Sword for an Officer of the 8th Cuirassiers 'Graf Gessler', Cavalry Charge Etched

A very good example of a 19th century Imperial German sword for an officer or NCO, having the blade etched with a very impressive scene of a cavalry charge. The blade is in top condition and very shiny, and thus was relatively difficult to capture on camera.

The sword is marked 'Regt Graf Geßler (Rhein.) No 8' for the 8th (Rhenish) Cuirassiers "Count Geßler". They were a heavy cavalry regiment of the Royal Prussian Army.

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, the regiment participated in the encirclement and siege of Metz and the dispersal of the French Northern Army. It returned to Deutz on June 30, 1871.