Original German WWI Fighting Trench Knife with Original Rolled Steel Scabbard – Marked “Weihnachten 1916” Christmas 1916 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Fitted with a single edged and a slight Bowie style blade this is an original fighting knife used by the Germans in WW1 and then again in WW2. In nice used condition, this knife has an all-wood grip with hatching secured by three pins. The blade is single edged but has a small false edge of about two inches at the point. Blade is bright and free of pitting with some minor discoloration.

There are markings present on the side of the blade, close to the spine but there are inconsistencies present, making for excellent research. The markings include Weihnachten 1916 and II. Batl. Inf. Regt. 417.. Now we believe that the “Christmas” marking to be German done, while the unit marking and numbers to be post war addition by a soldier who brought it home.

The knife comes in an original rolled steel World War One scabbard with a pressed paper type belt loop and strap with button closure completely missing. The scabbard was repainted black at some point.

No visible maker markings but 100% original, a classic example for display in any quality German edged weapons collection of the Great War or World War Two.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 1/2″
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife with Spear Point False Edge
Overall length: 10“
Crossguard: 2”
Scabbard Length: 6 3/8″ + Belt Loop

When the war began, many German and Austrian soldiers carried small privately purchased hunting knives. In addition, the German army issued a number of Nahkampfmesser (close combat knives) to their soldiers as standard equipment to be used as weapons and for less lethal purposes.

Each of these mass-produced knives consisted of well-made, 6-inch steel blades with a plain metal cross guard and wooden handles riveted to the tang. Each was carried in a black-painted, steel scabbard and suspended from a leather loop meant to be hung on the owner’s belt or equipment straps. German manufacturer logos were sometimes stamped into the blade ricassos as were the armory inspection markings.