SARGE Posted May 24, 2020 Share #1 Posted May 24, 2020 Gents, Here is a set of matching sword candlesticks. These candlesticks were made up from original existing NOS (new old stock) parts during the Allied occupation in order to generate a little money or trade material for cigarettes or food. Since these were constructed from available existing parts they are sometimes "Frankenstein" swords and daggers that are still recognizable as German Army, Navy, Air Force, etc. edged weapons. This pair of candlesticks were made up as generic Wehrmacht swords. Newly unemployed sword makers started making these the day after the surrender was signed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRA227 Posted May 24, 2020 Share #2 Posted May 24, 2020 Those are nice. I have 2 blades,scabbards and cloth cases. No hilts. Rich A. in Pa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted May 24, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted May 24, 2020 This pair of candlesticks were made with parts of several different models of WKC swords. A backstrap from one model and a guard from another. A generic grip and some new unused and unwanted Luftwaffe grip wire. These things become collectable in their own right and I bet some of our members have similar pieces in their own collections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted May 25, 2020 Share #4 Posted May 25, 2020 Something you don't see very often, nice addition to any collection ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted May 26, 2020 Share #5 Posted May 26, 2020 These are really cool! Thanks for sharing! I suppose this is a different take on the idea of being able to turn any item in to a lamp! Was this something only done in Germany, or did other countries do this, as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted May 27, 2020 Good question Elizabeth. I have seen the various electric lamps made out of decommissioned British muskets and WWI German helmets, etc. This is the same idea of making now unwanted military surplus into bric-a-brack. Two US surplus dealers did this quite extensively. Floyd Stokes-Kirk and Francis Bannerman made various candelabra out of unwanted edged weapons and angular bayonets and sold them in their catalogs and storefronts. Here is an example of a single candle wall sconce made from surplus US Civil War angular bayonets. Never let anything go to waste if there is a niche market for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted May 28, 2020 Share #7 Posted May 28, 2020 Neat items! I guess candlesticks make more sense than lamps at this particular time in Germany. An old timer I knew that recently passed away was in the occupation and said it was quite a victory in the late 40s when German households in Berlin were supplied with electricity for 1 hour a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now