French combat knife, period of use?

[Reibert]

In December 2023 I was able to get a dagger just like that.

The condition is very good, there were verdigris deposits on the snap fastener of the locking strap and on the riveting of the belt loop on the sheath body, otherwise there is nothing to complain about! ...

The following is stamped on the crossguard:
MARQUE ET MODÉLE DÉPOSESÉS
POGNARD DE COMBAT
and:
SPECIAL BERET ROUGE

(marque et modèle déposé probably stands for registered brand and model?)

Again:
In my opinion not an "official" combat knife but still a model that could well have been bought "officially" and "privately" in PX shops in barracks as well as in shops, and could also have been worn in combat.

[Reibert]

...

[earlymb]

Those are some very nice daggers, I wouldn't mind adding one of those to my collection! The only one I have is made from an Mle. 1886 bayonet handle with part of the blade of a German M1898(?) bayonet. I's quite heavy and well made, and was sharpened quite roughly sometime in its past. It didn't come with a scabbard and the history is unknown.

[Reibert]

"Les nettoyeurs de tranchées" / "Le Nettoyer des Tranches" ("Ditch cleaner")

Such knives were not that unknown on the French side and sometimes the soldier would literally attack the enemy in the enemy trench with a kitchen knife.

There were many "conversions" and unique pieces of cutting weapons and stabbing weapons, as well as trench clubs, but it is not always easy to tell whether these are contemporary originals or "newly made" items with a great "story" behind them and a correspondingly high purchase price! ...

[AndyB]

The blade is mostly done from S98/05nA bayonet.

[earlymb]

The blade is mostly done from S98/05nA bayonet.

Thanks!

[earlymb]

"Les nettoyeurs de tranchées" / "Le Nettoyer des Tranches" ("Ditch cleaner")

Such knives were not that unknown on the French side and sometimes the soldier would literally attack the enemy in the enemy trench with a kitchen knife.

There were many "conversions" and unique pieces of cutting weapons and stabbing weapons, as well as trench clubs, but it is not always easy to tell whether these are contemporary originals or "newly made" items with a great "story" behind them and a correspondingly high purchase price! ...

I think this knife might be just post-WW2, even though it's constructed from WW1 parts?

[AndyB]

Its more as real, the nickel alloy handle is from Lebel bayonet, in WW1 quickly replaced on Berthier bayonets with brass handles, later even iron cast, question is the S98/05 as probably all production were realised in WW1 but some are reused in WW2, when the piece was blued, this would move it for use into WW2, but on filled surface is this hard to say and marking is out, as there is only blade reused.

[Reibert]

Hi,
two years ago I bought several French-style trench daggers from the World War era at auction.

The sales text read something like this:

"Collection of French trench daggers (reproduction?).
As the war industry had extreme material problems in the First World War, the field smiths made daggers for trench warfare from broken bayonets, old files, kitchen knives, and so on.
The "French Nail" is a reproduction, I don't know about the others, I don't know anything about them.
I assume they are reproductions, as the original daggers are very difficult to find.
The models are documented in specialist literature and come from a private WW1 museum in Alsace that was closed down after the owner died."


I took a closer look at the daggers and the pieces are at least partially original (at least as far as the blades are concerned), and are usable "placeholders".

The "kitchen knife" appears to be completely original, only the leather finger guard appears to have been added.

Such "homemade" knives are known as "Nettoyeurs de tranchées" ("ditch cleaners").

Best regards,
R.

[Reibert]

ACIER GARANTI


Acier Fondu Garanti made by Sabatier ?