Dutch Mastersword M 1896 "Special order model" by WK&Co.(JP86-139)

Nederlands M 1896 Model No. 1 "Buiten model" Meesterdegen. "Degen meester op een der drie wapenen, zijnde geweer sabel en /of degen.”/Dutch M 1896 Model No.1 "Special order"Mastersword.
Excellent long straight double edged bright polished plane blade with a very weak "rolled on" etching. The blade shows a few light stains only. German makers trademark: Kings head and Knight helmet over W.K.& C. (= Weyersberg & Kirschbaum- Solingen on the ricasso. (Trademark used from 1888 -1918).
Excellent gilt brass lion head pommel and a single hand guard. Gilt brass crossguard with a straight quillon with an acorn final. Gilt brass clamshell with a silver emblem laid over a red felt showing a shield with two crossed fencing swords above a thick laurel wreath. Dark brown horn grip. No wire winding.
Excellent black leather scabbard with tooling and a brass chape and a top mount with one loose hanging ring and a round frog stud. All stitches intact with a single small nick only and no dents to the mounts.
Comes with its Excellent and correct red wool sword knot. 

The privately purchased Dutch M 1896 Master sword was carried by Officers, NCO's and troopers only, who became a proofed Master in using a foil, a sword or a rifle.  
This example is a "Special order"sword. More rich than a standard model sword.

This elegant sword was very popular at the Dutch Royal Military Academy (KMA) in Breda and till 1914 also by NCO's of the Jaeger and Grenadier Regiments.
Present day, at the KMA the old tradition of becoming a master is back again, and an aspirant officer gets his master sword after becoming a master on one of the three weapons: Rifle, sword or spadroon. These antique swords come out of the inventory of the Academy and stay property of the Academy. When the young officer leaves the Academy he is not allowed the keep the sword anymore as it was in the old days.
Very nice example!

Length: 95 cm. Width: 1,7 cm.