Short German Fighting Knife Unk Maker

[Capt.Case]

Looking to determine what this type of German fighting knife is known as officially.   Bayonet style handle without the grove on rear backstrap. Non working button on pommel. Metal scabbard with leather hanger.  Tang stamp is the picture of a King and Knight.  I see no writing. The knife measures 10" inches overall and the blade is just over 5" inches.  

Thank you, Capt. Case

[Preppy Picker]

Almost looks HJ but I think it’s earlier than that.

[Capt.Case]

Yes, the pommel has that look but the blade is much more sturdy than an HJ.  Also is has a clip point shape. Do you recognize the maker?

[Gwar]

Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie was the amalgamation of two very old Solingen family companies in 1883. Both companies had had their own trademark. For Weyersburg it was King's head and for Kirschbaum it was a Knight's head. On amalgamation the two trademarks were merged and appeared on the ricasso of blades from 1883 until 1918 and the end of the monarchy in Germany.
With the end of the monarchy it's not surprising the company decided to banish their "King" logo and continue on with solely the Knight. The monarchy was out of favour and the company was still in the business of selling swords to State organisations.
The Knight trademark probably emerged quite soon after WW1 and evolved into a number of variations. There appears to have been several changes after 1930 when the company renamed itself "WKC Stahl und Eisenwarenfabrik". As the Knight's head evolved, the appearance of "WKC" seemed to follow on the ricasso mark. The refinements include detail lines on the helmet visor, helmet comb and around the neck, so for me pre WW 2

[Capt.Case]

Thank you, very interesting.  So likely pre 1918 since that is when the dual stamp ended?  

[Gwar]

Yes, and I personally believe the blade started out a bit longer and has been shortened and ground to what we see today.

[Capt.Case]

Possibly done post WW I then as the scabbard fits perfectly.  I'd like to see a longer version or another like this.

[Gwar]

I may have been hasty in my assessment; these were known as private purchase trench knives with a Bowie styles blade, I will put in an inquiry as the actual length of the blade, the handles look / are different by the picture you have provided the hanger on this example has had a field repair..

Photo credit: Reibert

Another example

[Gwar]

You're welcome for the added photos and information.......🙄

[Capt.Case]

Sorry, I actually typed a reply and must not have hit submit.   Excellent research on your part, thank you!  Nice photos.  Do you know if they are  shown in any of the reference books published?

[SARGE]

Capt.Case,

 

These "Army Daggers" are shown in the period WKC catalogs as their catalog # "93  Armeedolch / Klinge 15 cm lang".  They are pictured next to a Hitler Youth knife so this identical Armeedolch continued to be made as late as the early NS Zeit.  

 

Yours is from Imperial times with this trademark.

 

I hope this is helpful.

 

 

[Capt.Case]

Thank you,  that is helpful to know.   I'm not familiar with the term NS Zeit, what is that?

[SARGE]

15 hours ago, Capt.Case said:

Thank you,  that is helpful to know.   I'm not familiar with the term NS Zeit, what is that?

 

You are welcome and sorry about the German jargon... National Socialist times = "NS Zeit".  

 

[Capt.Case]

Ah, the German Newspaper of the time.  I should have known Zeitung is newspaer in German.  Thank you