Unusual dagger for I.D. and comment.

colin henshaw · 25th August 2011, 10:22 AM

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.

Gavin Nugent · 25th August 2011, 11:41 AM

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

kronckew · 25th August 2011, 12:03 PM

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) :

more info in my post HERE in THIS THREAD

colin henshaw · 26th August 2011, 10:46 AM

Thanks to Gav and kronckew - mystery solved !

TimW · 26th August 2011, 11:22 AM

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

25th August 2011, 10:22 AM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	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. Attached Images

25th August 2011, 11:41 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	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

25th August 2011, 12:03 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,182	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) : more info in my post HERE in THIS THREAD

26th August 2011, 10:46 AM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Thanks to Gav and kronckew - mystery solved !

26th August 2011, 11:22 AM	#5
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	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