Antique sword

[Jennifer]

I recieved this fine piece for my birthday, and need some help identifing it. Only marks on the blade i can fine are what seem to be two squirrels back to back with CE underneath them. Many thanks to all of ye for your help.

http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421442969/0.jpg

http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421442969/1.jpg

http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421442969/2.jpg

http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/421442969/3.jpg

[the Royaliste]

Imperial German I believe(just before or during wwI,), Might be wwII www.oldswords.com will have the makers mark listed.

[Wartooth]

Royaliste is probably right. However, my instincts are telling me it's Prussian or Polish. Nearly impossible to tell without actually handling it and examining the marks, though.

Wartooth

[Jennifer]

well it seems both of ye are correct..i posted on swordforum.com and there i was told i had a "cavalry officers' sword of the German Empire made by Carl Eickhorn in Solingen (Prussia)."

fancy that

[redhand]

Jen-

I concure with Gary & War Tooth, as the the Germanic

origins, especially Prussia. The squirrel "marks" sounded familier.

We have a couple of these in our home and they date from the

late 1870 period to the 1890s. which is probably where your blade

falls in...mid to late 1890's. Nice piece anyway.

Cheers

Redhand

[Deacon Frye]

Not as fearsome as the infamous running wolf perhaps, but those cute little Eichhörnchens can put up an impressive front when need be:

http://www.superkwax.de/bilder/Funbilder/funbilder1.htm

[El Pirata]

LMAO!!!!!!

[Longarm]

Jennifer nice birthday present congrates. Who gave it to you if I might ask? And if they give those kinds of presents do they need another friend and or relative perhaps?

[Iron Bess]

Not as fearsome as the infamous running wolf perhaps, but those cute little Eichhörnchens can put up an impressive front when need be:

http://www.superkwax.de/bilder/Funbilder/funbilder1.htm

Oh Look.

Michael Eisner.

(The lower adornments)

[Jennifer]

Longarm, my grandparents actually gave me the beauty...

And to all...how would you go about cleaning the hilt? It's gilded brass...

Thanks!

[endkaos]

[Oh Look.

Michael Eisner.

(The lower adornments)

Iron Bess, Lass...you be wrong. Eisner doesn't have any of THOSE..he just be the POKER (insert other appropriate word here).

[darkthing]

And to all...how would you go about cleaning the hilt? It's gilded brass...

Thanks!

Gilded brass is probably best cleaned as little as possible, 'cause the gilding will rub off if it's polished too much. I'm guessin' from the fine pictures that much of the gilding is already gone, and mostly remains in the crevices. I think it looks rather nice as it is, with an age patina on the brass.