Original German WWI Trench Fighting Knife with Ribbed Grips & Original Rolled Steel Scabbard 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 two pins. The blade is single edged but has a small false edge of about two inches at the point. The knife comes in an original rolled steel World War One scabbard with a very fragile leather belt loop and strap with button closure that is unfortunately detached but still present.

The blade is in fair shape with some small chips to the edge as shown, but not very much oxidation. The blade itself is a small bit detached from the hilt, and is lifted about 2mm. The scabbard has a brown belt hanger with original working snap.

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

Approximate Specifications:
Blade Length: 5 ⅞”
Blade Style: Single Edged Knife with Spear Point False Edge
Overall length: 10 1/4“
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.