HELP NEEDED TO IDENTIFY KNIFE
 

I HAVE HAD THIS KNIFE SINCE THE 1960'S BUT HAVEN'T GOT AROUND TO TRYING TO IDENTIFY IT UNTIL NOW. IT HAS A 8 5/8 IN. STEEL BLADE WITH SOME MARKINGS ON IT PERHAPS WRITEING? A 4 6/8 IN. BRASS HANDLE THAT IS HOLLOW SO THE KNIFE HAS GOOD BALANCE BEING JUST A BIT HEAVY TO THE HANDLE. IT IS 13 3/8 IN OVERALL AND HAS A LEATHER SCABBARD.
THE ODD CROSSGAURD LOOKS KIND OF LIKE IT COULD HAVE BEEN USED AS SOME SORT OF BAYONET BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. ANY INFORMATION OR COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

Hi Vandoo,
I keep thinking 'Trench art' (WW1) ....it does look like a bayonet cross guard, perhaps reshaped. The handle could be a brass light fitting or candle holder ....the blade :shrug:

Regards David

The scabbard reminds me of South American machet scabbards and the blade looks a bit Span Am to me as well. :shrug: