THEODOR OSTERKAMP''S OFFICER'S SWORD

THEODOR OSTERKAMP''S OFFICER'S SWORD
THEODOR "THEO" OSTERKAMP (1892 - 1975) German flying ace and Knight's Cross Recipient during World War I and World War II. One of only a few men to score victories in both world wars, achieving 32 victories in World War I and claiming a further 6 victories while leading Jagdgeschwader 51 through the Battle of Britain. A rare find, a German naval officer's sword with scabbard and portepee, owned by German ace THEODOR OSTERKAMP. The piece, 31.25 in. blade, 36.25 in. overall, features a nickel-plated steel blade, which bears some light surface corrosion at spots, yet generally remains very bright and clean. The blade's ricasso is maker marked "E. & F. Horster & Company, Solingen". The white wire-bound grips bear very small cracks towards the pommel, yet the wire generally remains tight. The handle bears an ornate gilt brass lion's head hilt with a folding anchor guard and hinged scabbard hasp, and the black leather scabbard bears brass fittings and two brass carrying rings. Sword and scabbard both bear matching numbers, "0.2148", and one of the brass fittings on the scabbard bears the numbers "53" and "173". The interior of the anchor-bearing handguard bears the ownership engraving "Th. Osterkamp", clearly legible, yet with a light surface scratch running laterally through it at one point. The leather scabbard remains in very good condition, save for some light cracking to the leather and minor bumps and slightly loose bottom fitting, and the portapee, present and still sturdy, bears some significant fraying to the exterior threads. Red glass eyes on the pommel unfortunately absent. Overall, a great condition example, and in much better condition than is typically seen! Originally rejected for service due to his "slight build", Osterkamp instead enlisted in the Marinefliegerkorps in August 1914 and flew with the 2. Marine-Fliegerabteilung in Flanders. In this role, he became the first German pilot to fly a land-based aircraft to England on a reconnaissance-mission. Osterkamp claimed his first (but unconfirmed) kill on September 6, 1916 as an observer to pilot Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Mattheus in a LVG C.II two-seater aircraft. In March 1917, he joined the "Kampffliegerschule" ("Combat pilot school") in Putzig, then on March 21st, 1917, Leutnant Osterkamp took command of Marine Feld Jagdstaffel 2, where he likely received this sword.