WWII NAZI GERMAN EM/NCO SWORD BY ALCOSO WW2

(Säbel) Roughly, 31 inch long slightly curved steel construction blade. Blade is in excellent condition. The saber has brass hilt fittings with a "P" knuckle bow. Original grip wire is still present with some damage. Maker marked to Alcoso. Scabbard complete and in nice condition but needs to be cleaned. Very Good. The Sword/Saber is an age old military tradition, that evolved from a functional weapon into an item of uniform dress ornamentation by the start of WWI. This strong tradition continues in many armies to this day as a symbol of strength and power. After Hitler’s rise to power in January 1933 and the reintroduction of conscription in March 1935 a wide variety of new sword and saber designs were introduced to outfit the rapidly growing Wehrmacht. This revival in sword/saber production resulted in the numerous blade manufacturers, mainly located in Solingen, to develop a wide variety of ornate designs in an attempt to compete for the lucrative manufacturing contracts which resulted in over one hundred different patterns of the army sword/saber being produced during the Third Reich era. Dress regulations for Officers and senior NCO’s prescribed wear of side arms as a component of particular forms of dress. As a result of the war situation production of the swords and sabers was to be discontinued as per regulations of May 27TH 1943, although those already issued could still be worn on ceremonial occasions. Additional regulations of December 23RD 1944 indicated that all officers ranks were to wear a pistol in place of the sword/saber or the dress dagger.