Original German WWI Hirschfänger Style Stag Handle Hunting Knife by F.W. Stock with Scabbard – dated 1908 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is something that we have not seen before!In use for centuries, the German Hirschfänger (Deer Catcher) long hunting daggers have always made lovely display pieces, as well as military sidearms. Many of the early bayonets used by the various German States were based on the Hirschfänger design, which is both simple and elegant, almost a short sword in practical terms.

This is a great WWI Era Hirschfänger style hunting knife, possibly also intended for field use. It is definitely shorter than the standard hunting sword, and in some ways much more utilitarian. The fittings of the knife and scabbard are all blued steel, not the “German Silver” often used. The knife is fitted with a slightly curved stag horn grip, with a “crusader sword” style straight crossguard. The grip ferrule and pommel are steel, and in good shape, with a lot of the original finish present.

The blade is a standard straight spear-point example, single edged with a false edge on the spine side. It is VERY sturdy, about 3/8″ thick at the base, suitable for use against both game and we suspect also enemy combatants.

The blade ricasso is marked with an ornate coat of arms over STOCK / EISENACH, with a date of 1908 off to the left. This indicates production by maker F.W. Stock, Hofmesser und Waffenschmied (Steward and Armourer), located in Eisenach, Thuringia, then part of the Grand Duchy of Saxony. This area was known as the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach until 1903, and we assume that the coat of arms is from one of the families in the Duchy. Per J. Anthony Carter’s fine work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, this company was recorded as a maker of hunting cutlasses. There are also some records of them producing knives during the NSDAP period.

The leather scabbard, is much like other German scabbards of the WWI era, and has a lovely “acorn” shaped frog stud on the front. It fits the knife perfectly, and just looks great. There is some wear to the steel and the leather, but it still presents beautifully.

A very nice Hunting knife set from a known maker, ready to display or even use!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 10 5/8″
Blade Style: Single Edged
Overall length: 16 3/8“
Crossguard: 4”
Scabbard Length: 11 3/8″