A BEAUTIFUL MINT SILVER HILT LIONS HEAD TRIPLE ETCHED SWORD FOR A THIRD REICH SHOOTING CLUB.

A really stunning sword by EF HORSTER. It has a brass based but fully silver plated lions head hilt in mint condition. 100% silver plating. A perfect black celluloid grip with tripe wire wrap. The crossguard langet features crossed cannons. The black painted scabbard is perfect. There is a 'Grosse' large army style sword knot tied around the grip and hilt. The blade is amazing and is triple etched. B othbsodes and the spine. On the obverse there is a specific etched panel with ' Schutzenverin Runthe 1848'. This is not the date of the sword, but the date when the shooting club was founded. This club still exists in a place called Bergkamen, which is located between Dortmund and Hamm. Absolutely mint blade with this perfect etching. Not exactly sure what the sword was used for. A presentation? A gift to a member? The sword is made by EF Horster, a very high quality maker. Their oval trademark is stamped into the blade riccasso but difficult to see as it's right under the crossguard langets.A really lovely thing.