Here is a neat item I picked up recently -- It had been hanging around a militaria dealer's back room for years. It is from one of the German fencing societies I suppose. It has an inscription so I assume it was a presentation piece from a competition or something of that nature. It was made by Alcoso. The incription reads (I think)

11-9-78
Hasso-Sassovia
su Nieburg Flr
Hassin su Giessen

Anybody ever see these inscribed like this?

Looks very much like a Korbschläger to me.

Quite like this one on this wonderful old postcard:

[ Linked Image ]

http://fencingclassics.wordpress.com/2009/01/.../#more-757

The image is property of J. Christoph Amberger, the blog owner, and he might most probably help you finding out more about your Schläger (literally: Beater).

It looks like "rapier" often used by some student organisations as a ritual weapon and also as a fencing weapon for settling disputes (no longer than a few years ago two members of those groups in Germany ended up in hospital over a political disagreement that ended with both of them fightng in duel).

Yes, that's a Schlaeger. To be more precise, it's a practice Schlaeger, not one used for sharp fencing (also obvious from the blade which is not sharpened).

From the picture, I think the name of the fraternity is Hasso-Nassovia. Ther are two fraternities with that name still active in Germany. One is a Corps and the other one is a catholic one.

Since this is a pratice weapon, it most probably used to belong to a member of Corps Hasso-Nassovia in Marburg. Catholic fraternities do not fence.

Nice one, it's pretty old as well. You don't see many old practice Schlaeger because they get beaten pretty fast. Looks pretty much like the ones I used.

Edit: do you have more pictures of the inscription?

Hi. Thanks for all your replies -- I'll try and take a couple of better pictures of the inscription when the sun comes out

Dennis

Hi these are about as good as I could get of the inscription

Read more about Mensurfechten here:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensur_%28Studentenverbindung%29

Allright, the inscription reads:

Hasso-Nassovia zu Marburg i/l Hassia zu Giessen

i/l is an abbreviation for "ihrer lieben" which translates (in this context) as "to its esteemed"

Hassia Giessen is also a German Corps.

So, this makes it a Schlaeger, given and dedicated to the Corps Hassia Giessen by the Corps Hasso-Nassovia Marburg.

Such presents are not unusal and can be given for several reasons. E.g. as a present when doing a visit or as a thank you for something.

Since this is a practice weapon it could be a thank you for doing something related to fencing (maybe providing a second of fencing equipment). Quite often, those inscriptions also include the reason for the gift. Is there an inscription on the inside maybe?

Here's a link to the English article about Mensur fensing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensur