background. Blade is complete wit dark blue felt blade buffer pad. Black leather scabbard shows light surface wear, but no nicks, rips, tears reases and no damage to the reverse stitching. The scabbard is complete with gilt upper, center and lower fittings and two suspension rings showing virtually no wear to gilting. The fittings feature heavy raised floral motifs separated by oak leaf bands. Very nice Italian Air Force sword by one of the major German edged weapons manufacturers. Exc++ (24754) $1,295.