Please help on unit markings on Bavarian? sword

CLIFTON · 05-07-2016, 09:51 AM

Hello,

I recently acquired this sword and understand it belonged to Artilery Regt, but could not translate entire etched name on the blade as well as I could not interpete the unit mark 5.20

Please help

Thanks

DonVoigt · 05-07-2016, 10:53 AM

Well,
it is almost "english" so I'll say;

"Field Artillery Regiment Prinz Regent Luipold von Bayern(Magdeberg) Number 4".
Indicating Prince Luipold was heir to the throne of Bavaria.
Regiment raised in Magdeberg?

I'd say the 5.20 is 5th Company 20th weapon(sword).

Now someone who really reads/speaks German can tell us what it really says/means.

George Anderson · 05-07-2016, 10:58 AM

Don's got it right except that it's 5th Battery not company.

alanint · 05-07-2016, 11:06 AM

Fascinating that they would number individual swords

CLIFTON · 05-07-2016, 11:26 AM

Thank you, gentlemen.

George Anderson · 05-07-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Fascinating that they would number individual swords

What I find interesting is that it is not an "issue" combat sabre but rather a walking-out or dress sabre which were usually private purchase. The marking on the guard indicates that the sabre was the property of the unit.

DonVoigt · 05-07-2016, 02:40 PM

Thanks George, I should have thought battery for the artillery, duh!

Could, maybe the guard was replaced due to damage- with an issue guard?

George Anderson · 05-07-2016, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Could, maybe the guard was replaced due to damage- with an issue guard?

M-52 issue artillery sabres were very heavy, including the guard.

Thosbi · 05-10-2016, 10:58 AM

OK, here from Germany:

Feldartillerie-Regiment Prinzregent Luitpold von Bayern ( Magdeburgisches ) Nr. 4

Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 4 = Field Artillery Regiment Nr.4

Prinzregent Luitpold von Bayern = Prince Regent Luitpold from Bavaria
(* 12. März 1821 in Würzburg; † 12. Dezember 1912 in München)

Magdebg = Magdeburg (Town in Germany)

Ron Wood · 05-10-2016, 11:30 AM

It is a stretch I know, but that 5.20 could also be May 20, possibly a significant date for the owner rather than a unit mark? Given that it is a dress sword rather than a combat sabre and, as such, it would be unusual for it to be unit property I am just throwing the date thing out there for consideration.
Ron

George Anderson · 05-10-2016, 01:18 PM

Ron, you know as well as I that the Germans always write dates with day first then month, etc.

Ron Wood · 05-10-2016, 03:17 PM

George,
"Always" is a term that I try to avoid when it comes to German markings. You are very likely correct the this is not a date...but...I am trying to rationalize a personal purchase with a unit property mark, hence the flight of fantasy...and I did say it was a stretch.

Ron

George Anderson · 05-10-2016, 03:56 PM

I've had model 89 Infantry Officer Swords with unit markings on the guard. I just figured they were company property for senior NCOs.

05-07-2016, 09:51 AM	#1
CLIFTON User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 88 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Please help on unit markings on Bavarian? sword Hello, I recently acquired this sword and understand it belonged to Artilery Regt, but could not translate entire etched name on the blade as well as I could not interpete the unit mark 5.20 Please help Thanks Attached Thumbnails

05-07-2016, 10:53 AM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	Well, it is almost "english" so I'll say; "Field Artillery Regiment Prinz Regent Luipold von Bayern(Magdeberg) Number 4". Indicating Prince Luipold was heir to the throne of Bavaria. Regiment raised in Magdeberg? I'd say the 5.20 is 5th Company 20th weapon(sword). Now someone who really reads/speaks German can tell us what it really says/means. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

05-07-2016, 02:40 PM	#7
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	Thanks George, I should have thought battery for the artillery, duh! Could, maybe the guard was replaced due to damage- with an issue guard? __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

05-10-2016, 11:30 AM	#10
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	It is a stretch I know, but that 5.20 could also be May 20, possibly a significant date for the owner rather than a unit mark? Given that it is a dress sword rather than a combat sabre and, as such, it would be unusual for it to be unit property I am just throwing the date thing out there for consideration. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-10-2016, 03:17 PM	#12
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	George, "Always" is a term that I try to avoid when it comes to German markings. You are very likely correct the this is not a date...but...I am trying to rationalize a personal purchase with a unit property mark, hence the flight of fantasy...and I did say it was a stretch. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-07-2016, 10:58 AM	#3
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Don's got it right except that it's 5th Battery not company.

05-07-2016, 11:06 AM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Fascinating that they would number individual swords

05-07-2016, 11:26 AM	#5
CLIFTON User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 88 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Thank you, gentlemen.

05-10-2016, 10:58 AM	#9
Thosbi User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Germany Posts: 26 Thanks: 81 Thanked 43 Times in 8 Posts	OK, here from Germany: Feldartillerie-Regiment Prinzregent Luitpold von Bayern ( Magdeburgisches ) Nr. 4 Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 4 = Field Artillery Regiment Nr.4 Prinzregent Luitpold von Bayern = Prince Regent Luitpold from Bavaria (* 12. März 1821 in Würzburg; † 12. Dezember 1912 in München) Magdebg = Magdeburg (Town in Germany)

05-10-2016, 01:18 PM	#11
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Ron, you know as well as I that the Germans always write dates with day first then month, etc.

05-10-2016, 03:56 PM	#13
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	I've had model 89 Infantry Officer Swords with unit markings on the guard. I just figured they were company property for senior NCOs.