General August Graf Neidhardt von Gneisenau (1760 - 1831) – the sword of PLM bearer Oberst Heinrich Sigismund von der Heyde and seven letters from Gneisenau/von der HeydeHeavy, double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal section, the eagle struck at the root on the reverse. A silver inlay with the inscription "ME FECIT POTSDAM 1726 / NON SOLI CEDIT 1726" on both sides. Sturdy brass knuckle-bow hilt with symmetrical, kidney-shaped guard plates, bulbous grip with silver and copper wire winding. Octagonal, urn-shaped pommel, sparingly embellished with acanthus. With noticeable signs of wear and cleaning on account of its long period of use. Rounded edges, minor dents in the hilt and somewhat rounded point. Length 99.6 cm. Including a letter from Gneisenau to Major von der Heyde, dated 16 January 1824, which reads as follows (tr.) "From Hauptmann von der Heyde, who fell at the Battle of Brienne, I have been honoured with the sword that was wielded with such glory by Oberst von der Heyde. I am currently in possession of it but wish it to be returned to the family on my death". Also, two letters dated 5 November 1831 on the handover of the sword to the von der Heyde family. Certified copy of a letter from the brother of von der Heyde, who fell at Brienne, on the sword in Gneisenau's possession. A note from one of Gneisenau's descendants, dated January 1896, in which he announces that, as a member of the Garde du Corps, he has submitted an official request to be permitted to bear a sword of Gneisenau. A further two letters from magistrate Kolberg regarding the sword and his search for files (1895). Moreover, confirmation that the sword was loaned to Preußen-Museum Wesel, dated 24 March 2010.Kapitän von der Heyde of the Infantry Lifeguards Regiment wielded this sword, a family heirloom, at the Battle of Brienne in 1814, where he was killed. It originally belonged to Oberst Heinrich Sigismund von der Heyde, the heroic commander who successfully defended the fortress of Kolberg in the Seven Years' War (his likeness can be found on the front of the pedestal of the statue of Friedrich II on horseback in Berlin, Unter den Linden). As a later defender of Kolberg, Gneisenau was so familiar with the name of von der Heyde that his descendant in the Battle of Brienne caught his attention.Provenance: Acquired from the von der Heyde family. A letter of provenance is enclosed.Condition: II