Prussian Model 1845 Heavy Cavalry Saber by Schnitzler & Kirschbaum

This is an impressive saber, very close in design to the US Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber and the French Model 1822 that measures 41 1/2" overall, with a 35 3/4" curved, single-edged blade with narrow and wide fullers.  The blade has an overall dull pewter gray patina with scattered spots of dark freckling throughout on both faces.  The back edge of the blade is property marked near the  hilt: "(Crown) / FW / 47 / (Crown) / G"; and a maker’s mark is present on the ricasso, "S&K" (Schnitzler & Kirschbaum, Solingen).  The brass hilt has an overall dark ochre patina throughout, with some scattered small handling marks.  The leather grip is in very good condition with an intact braided wire wrap.  The steel scabbard has an overall freckled brown patina with some small and moderate dents along the body running from the drag up to the lower hanger ring.  The collar at the throat is missing as well, but the saber still fits in the scabbard quite well.  This is a very good example of a pre-Franco-Prussian War German cavalry saber overall.