Senior Forestry Cutlass by Eickhorn – D665
Offering a Senior Foresters cutlass manufactured by everyone’s favorite edged weapon firm, Carl Eickhorn. As a war time produced dagger, the hilt of this Hirschfanger is manufactured out of aluminum which is covered in beautiful light gilt. The finish has held up nicely for this later period dagger, and still remains strong at 99%. Normally where collectors will see wear on these lighter hilts if they are not taken care of properly, the hardware on this cutlass is in extremely nice shape. The same condition can be said for the grip plates, which have been expertly trimmed and fit to spine of this hilt. 3 toned decorative acorns are tight to the plates, and remain firmly embedded on each side. An excellent looking hilt on this Eickhorn produced Senior Forestry cutlass.
The scabbard to this edged weapon remains in decent condition with regards to the leather sheath. While it does show some normal scuffing and light age, the grain is still firmly stitched down the middle of the reverse side.Typical for these war time manufactured scabbards, the fittings are stamped out of solid brass and then stapled to the the sheath. The lower fitting does show some misshaping and creases for the time that it was carried during the period. In light of that, it remain properly in place. While the upper fitting decent condition, it basically shows age due to where the hanger rode on it. A decorative acorn lug completes it’s design.
As for the blade, it’s a beauty! Perfectly straight, void of any sharpening, tipping, pits or other challenges, this blade tapers down and finished off just like you want to see them. There are some very minor surface specks on both sides of the riccasso, typical of where the wood runners rested and held the blade firm in the scabbard. Other than that, it’s about as nice as you are going to see on one of these forestry’s. The extremely dark burnished triple etched floral and hunting scenes are absolutely gorgeous! After all that’s what these Hirschfangers are all about, those beautiful acid etched blades. On the reverse is the stamped Eickhorn squirrel trademark that you want to see with these 3rd Reich produced hunting and forestry daggers, the 1935-41 logo. A stunning blade completes this senior forestry dagger.
Look around, as you are not apt to find a Senior Forestry cutlass in this condition……..