Original Dutch WWI M-1915 Stormdolk Commando Knife with Leather Scabbard Original Items

Original Item Only One Available. This is an outstanding condition example of the Dutch M-1915 Fighting Knife. The knife was known in Dutch service as the “Stormdolk”, and is often referred to by collectors as a Dutch Commando Knife, as some of the Dutch Commando forces that operated with the British during World War II chose to carry this knife rather than the British special forces standard issue Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife. The knives were produced from 1915 until the Germans overran Holland in 1940. After the German occupation, many of the knives served as ersatz fighting knives for the German military, both in their original condition and sometimes as modified variants.

The knife, as originally produced was manufactured with an 8″ stiletto blade and had an overall length of about 13 1/4″. The blade was heat blued and examples with large amounts of their original blade finish are truly striking. The solid wood wooden handle was oval in cross section, with eight grasping grooves to enhance the grip of the knife. The grip was otherwise smooth, with a bulbous pommel cap area. The blade was secured to the solid wood handle with a pair of rivets that were approximately 1/4″ in diameter. A 3/16″ wide metal ferrule reinforced the front section of the handle, butting up against an oval cross guard that was approximately 2 1/8″ x 15/16″. The ferrule and cross guard were heat blued as well.

The front of the crossguard was stamped with the serial number of the knife, and this same serial number was marked on the rear of the frog, which the leather scabbard was attached to. The ferrule, ricasso and wooden pommel cap were all marked with military inspection marks. The knife was carried in a brown leather covered metal scabbard with a steel ball tip. The scabbard was permanently attached to a leather belt frog via rivets, and the frog included a retaining strap to secure the hilt of the knife.

This example of the Dutch M-1915 Stormdolk Fighting Knife is in very good service used condition. The knife is full length and the blade has a very attractive blued color, though it does look to have been arsenal refinished. The edge has been sharpened, and there are some signs of past rust peppering, now removed and refinished. The cross guard and ferrule have not been refinished, and have a lovely worn patina.

The front of the oval guard is marked with the serial number 783 / B. The obverse ricasso and grip ferrule are both marked with (CROWN) / Z inspection marks. The grooved wooden grip is in excellent condition as well. The wooden pommel cap is marked with the usual Dutch military (CROWN) / Z inside an oval inspection mark, a larger version of the marks found on the blade and ferrule. The grip is smooth and free of any major breaks or repairs. It does show some wear, and has some small chunks missing as well as a few small cracks. 

The leather covered metal scabbard is in good condition, showing wear from age and service. The rear of the leather frog is marked with serial number 3497C, so it is not the original scabbard for this knife. There is overall wear to the leather, with some finish loss and cracking in areas. All of the original copper rivets are still intact, though their finish is partly worn away. The belt loop is solid, however the securing strap definitely has cracking and deterioration. It still retains the stud and matching slot, but is in delicate condition.

Overall this is a nice service used example of a scarce World War I- World II era Dutch military fighting knife. This would be a great addition to any advanced edged weapons collection that focuses on fighting knives from either of the World Wars, and would be a great addition to any collection that specializes in ersatz NSDAP fighting knives.

Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 8″
Blade Style: Double Edged “Stiletto” Dagger
Overall length: 13 1/4“
Crossguard: 2 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 9″ with Belt Loop