Unknown Knife

taube · 2nd May 2016, 09:09 AM

Gentlemen,

this knife came form an antiques dealer in Southern Germany.
It has some features of professional production.
Despite intense research, I cannot find any hints on its posssible origins.
Someone said it resembles a "Landknechtsmesser".
Could be ethno, European peasantry or simply self made or ...?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
taube.

The ruler´s units are centimeters.

corrado26 · 2nd May 2016, 07:01 PM

I think that this knife is a selfmade item, not too old, probably 20th century. The six edged pommel looks like a modern nut and in case that the south German dealer's name starts with an "F" it is certainly not old.
corrado26

Bob A · 2nd May 2016, 07:39 PM

The sheath doesn't look home-made to me, and its covering is the same leather as on the hilt.

It's a nice, brutal-looking piece of work, whatever it may be.

Tim Simmons · 2nd May 2016, 07:42 PM

Looks like a WW1 trench knife. In the UK many simple trench knives were made by established cutlers. I cannot see why it would have differed in Germany. I like the simple confident directness and there is style too.

Shakethetrees · 2nd May 2016, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Looks like a WW1 trench knife. In the UK many simple trench knives were made by established cutlers. I cannot see why it would have differed in Germany. I like the simple confident directness and there is style too.

Yes, too workmanlike to be a home made job. Especially the scabbard, which can be more difficult to do than a knife!

I like it but I think the date could be pushed back a little, maybe late 19th century-WWII.

colin henshaw · 2nd May 2016, 08:01 PM

Interesting piece, it has a simple brutality which I guess is what knives are all about. I agree could be a WW1 trench knife...

drac2k · 2nd May 2016, 11:02 PM

Maybe Chinese? Boxer Rebellion? The Germans had a presence in China at that time.

Tim Simmons · 3rd May 2016, 09:00 AM

Good suggestion there is semblance to Chinese knife forms. It appears to have a military design made to hang from a clip of some kind , like some army belts.

taube · 3rd May 2016, 09:48 AM

Thanks very much for all the input!
I will have to dig deeper in some directions.

Enclosed another detail shot.

Best,
taube.

Tim Simmons · 3rd May 2016, 03:45 PM

Another possibility is Spanish, from the civil war. The blade is like many Spanish knives and the Spanish bayonet scabbard has that nipple shape on the metal end piece of the scabbard. Just thoughts on a military and cultural mix in design?

Another thought South America, Argentina?

josh stout · 3rd May 2016, 10:56 PM

I see the resemblance to what are sometimes called "Chinese Bowie knives" but it is not one of them.

Shakethetrees · 4th May 2016, 01:22 AM

The scabbard is of European design and manufacture.

Henk · 5th May 2016, 10:45 AM

My first thought was a trench knife. Spanish civil war like Tim said is very good possible too. I think you have to look in those two directions.

Sajen · 7th May 2016, 03:59 PM

Another vote for a WWI trench knife/dagger.

2nd May 2016, 09:09 AM	#1
taube Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 45	Unknown Knife Gentlemen, this knife came form an antiques dealer in Southern Germany. It has some features of professional production. Despite intense research, I cannot find any hints on its posssible origins. Someone said it resembles a "Landknechtsmesser". Could be ethno, European peasantry or simply self made or ...? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Cheers, taube. The ruler´s units are centimeters. Attached Images Last edited by taube; 2nd May 2016 at 05:39 PM.

3rd May 2016, 09:48 AM	#9
taube Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 45	Thanks very much for all the input! I will have to dig deeper in some directions. Enclosed another detail shot. Best, taube. Attached Images

2nd May 2016, 07:01 PM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	I think that this knife is a selfmade item, not too old, probably 20th century. The six edged pommel looks like a modern nut and in case that the south German dealer's name starts with an "F" it is certainly not old. corrado26

2nd May 2016, 07:39 PM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	The sheath doesn't look home-made to me, and its covering is the same leather as on the hilt. It's a nice, brutal-looking piece of work, whatever it may be.

2nd May 2016, 07:42 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Looks like a WW1 trench knife. In the UK many simple trench knives were made by established cutlers. I cannot see why it would have differed in Germany. I like the simple confident directness and there is style too.

2nd May 2016, 08:01 PM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Interesting piece, it has a simple brutality which I guess is what knives are all about. I agree could be a WW1 trench knife...

2nd May 2016, 11:02 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,231	Maybe Chinese? Boxer Rebellion? The Germans had a presence in China at that time.

3rd May 2016, 09:00 AM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Good suggestion there is semblance to Chinese knife forms. It appears to have a military design made to hang from a clip of some kind , like some army belts.

3rd May 2016, 03:45 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Another possibility is Spanish, from the civil war. The blade is like many Spanish knives and the Spanish bayonet scabbard has that nipple shape on the metal end piece of the scabbard. Just thoughts on a military and cultural mix in design? Another thought South America, Argentina?

3rd May 2016, 10:56 PM	#11
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	I see the resemblance to what are sometimes called "Chinese Bowie knives" but it is not one of them.

4th May 2016, 01:22 AM	#12
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	The scabbard is of European design and manufacture.

5th May 2016, 10:45 AM	#13
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	My first thought was a trench knife. Spanish civil war like Tim said is very good possible too. I think you have to look in those two directions.

7th May 2016, 03:59 PM	#14
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Another vote for a WWI trench knife/dagger.