Measuring 38 1/4 inches overall with a 32 inch straight double fuller blade, with "ED.SCHULTZE HOFLIEFERANT POTSDAM" etched on the spine. A 6 inch etched panel is present on each side of the long ricasso, with "Zur Erinnerung/an die Zeit vom 15.12.1881-17.6.1897." (In Memory of the time from December 15, 1881 to June 17, 1897) on the left panel and "Seinem Scheidenden Kameraden/Oberstlieutenant(sic) von Holtzendorff/das Offizier-Corps des 2. Thuringischen/Infantrerie-Regiments No 32" (From His Distinguished Comrades, Lieutenant Colonel von Holtzendorff, the Officer Corps of 2 Thuringien Infantry Regiment Number 32) on the right. The listed regiment was organized in Thuringia in 1866 as part of the 22nd Division of the Prussian Army, seeing combat in the Franco-Prussian War (engaged at Sedan, Le Mans and the Siege of Paris) and World War I (on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, engaged in the Spring Offensive, Second Somme and Second Marne). According to an assortment of correspondence from a previous owner (photocopies included, mostly in German) "von Holtzendorff" is Alfred von Holtzendorff, born February 15 1851 in Pasewalk, and died January 21, 1899 in Kassel, survived by a wife and two sons. The hilt is gilt brass with raised scroll decoration, a one-sided Imperial Eagle on the pierced-through guard, a wire wrapped sharkskin grip, and a Phrygian pommel with flat cap. With a nickel finished steel scabbard fitted with a symmetrical drag and dual suspension rings.

Excellent. A small ding is present at the tip of the otherwise excellent blade. The pommel stands off a bit from the grip and there are some light handling marks overall. The scabbard is excellent with some light scuffing and finish loss on the bottom of the drag.