Measuring 39 inches in overall length, this highly impressive sword is fitted with a 32 7/8 inch single edged double fuller blade, showing a fine damascus pattern on the upper half and panels of niter blue flanked by gold washed scroll etching on the lower half, with the WKC Solingen address on the left ricasso, "EISENHAUER/DAMAST-STAHL" (Iron hewer, Damascus steel) on the left side, and "DEUTSCHER/OFFIZIER VEREIN/BERLIN" on the right ricasso. The right side bears the gold-washed, niter blue backed presentation "Seinem scheidenden Kameraden Oberstlieutenant Herrlich/das Offiziercorps des Infanterie Regiments von der Goltz 1890" (to our retiring comrade, Lieutenant Colonel Herrlich, from the officer corps of the Infantry Regiments "von der Goltz" 1890). No solid identification has been made of Oberstlieutanant Herrlich, or which Goltz regiment he was a member of; Prussia was host to a number of prominent officers bearing the title "von der Goltz", such as Max, a Kaiserliche Marine Admiral and chief of the Naval High Command, August Friedrich, first appointed foreign minister of Prussia, and Colmar, aka "Goltz Pasha", noted author and spiritual forefather of the "Young Turk Revolution" in the Ottoman Empire. The hilt is gold washed brass, with "RW/II" ciphers on the guard and grip, a 3-branch guard with sculpted Imperial Eagle, and a phrygian cap pommel topped with a "MH" monogram. With a steel scabbard.

Fine. The very fine blade shows a well-defined Damascus pattern, with mild spotting, some wear concentrated towards the tip, and strong gilt and blued decoration. The scabbard washer and finger loop have been installed reversed, with the loop damaged. The hilt is fine, with a well aged patina on the exposed brass, very strong gilt finish (especially in the protected regions), and some wire absent from the grip. A small amount of play is detectable in the guard, otherwise, the hilt is solid. The scabbard shows heavy polishing towards the drag, along with some flaking, spotting and bubbling of the finish.