184 Schießpreis - Ehrensäbel des Ritterkreuztägers Major Walter Kopp, Kommandeur Grenadier Regiment 1077, 542. Volksgrenadier - Division.

 Gold-plated non-ferrous metal hilt with engraved oak leaf decoration. Black plastic grip with wire wrapping.

Genuine Damascus blade with gilt decorative etching. On the obverse (third side) the gold-plated dedication in Fraktur script on a blued background:

"Honour award for outstanding shooting performance 1935 / Lt. Kopp, Pi. Batl. 5".

The maker's mark Eickhorn on the ricasso and the inscription "CARL EICKHORN SOLINGEN" on the back.

With black lacquered iron scabbard with a suspension ring. Complete with bound lanyard.

Minimal traces of corrosion.

Walter Kopp (1913 in Alsenz - 1974 in Gauting) was a lieutenant colonel in the Wehrmacht:

1933: Ensign. 1 July 1938: First Lieutenant. 1 July 1943: Major.
10 March 1945: Lieutenant Colonel with RDA from 1 February 1945.
1940: Chief, 3rd / Pioneer Battalion 5
27 May 1944: Leader Jg.Rgt. 75.
20. 08.1944: Führer Jg.Rgt. 56.
11 Nov. 1944: mdFb Gren.Rgt. 1077, 542nd Volksgrenadier-Division
24.02. 1945: Führer-Reserve OKH.
21.03. 1945: Mldg.Pz.Pi.Ers.Btl. 5.

After the German defeat in 1945, he became head of a stay-behind network in West Germany with the code name KIBITZ-15. The British and US secret services had set up secret anti-communist organisations to "stay behind" in the event of a Soviet invasion. In CIA documents published in June 2006, Walter Kopp was described by his own North American superiors as an "incorrigible Nazi" and the KIBITZ-15 network as "a group with Nazi tendencies".
In May 1945, Kopp wrote a letter to High Commissioner McCloy in which he explained that he and a group of his friends were concerned about what might happen in the event of a Russian invasion of Germany and wanted to make themselves available to the Americans. Walter Kopp was later appointed chief agent of the KIBITZ network.
In May 1953, Kopp's contract with the CIA was cancelled "under the friendliest conditions".
In 1968 he was the liaison officer of the military district command in Munich to the political parties.

A copy of the official, published CIA documents will be handed over to the buyer.



A particularly beautiful honour sabre of the finest quality. As an award to a later Knight's Cross recipient of great rarity.

Length: 108 cm.

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