WWI IMPERIAL GERMAN MAGNIFICENT GROSSE DEGEN SWORD

This is the very-large-grip presentation sword and it is a great one! It's a model 1889 with the stationary grip guard, but at that point it differs from the ordinary '89 in that it is definitely the deluxe presentation grade with floral-pattern decoration in brass and raised mode all over the guard and pommel. Even the grip-end roundel is magnificently decorated with elaborate floral chasing. The blade, ¼ gilted, is also with fine, raised-floral design on both sides. The sword was presented form one Imperial Army officer to another and this presentation read in bold, raised letters: "Jordan s./l. Stifft," "s./l." standing for Seinen Leben (to my dear). The rest of the blade is brilliant and bright and triple grooved. On top of the edge (opposite the cutting edge) the sword's provider is shown, also in fine, raised letters: "M. Neumann Hoflieferant Berlin." "Hoflieferant" means that this supplier was a provider to the Royal Prussian Palace and was granted the honor of using this title on his grand offerings. The grip is of ray skin and is in fine condition as is the entire sword. The overall length in the scabbard is 41 inches. This was a very costly gift even in its day (probably the 1890's). Excellent