Original German WWI & WWII Service Worn Trench Fighting Knife Nahkampfmesser with Steel Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Fitted with a single edge blade this is an original service worn fighting knife used by the Germans in WWI. Offered in good condition, this knife has wood grip panels secured by three pins. They are rounded like many WWII issue knives, so this knife may have been refit and used again in WWII, as many were. The blade has been modified significantly from it’s original shape due to use and sharpening, and now almost looks like a fileting knife. It is currently somewhat dull, and shows oxidation staining on much of the surface. the cross guard has also been reduced in size significantly.

The knife comes in a genuine rolled steel World War One scabbard, which has unfortunately had the leather belt loop tear off. The black paint on the scabbard is retained at over 80%, with some lovely checking and crazing due to age, confirming authenticity.

No visible markings, but 100% original, and very good example for display in any quality German Great War edged weapon collection.

Measurements:
Blade Length: 5 1/8 inches
Blade Style: Single Edged knife with False Edge
Handle Length: 4 1/2 inches
Total Length: 9 5/8 inches
Scabbard Length: 6 3/8 inches

The German Nahkampfmesser (translated: close combat knife) was the standard issue German combat knife during the First World War. It remained in service in modified form through the end of the Second World War. Most of these knives had slab wooden grips and metal sheaths and were sturdily made. According to one authoritative source, German-issued trench knives of World War I were “conventional, general-purpose, cut-and-thrust knives” with blades that were “for the most part approximately six inches in length, single-edged with a top leading false edge … although double-edged blades are occasionally encountered.”

After the French Nail was employed against them, German forces on the Western Front also began to employ converted steel barbed-wire stakes as stabbing weapons for use by their own soldiers.

German trench knives carried during World War II were similar in design and are usually known today as boot knives, although they seldom were carried in boots. Most also had steel sheaths with clips that could be attached to boots, webbing or clothing, and most were made by government contractors and issued as combat gear.