Established in 1701 by Friedrich I, King of Prussia, the Order of the Black Eagle was the premier knightly order in Prussia and Unified Germany, active from it's founding through the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Primarily issued to German nobility for civic and military duty, foreign royals also were inducted, including 2 Japanese emperors, Louis XVIII and Napoleon Bonaparte. Though the Order ended with the Kaiser, the post-World War II Feldjaeger (military police) would later take up their emblem. Blade measures 32" (37 1/2" overall), with a rounded spine, flared tip, and etching on the lower half of the blade, showing scroll, vine and martial designs on the left side, "DEUTSCHER OFFIZER VEREIN BERLIN" (German Officers Union, a military accoutrement supply house) on the spine and oak leaf designs on the right, surrounding a series of 24 German surnames in banners. The hilt is gold washed, with a raised shield design on the left languet and the star of the Order on the right, 8-pointed with a white and black enamel eagle in the center with the legend "SUUM CUIQUE" (to each their own -or- everyone gets what they deserve). Raised oak leaf and scroll engraving on the remainder of the hilt, with a lion's head on the rear quillion and a lions head pommel with red and green stone eyes. Wire wrapped rayskin grip. With a black enamel finished metal sheath.

Excellent, with some light handling marks overall, mild spotting on the blade, and a fine aged patina visible on the exposed brass. Hilt is slightly loose, with minimal material loss on the rayskin. Sheath is excellent, with some mild flaking.