axis fighting knife?

**josephc** · 10-28-2010, 03:12 AM

In a US WWII vet lot I purchased there is included a bayonet that was converted to a fighting knife. On the inspection documents it calls out a german bayonet but this knife and sheath may not be german. What do you think?

The sheath has GI's initial and last digits of ASN written on back and no other markings - sheath looks US to me. The knife has no markings or locking mech.

**Walkwolf** · 10-28-2010, 03:43 AM

It looks similar to a converted U.S. Krag bayonet ( ca. 1900 )
with a commercially made sheath.

**josephc** · 10-28-2010, 04:28 AM

by Walkwolf

It looks similar to a converted U.S. Krag bayonet ( ca. 1900 )
with a commercially made sheath.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the original german bayonet noted in the papers is long gone.

**cricketchris1944** · 10-28-2010, 04:30 AM

Has anyone seen a certificate like this before?

**josephc** · 10-28-2010, 05:04 AM

But the hilt is solid and no place for barrel to go through.

**josephc** · 10-28-2010, 05:05 AM

by cricketchris1944

Has anyone seen a certificate like this before?

I believe I have seen a similar doc like this with papers for a pistol, ie p38.

**cricketchris1944** · 10-28-2010, 05:39 AM

by josephc

I believe I have seen a similar doc like this with papers for a pistol, ie p38.

Was this guy a officer because most of the guys did not even do this paper work ,only for fire arms.
Very nice piece.

**Franz1944** · 10-28-2010, 06:25 AM

If cant go on end of rifle then it not a bayonet. means paper does not go with the knife,
Looks like bayonet. doubt it if it German.

**aechols83** · 10-28-2010, 09:30 PM

I was incorrect in thinking this might be Austrian or Turkish and for Mannlicher or Mauser rifle. I agree with Steve that this is indeed a converted U.S. Krag-Jørgensen bayonet. Here is an image for comparison.

Best,
Adam

**Walkwolf** · 10-28-2010, 10:19 PM

Yes, it looks like you are right, JosephC. The 'German bayonet' listed on the
form is not the one pictured. The correct one should have been for a WWII
K98 rifle, and indeed probably was before it was switched/substituted.
I think the certificate is perfectly original.

When the conversion to this bayonet was done, it became a knife
as certain areas were ground off or removed.

I have a knife that was converted from a WWI era
( 1907 Patent ) Ross rifle bayonet..............