Dutch M 1961 ceremonial Municipal Police Chief Officers trials sword by J. W. HOUFER- SCHIEDAM. Design of Frans Smits. (JP103-179 etc.)
"Nederlands ceremonieel Gemeentepolitie Officiers proefsabel M 1961 " / Dutch ceremonial Municipal Police Chief Officer's trials sword M 1961. Superb bright finished slightly curved fullered blade. Dutch retailers name and residence on the ricasso: J.W. HOUFER- SCHIEDAM. and the German makers trademark of E. & F. HÖRSTER- SOLINGEN on the reverse side. Intact leather washer. Beautiful "English style" very thin blued and only on the outside of the open hand guard, detachable Berlin-Silver hilt. Back of the hilt is checkered. The Dutch Municipal Police emblem, showing the book of law and a short sword surrounded by a laurel wrath over a six point bursting star is implemented in the hand guard. Guard with a short forward swept quillon with a round finial. The hilt has a straight grip, is covered with ray skin and has an intact twisted triple silver wire winding. Pommel with a nut. A slit for a sword knot is present in the top of the hand guard.
Bright polished steel scabbard with two screwed on Berlin-Silver bands with loose hanging rings and a screwed on Berlin-Silver drag. Top mount with a small 66 marking. No dents to the scabbard.
Total length: 95 cm. Width, at the ricasso: 2,0 cm
The sword is near MINT
This is an extremely rare ceremonial Municipal Police Chief Officer's trials sword. It is a unique design of the Dutch military artist: J. F. H. Th. (Frans) Smits in 1961, and produced in a very limited number only at E. & F. HÖRSTER in Solingen.
In his Excellent reference booklet "Blanke Wapens" the author J. P. Puipe stated this sword was never official adopted, thus making this model a very rare trials sword!
Note: Mr. J. F. H. Th. Smits ( 1915 - 2006) was also the designer of the Dutch M 1964 Royal Dutch Air Force officers dirk, The M 1955 Royal Dutch Air Force officers sword and the M 1966 State Police Chief officers sword.
For reference also see Book: "Politiebewapening" by V.M. Cozijn and M. J. Slootweg. Page: 500-1 (See last pict.)
