This is a rare and original early Imperial German Army Artillery short sword - Faschinenmesser (fascine knife) Model 1864, with its mismatched leather scabbard.

Infanterie-Regiment Fürst Leopold von Anhalt-Dessau (1. Magdeburgisches) Nr. 26)

7th Company

Weapon number 129

Gothic crowned "FW" (Friedrich Wilhelm, r. 1795-1861), "64" (1864)

This sword was adopted in 1860 during the reorganization of the Prussian Army. They were issued to unmounted troops to be used as a tool for fortification construction, or close-quarters weapon for protection when armed with the Zündnadelgewehr (Dreyse needle-gun of 1841). It was withdrawn from the Infantry after the introduction of the Mauser M1871 rifle (with sword bayonet) but continued to be issued to Pioneer or Field Artillery personnel. It was also often used as a ‘walking-out’ sidearm.

The sword itself is Regimentally attributed to the 5. Westfälisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 53, which was raised on the 5th May, 1860. Throughout its existence before World War I, the regiment was primarily stationed in Westphalia and the Rhineland, with major garrison locations including Cologne, Münster, and Mainz.

This regiment would later fight in the Austro-Prussian war, and heavily engage in the Franco-Prussian war.

Maker Marked S&K, for Schnitzler & Kirschbaum, whom were based in Solingen, Prussia. The spine of the blade is marked with a "17." Lacking metal tip of scabbard.

Overall a nice, rare and very desirable sidearm from the Prussian army. Proof of age (18+) required for delivery.