Auction: January 22, 2023

Lot #349: World War II German Lt. General Erwin Rauch's Captured Army Lion Head Sword and Scabbard

Having 31-inch unmarked blade, gilt brass-clad aluminum hilt retaining leather buffer pad, Wehrmacht eagle on langet, florals on guard and above wire-wrapped grip with lion / panther head pommel having faceted red stone eye and black matte finish scabbard; including framed, signed and dated certificate from renowned militaria authority Thomas Wittmann detailing (the War Order of the German Cross in Gold and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross- recipient) German Lt. Gen. v. Rauch's capture and immediate acquisition of Rauch's sword by US Gen. Morton Jones, subsequent transfer of sword to son of Gen. Jones, USMC Maj. William Jones and consignment of sword by Maj. W. Jones to Wittmann in 2011 as well as numerous other pieces of documentation including copy of first-hand account of engagement and subsequent events written in Gen. Jones' own hand, media accounts of related events from the era, biographical information on Gen. Jones; together with black fabric sword storage and carry bag having Wittmann logo