Boxer Rebellion Chinese Sword brought home from China by Captain Herbert Jay Hirshinger U.S.M.C.

[kanemono]

Here is a Imperial German Model 1889 sword and scabbard made for the Chinese government. The hilt has a half basket steel guard with a Chinese dragon as the cartouche badge. The grip is brown bakelite held to the tang by two steel rivets and has an oval steel pommel. The blade is a single edge, pipe back with a double edge spear point. The ricasso is stamped with E&F.HORSTER SOLINGEN . The steel scabbard is plain and had two fixed rings on  bands. This sword was brought home from China by Captain Herbert Jay Hirshinger. Hirshinger who was commissioned Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, on January 11, 1900. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on July, 23, 1900. Hirshinger was ordered to China as part of the China Relief Expedition and was on duty in China from August 22, 1900 to October 9, 1900. Lieutenant Hirshinger wrote an eight page, typed, single spaced, illustrated, letter to his father describing his experiences in Pekin, China. Hirshinger was promoted to Captain on December 7, 1903. He then served two tours of duty in the Philippines and at various posts in the United States and as commander of the Marine Guard on various United States Warships. He participated in the expedition to Panama in 1903-1905. Hirshinger then served with the Army of Cuban Pacification from June of 1907 to December of 1908. Captain Hirshinger was assigned to command the Marine Detachment on the U.S.S. Rhode Island on November 26, 1915. The Marine Detachment was temporarily assigned to foreign shore service in Santo Domingo. They sailed on the scout cruiser U.S.S. Salem for Santo Domingo on May 1, 1915. They transferred to the U.S.S. Sacramento and sailed to Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo on May 26, 1916. Captain Hirshinger landed with his Marine Detachment under fire from the rebel forces at Puerto Plata at 6:40 am on the morning of May 31, 1916. He was shot through the head by a sniper as he was disembarking the landing boat. He died at Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo on June 1, 1916. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. This sword, the Marine officer's sword and a German made Chinese belt buckle all came from the same estate.

[kanemono]

Captain Herbert Jay Hirshinger's letter to his father can be found on the Marine Corps website.

[kanemono]

Here is the German made belt buckle>

[devildog34]

This is on another level.  Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!  What a treasured piece to have in your collection.

[6th.MG.BN]

Great pieces. I always loved those German made buckles and swords.

Thanks for posting.

Ken

[Salvage Sailor]

Dragon Slayer

[kanemono]

Here is a Boxer Rebellion period studio photograph of a Chinese soldier holding one of these swords.

[kanemono]

Many Marines, soldiers and sailors from many of the countries involved brought these items home after they captured the East Arsenal.

[trenchbuff]

Beautiful pieces.  Impressive as always Kanemono!

[kanemono]

Dirk messaged me and he thinks, and I agree, The soldier holding the sword is Russian.

[Salvage Sailor]

6 hours ago, kanemono said:

Dirk messaged me and he thinks, and I agree, The soldier holding the sword is Russian.

 +2