Capt.Case Posted February 26, 2022 Share #1 Posted February 26, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preppy Picker Posted February 26, 2022 Share #2 Posted February 26, 2022 Almost looks HJ but I think it’s earlier than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share #3 Posted February 26, 2022 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted February 26, 2022 Share #4 Posted February 26, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share #5 Posted February 26, 2022 Thank you, very interesting. So likely pre 1918 since that is when the dual stamp ended? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted February 26, 2022 Share #6 Posted February 26, 2022 Yes, and I personally believe the blade started out a bit longer and has been shortened and ground to what we see today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share #7 Posted February 26, 2022 Possibly done post WW I then as the scabbard fits perfectly. I'd like to see a longer version or another like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted February 27, 2022 Share #8 Posted February 27, 2022 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwar Posted February 27, 2022 Share #9 Posted February 27, 2022 You're welcome for the added photos and information.......🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted February 28, 2022 Author Share #10 Posted February 28, 2022 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted March 1, 2022 Share #11 Posted March 1, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted March 1, 2022 Author Share #12 Posted March 1, 2022 Thank you, that is helpful to know. I'm not familiar with the term NS Zeit, what is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted March 2, 2022 Share #13 Posted March 2, 2022 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". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted March 2, 2022 Author Share #14 Posted March 2, 2022 Ah, the German Newspaper of the time. I should have known Zeitung is newspaer in German. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now