 The WKC Jubilee sword is a limited-edition sword based on the historical model of the German Army General Saber.
WKC was almost completely destroyed during World War Two by the intensive Allied bombing of the Wittkullerstrasse area of Solingen on November 4-5, 1944. Between 1945 and 1955, no production took place. In November 1955, Mr. Hans Kolping purchased the surviving portion of the factory. Kolping was a knife producer who wanted to expand his production facilities for knife production.
Once his factory moved into the new premises, Mr. Kolping found some interesting tools and machines: for the production of ceremonial swords.
He and his wife, Margard Willms, invested a great deal of time and effort to once again establish the production of WKC swords as it was before war. They set up a forging department and bought a roll forge. They created an etching department. They hired Schwertfeger (sword masters), blacksmiths and Damaszierer.
In March 1956, the first swords left the factory. Those were for historical clubs in Germany. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Kolping took a boat to the USA to obtain orders for ceremonial swords, while carrying his first samples of the US Navy Officer sword in his luggage. During the first trip, Hans gathered many orders so that after his return he had to hire and train more craftsmen. By the end of 1956, about 50 people worked at WKC, producing knives, swords and cutlery.
To honor the efforts of all WKC employees since 1955 and of Mr. Kolping and his wife Margard, WKC has developed the WKC 50-year Anniversary sword, celebrating 50 years of ceremonial sword production since WW II.
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