Gents,

 

The German Police (Polizei) used long swords and short swords as well as shorter bayonet/dagger sized sidearms (Seitengewehre) during the time of the Weimar Republic into the National Socialist times (NS Zeit). During the course of the evolution of the Polizei from State and Local law enforcement forces the police reworked and re-issued their edged weapons until they were nationalized in 1936 and introduced new edged weapons around 1938. Around 1938 the police designated a new straight Polizei-Degen and reworked thousands of Prussian Police bayonets for distribution to all nationalized police forces replacing those existing sidearms issued by the various states such as Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, etc. While collectors are generally familiar with the reworked Prussian Police sidearms those of other state jurisdictions are less well known.

 

These edged weapons shown are Bavarian Polizei Seitengewehre that were issued to the small town Kommunalpolizei in Bavaria. The official modifications entailed cutting down existing Bavarian Police short swords into shorter sidearms that are about the same length as the cut down Prussian Police bayonets with stag grips and the 1936 Polizei grip eagle. These Bavarian cut-downs have the black leather scabbards cut down to match the new blade length of the shortened blade. They also have the solid D guard cut off at the pommel and a section removed to make a re-curve guard that looks more bayonet like (Seitengewehr). The two examples shown consist of a sidearm with a thick guard and one with a thinner guard.

 

These NS Zeit Kommunalpolizei Seitengewehre are quite hard to find today.

 

 

More close up pictures.

 

This particular sidearm is property marked to the Munich Police as the clothing distribution point and has matching serial numbers on the blade and the bottom scabbard fitting.

Here are a couple of photos of the modified Prussian Police bayonets most collectors are familiar with. These both started out life as private purchase short KS98 style Polizei Seitengewehre made by Eickhorn. The unaltered Weimar Republic period sidearm has the Prussian Police grip insignia of an eagle within a star and a clamshell guard with an eagle motif. The altered sidearm has the Prussian grip insignia replaced with the post 1936 Nationalized Police eagle. This officially modified bayonet has also had the clamshell guard removed by grinding it away leaving the collar visible between the guard and the blade.

 

These same modifications were made to the larger issue Seitengewehre which were shortened as well. These modifications were carried out by German Police Armorers or by contract with German edged weapon manufacturers.

 

These Prussian Police bayonets made it into my book, "Seitengewehr; History of the German Bayonet 1919-1945" but I did not have examples of the Bavarian sidearms so they were left out of the book.

 

I hope these modified Polizei edged weapons are of interest.

 

 

SARGE

 

Great information ! Thank you for the posting, so much more to learn.

 

Tony

Thanks Tony. I am glad you are enjoying the information.

 

Here are a few more close up shots of the very careful German Police Armorer work done to alter these Bavarian short swords into Kommunalpolizei Seitengewehre. Quite unlike the "Bubba" style work seen on home made cut downs and broken swords made into GI knives.

 

This one is the sidearm with the narrow guard.

 

 

Here are some pix of the modified Saxon Polizei Seitengewehre. The Saxon Police wore both long swords and short swords depending upon your rank and assignment. They too were frugal Germans and believed in the waste not - want not theory so they modernized their short swords that were worn during Imperial and Weimar Republic times. They actually continued to wear their swords into early NS times but at some point they modified them like their Prussian and Bavarian cousins.

 

 

SARGE

 

I can not thank you enough for the information, I have learned so much. Your time and efforts are well appreciated.

 

Tony

You are welcome Tony.

 

As a bonus here are a couple of photos of a Saxon Police short sword from the NS Zeit. This one was manufactured by Eickhorn circa 1938 judging by the large squirrel holding sword logo. So, they were shortening some of these old short swords up until the new nationalized police edged weapons were introduced and being made. It is interesting to see how these German Police departments never threw anything away and worked on the low bid system.

 

Also, here is one of a series of police instructional photos showing the short sword in wear. This comes from a Saxon Police procedure manual from the 1920s that is in my collection.

 

 

SARGE

 

Great pictures and information. So much to learn! Thank you

 

Tony

Great Police items George.Thanks for posting

I have a no maker mark Police short sword with the D guard handle. The scabbard is all black metal with chrome fittings instead of leather. The only marks are a 1 on the spine of the blade, and 1 on the throat of the scabbard. What it the significance of the number 1? Is it common to have no maker marks? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Dave