Hello Ken In spite of the French text, the inscription is typical for Prussian arms. Especially on so called "Hirschfänger", short swords for hunters, and for military units called "Jäger" (light infantry) and in that case mostly Garde-Jäger (Guards). The arms I know with the motto Vive le roi (roy) et ses (les) chasseurs (Long live the King and his hunters)have a hilt with a birds-head, but lion heads will also be possible, I think. If you want some pictures, please mail me, giving your mailadress Regards Ger
I am trying to research a sword that my father brought back from the war. Its pictured on your home page. The sword is at 4 o'clock on the home page, the one with the lions head. Can you tell me... more
Hi Ken These "Hirschfänger" have a long tradition. The first one with Vive le Roy et ses Chasseurs I could find was from the time of King Frederick the Great of Prussia (ap. 1760 made at Potzdam) up... more