This South German, probably Bavarian, hunting trousse dates to the mid-18th century, and is bedecked in sterling silver, all parts of the furniture decorated en suite. The 61 cm-long, massive blade of the hunting sword / jagdschwert is engraved, gold-washed on three sides, and is inscribed with a short rhyme -
Das Jagen
Ist Ein
altes Recht
es gehört
für den Adel
und Sein
geschlecht
Freely translated from the old German, and rhymed by yours truly -
'The hunt is an old right,
Meant only for the nobles
And their kind'.
The message of the poem is amplified by the superior quality of the hilt and the mounts of the scabbard. Both the hilt and the chape bear silver hallmarks. The blade of the paring knife / beimesser is struck with a maker's mark. The leather cover of the scabbard is a later replacement, expertly-done.
A superb, museum quality set!