IMPERIAL GERMAN EWALD CLEFF SOLINGEN OFFICER SABER

Updated September 24, 2026

SHIPPING AVAILABLE or LOCAL PICKUP > An Imperial German private-purchase officer’s saber manufactured or retailed by Ewald Cleff of Solingen, Germany, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. The blade is clearly marked EWALD CLEFF ~ SOLINGEN near the hilt. Ewald Cleff is a documented Solingen edged-weapons firm associated with privately purchased German military officer sabers during the Imperial period; surviving Cleff examples include cavalry and artillery officer patterns as well as individually ordered and presentation weapons. The saber features a dark steel stirrup-style hilt with rounded forward quillon, broad knuckle bow and backstrap, together with a textured fishskin-style grip retaining substantial twisted wire wrapping. A reddish-brown grip collar is present immediately above the guard, with a small stamped numeral visible. The relatively restrained hilt contrasts with the considerably more elaborate blade treatment. The gently curved steel blade carries extensive etched floral and foliate decoration extending along a substantial portion of both faces. Immediately below the guard is the arched EWALD CLEFF ~ SOLINGEN signature incorporated into the etched decoration. Period Cleff swords are documented with similarly elaborate etched blades, and specialist German edged-weapons references identify Ewald Cleff as a Solingen supplier of privately purchased officer sabers during the Imperial era. The sword is accompanied by a dark steel scabbard retaining a single suspension ring and flared drag. The single-ring configuration is characteristic of later service and private-purchase scabbards encountered on German sabers of the late Imperial period. The overall form is consistent with the family of Prussian and Imperial German cavalry-style officer sabers, although without regimental, branch or ownership insignia sufficient to assign this particular example to a specific regiment. A specialist discussion of another Ewald Cleff example specifically identifies a comparable privately purchased form as being made after the pattern of a Prussian cavalry officer’s saber. CONDITION REPORT > Expect age-related patina, oxidation, surface wear and scattered spotting throughout the hilt and scabbard. Textured grip covering and substantial wire wrapping remain present, with expected wear and minor displacement associated with age. Blade retains extensive decorative etching with scattered spotting, oxidation, scratches and surface wear. EWALD CLEFF ~ SOLINGEN marking remains legible. Blade appears full length with point present. Steel scabbard retains the suspension ring with extensive age-related finish loss, oxidation and surface corrosion.

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