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SWORD BASICS
Swords have been used as weapons from the early days of warfare. Through time, swords have evolved to be
more than a weapon to be a sign of status. The construction of these items has become very elaborate and
they can be used as accutrements to enhance the apperance of the uniforms.
Swords can also be used as a symbol of bestowing knighthood to an individual. Another use is at the end of
a wedding, where the couple will walk under a "tunnel" of swords.
The symbology of swords remains very active even today. In present day Iraq, they are employed as a symbol
of victory when a large monument depicting two crossed swords is used as a gateway into the city.
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The sample featured here is a German WWI sword.
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In the military, swords were traditionally worn by officers. Although in some cases enlisted men can also
wear them. The cost of purchasing the sword is usually the responsibility of the soldier. That is why there
can be variances between the ornamentation level of same swords. For example, some blades will have very intricate
edgings on the blade, while others have none.
The blade of the sword is usually marked at the base of the blade. Information placed in the marking can include
the name of the manufacturer, the city in which the blade was made, the date, the country of origin, etc.
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The sample illustrated here shows the name of the manufacturer "Carl Eichorn". The symbol of the maker
(The squirrel) and the name of the town, Solingen.
Both, Eichorn and Solingen are markings commonly found in German blades.
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Swords are attached to the uniform in different ways. The Samurai warriors would simply slide it in between the
front of their belt. The European countries deviced more intricate hanging devices. By far the most intricate
way in which to hang swords and daggers were deviced by the Germans in WWII.
The picture below depicts one of the most common mechanisms employed to hang a dress sword.
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