ERN WW1 trench knife

[ziomanno]

Hello to you all gents;
I've just got a WW1 German fighting knife, made by ERN firm. It is in almost minty condictions, with just some wear on the scabbard.
One unusual thing is the handle, being the wooden panels painted with a thin coat of a light khaki/gray color...
I'd like to have your opinions on it, since I have very limited knowledge on these blades.

TIA,

Marzio

[rbminis]

A nice original.
Ralph.

[MilitariaOne]

ALL ORIGINAL!!!

Me likey,

Lance

[ziomanno]

Thank you Ralph and Lance; any guess about the strange paint on the handle?

[rbminis]

The paint is original as well, just can't tell you who painted it though.
Ralph.

[MilitariaOne]

Thank you Ralph and Lance; any guess about the strange paint on the handle?

Greetings Marzio,

I have seen painted handles before, it usually is considered a soldier preference kind of thing. Some folks really get into camo-ing up their personal gear as reflections/glint are bad when you are attempting to be sneaky/stealthy. It was not done at the factory, this is something a soldier would of done themselves for the aforementioned reasons. Don't forget, many of these knives had a second life in WWII, which is (my pure guess here) when it was probably painted. Hope this helps.

V/r Lance

[ziomanno]

Sure it does! Thanks again.

[sb98]

Nice knife. Here's a cousin in similar condition, I wonder if they're connected somehow.

[ziomanno]

Hi, nice "sting" you have there... And yes, that "camo" paint seems exactly the same. 🤔