Engraved german fighting knife

[Martin guerre]

Hi guys just found this engraved knife at flea market this morning..
I think it could be WWI/WW2 ..
what do you think ?
Thanks
Martin

[rbminis]

Hello Martin,
I will give the same response as I did on WAF.
Original WW I, fighting knife grind to the blade, with a replacement sheath.
I can not make out the complete etch from these photos.
Maybe someone else may know what the etch says.
Ralph.

[Anderson]

An interesting knife, but I think the refurbishment goes beyond a new leather scabbard. I would say the steel cap on the hilt and the collar linking the blade and grip is a new replacement. Quite a difference in patina to the blade. Only the blade and horn grip appear original to the knife to me. Rather nice though.

[MilitariaOne]

Greetings Martin

Agree with all that has been said/shared. Below, is a graphic of what the etching looked like when new. I placed your shared example underneath for a quick comparison.

Best,

V/r Lance

Double click on image to enlarge.

[AndyB]

Lance reported the real etch on similar piece, the 42 is a projectile of Thick Berta canon i assume.

[Sleepwalker]

German 42-cm-Mörser.

Dicke Bertha – Wikipedia

Regards

[Danmark]

A utilitarian piece kept functional all these decades with repairs and a new sheath. Doubtful it was intended to deceive, just part & parcel of it's continued existance.

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

this type of knife was sold in large quantities and in many variants of sheaths, blades and handles through many dealers. These could be bought privately by anyone. Such knives were not issued officially.

They were mostly rededicated hunting knives to serve the market with products. In my opinion with very little practical value as a combat knife.

Here are excerpts from a catalog from the time of field supplies and patriotic jewelry. In addition to many different knives, there were purses, badges, tobacco pipes, toys, board games, flashlights, children's uniforms, etc. etc.















Regards

[Anderson]

Interesting document SW, particularly as it shows the original scabbard type.

[DaveR]

Google German Nicker knife, a traditional hunting and skinning knife. Linder Solingen German nicker hunting knife, Edelweiss butt cap 240110 | Lamnia