#2 • A Scarce German Boar-Sword Formerly the Property of a Germanic Margrave

Part of Arms, Armor and The Early West (live auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

High bid $5,500.00

Status: Sold

38.25" blade, hollowed ground on both sides with rounded edge. A rectangular shaped hole is pierced at the beginning of the spear point shaped blade for a removable bar (missing). The last 13" coming to a sharp point. Iron "S" shaped guard, wooden grip covered in blackened leather, fluted pommel. Marked on the spearpoint section "EMM z BvH", and on the reverse "EMM [crown]/shield BvH". The markings are those of Frederick VII "Magnus", Margrave of Braden-Durlach (1647-1709), who succeeded his father Frederick VI in 1677, and held the title of Margrave of Basel from 1697 until his death.  Fredrick VII, was a descendant of the medieval house of Zahringen and had a distinguished military record, serving the Holy Roman Empire in the War of the Spanish Succession. The Margrave's formal title was Fredrick Magnus, Markgraf von (of) Baden-Durlach.  The blades' inscription, FMM z BvH, reads "Fredrich Magnus, Markgraf zu (at) Baden und Hachberg”. Hachberg was within Baden since the Middle Ages and the castle which was also know as Hochberg or “High Mountain". **Condition of the sword is fine overall and blade with minor corrosion pits and is lightly cleaned in the European manner. Boar swords or "Sowdegen", seem to be unique to 17th century Germany, and are  highly desirable.** $4,000-$6,000