Help needed please

[JohnW]

Hello everyone hope you’re all well.
I would appreciate your comments on the attached photos. I’m led to believe it’s a WWI German sword.
It has no maker’s mark.
Do you think it’s authentic?
The guard folds as shown in one of the photos, is this normal?
Any information on what it is or who may have made it and when etc. would be gratefully received.
Thank you
John

[George Wheeler]

John,

You have an original WWI period German Infantry Officer Sword. This is the Imperial Prussian Infantry Offizier Degen (IOD). Some were made with a folding guard like yours while some had a fixed guard with the Prussian eagle on it. It looks like a nice clean example. Perhaps others might comment on it as well.

[JohnW]

Thank you George much appreciated.

[Dale Martin]

John: Private purchase sword. Folding guard authorized after 1910, so this most likely a WW 1 weapon.

Dale

[JohnW]

Thank you Dale, great you can actually date the sword to after 1910. Impressive knowledge. I’m beginning to like the sword even more!
Many thanks again.

[Dale Martin]

John: I bought a book from Germany a few years ago dealing with this weapon. It stated that the folding guard was approved for purchase in 1904, a slightly different version, your version was approved in 1910. This gives one a timespan to estimate from. Your sword is not brass or tomback metal with gold, it is steel with gold, so it has to be after 1914 and before 1918...

Dale

[JohnW]

Thanks again Dale, brilliant. That’s really good to know. As you said probably bought for the war.
Fantastic information..
Regards
John

[Dale Martin]

John and Fellows: This is the book to which I referred above. It is "Auf Deutsch" of course. The cover, the 1904 model and the 1910 model.

Dale

[JohnW]

Thanks again Dale. Regards. John