February 26, 20224 yr #1 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
February 26, 20224 yr Author #3 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?
February 26, 20224 yr #4 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
February 26, 20224 yr Author #5 Thank you, very interesting. So likely pre 1918 since that is when the dual stamp ended?
February 26, 20224 yr #6 Yes, and I personally believe the blade started out a bit longer and has been shortened and ground to what we see today.
February 26, 20224 yr Author #7 Possibly done post WW I then as the scabbard fits perfectly. I'd like to see a longer version or another like this.
February 27, 20224 yr #8 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
February 28, 20224 yr Author #10 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?
March 1, 20224 yr #11 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.
March 1, 20224 yr Author #12 Thank you, that is helpful to know. I'm not familiar with the term NS Zeit, what is that?
March 2, 20224 yr #13 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".
March 2, 20224 yr Author #14 Ah, the German Newspaper of the time. I should have known Zeitung is newspaer in German. Thank you
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