A German Dragon, by way of Solingen, Tientsin and Canberra
From the collection of The Australian War Memorial comes this great German-made sword used by the Qi Army in the twilight of Imperial China:
Imperial German Model 1889 sword and scabbard. The grip is brown bakelite held to the tang by two steel rivets and has an oval steel pommel. The blade is a single edge, pipe back with a double edge spear point. The ricasso is stamped with E&F. HORSTER SOLINGEN and there is a leather washer where the blade meets the guard. The steel scabbard is plain with two fixed rings on a band at 50 mm and 150 mm from the throat which is held to the body by two screws. Attached to the lower ring is a chain that is connected to a broken brown leather hanger strap with a brass buckle in the center.
Founded in 1850, Hörster E. & F. Co., Solingen, made military edged weapons through WWII.
The hilt has a half basket steel guard with a Chinese dragon as the cartouche badge.
This sword was brought back from China by a member of the Victorian Naval Contingent in 1900.
Group portrait of Australian Naval Brigade who served in the Boxer Rebellion, 1900-1901