Family legend has it that my Grandfather took this off of a German officer during the Battle of the Bulge. For all I know Granddad is just as likely to have won this with a hand of cards. He served in the 103rd Infantry Division as a Rifleman and campaigned mainly in the Vosges mountains around St Die. I have no fascination with Third Reich items, in fact I have very mixed feelings about even keeping this sword. But it is a part of the family history and so I'm curious of its origins. Apologies if this seems a bit macabre.
It has not got a live-edge, rather a flat parade edge. The plain scabbard has me thinking it's not from a particularly senior officer. The motif on the handle and handguard are seemingly of oak leaves and acorns. On the pommel, a five petaled, Tudor style rose. One side of the Crossguard features an eagle and swastika within a garland, the reverse features a heraldic-type shield which is blank surrounded by crossed oak leaves.
a Google Images search shows many different designs on the basic theme I'm curious if these images can trace this sword to a specific regiment or type of service.
https://ibb.co/ngS9dz https://ibb.co/k3b7WK https://ibb.co/fr29dz https://ibb.co/ikiRQe https://ibb.co/ekuY5e https://ibb.co/dzThyz
On the blade of the sword is a mark with the word "Solingen", which is a place in germany. After some search with the given information i found this website (https://www.weitze.net/militaria/Wehrmacht_1933_1945_34.html) with WW2 swords for sale. If we take into account the swastika on the right side, the colour of the metal, the hawk and the handguard design then it should be this one:
https://www.weitze.net/militaria/25/Wehrmacht_Heer_WH_Saebel_fuer_Offiziere__312125.html
So this is possible prof that you sword is a real officer sword.
For the topic of where it comes from, the closest i got was the "Heeresgruppge G". At the time of the Battle of the Bulge, it was the army that was stationed in the Vosges mountains near St Die. It consisted of the 1. Armee,
19. Armee and 5. Panzerarmee. So it should be a sword of one of theses armies officers.
Which one it was or which officer i dont know. I hope i could help you a bit at least.
Sources:
your information
https://www.weitze.net/militaria/Wehrmacht_1933_1945_34.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/103rd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)