Original Ottoman Empire WWI German-Made M1889 Style Triple Etched Turkish Officers Sword by Julius Voos Fabrique of Solingen with Scabbard

Item DescriptionOriginal Item: Only One Available. In the eve of the First World War, the Ottoman Empire was in ruinous shape. It had lost substantial territory in disastrous wars, its economy was in shambles and its subjects were demoralized. The Empire needed time to recover and to carry out reforms, but the world was sliding into war and it would need to take a position. After the Italo-Turkish War and Balkan Wars, the Empire's resources were completely drained. Remaining neutral and focusing on recovery became impossible on the outbreak of the First World War, so the Empire needed to ally with one camp or the other. It did not have adequate quantities of weaponry or machinery, and lacked the financial means to purchase new ones. The Sublime Porte's only option was to establish an alliance with a European power; it did not seem to really matter which one. Talat Pasha, the Minister of Interior, wrote in his memoirs: 'Turkey needed to join one of the country groups so that it could organize its domestic administration, strengthen and maintain its commerce and industry, expand its railroads, in short, to survive and to preserve its existence.'This is a very nice Ottoman Turkish Officer's sword from the closing days of the Ottoman Empire. Founded in 1299, by the 19th Century it was only a shadow of what it had been, and choosing the fight on the Central Powers side during WWI proved to be its undoing.Nevertheless, they still were able to field a substantial and well armed (with German Help) force during WWI, and this very smart officers short sword is from that same period. This example is German-made, and is styled closely to the well-known M1889 Officer's sword pattern, On both sides of the nickel-plated blade are ornate etched designs, with both designs displaying thestar and crescent moonof the Ottoman Empire. The sword has had its edge completely worn down and removed. It has a very worn wire-wrapped ribbed bone/horn grip inside a brass guard with the Crescent moon insignia also on both sides of the chape, but these show a six-pointed Star of David style star.The spine of the blade is etchedJULIUS VOOS FABRIQUE D'ARMES SOLINGEN. The blade is in great shape besides the edge being removed, and the plating is mostly well-retained but there is peppering loss near the ricasso.The brass-mounted steel scabbard is in fair condition overall with some very heavy denting and staining as shown. The denting is mostly towards the drag but there are some near the throat as well.This is a heavily worn example that saw its edge entirely removed post-war. A rare sword, ready for further research and display.Specifications:Blade length: 31'Overall length: 36 5/8'Scabbard length: 31 7/8'Shipping RestrictionsThis product is available for international shipping.Payment OptionsNot eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon