Unusual dagger for I.D. and comment.
 

Hi

This strange dagger came recently with some ethnographic items I wanted.

The handle has an unusual triple bar type construction, one bar of which ends in a snake head. Length of dagger only is about 26cm. In fact it fits well in the hand and feels like a serious weapon, not a decoration piece. From the patina and wear to the scabbard, I would say it has been worn, probably on a belt for quite some time. Maybe a fighting knife of some sort, perhaps a one-off ?

Can anyone identify this piece ?

Thanks in advance.

Trench knife
 

A very nice example. I believe these are referred to a Nail knife from France.

You'll find the info in this link interesting, also with a similar snakes head pictured within.

http://plowshareforge.blogspot.com/2...nch-nails.html

Gav

yup, french nail knife, ww1, they made a lot of these out of the steel barbed wire support poles and/or large nails.

another (mine) :

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...chNailcopy.jpg

more info in my post HERE in THIS THREAD

Thanks to Gav and kronckew - mystery solved !

It is indeed a French army knife. There is a good book written on this topic: http://www.amazon.fr/couteaux-nos-so.../dp/2703001959 I have it at home and will have a look. If i find more info on the knife in question, I'll let you know. There were several makers / types around.

cheers


Tim