Original German WWI Private Purchase Dress Trench Fighting Knife Bayonet by Nahkӓmpfer with Scabbard & Period-Repaired Grip
In stock
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Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting private purchase trench knife bayonet, the design of which very closely follows that of the Kurzes Seitengewehr M1898/05 Dress Bayonet, with the checkered bakelite grips & bird’s head pommel.
Intended for use on the Mauser GEW 98 rifle, the bayonet design is based on the earlier M1871/84 bayonet with a 10 inch blade, and the first model of these were converted from those bayonets. This example was purpose made in this size, and was not converted.
This example has a very nice set of original checkered wooden grips, held in place by two steel rivets. One of the two grips has been repaired during the period with what looks like carved bone, very interesting! The bird's head pommel is in good shape, with a lovely oxidized patina, and the bayonet lock is fully functional.
The reverse ricasso is stamped NAHKÄMPFER / D.R.G.M.. Nahkämpfer translates directly to “melee fighter,” however “close combat fighter” is closer in English to the German’s spirit of the term. This type/style of knife really came into its own after the war ended as a souvenir for Doughboys (or others) desperate for some tangible “swag” that they had actually served “over there.”
Many examples of this knife possess replaced wooden or other material’s (i.e. bone) handles as if you inadvertently drop the knife and one of its old-timey plastic handles lands on anything remotely hard, they will shatter/chip
The knife comes in a genuine rolled steel World War One scabbard with leather belt loop and strap with a snap closure. There are no signs of major damage or repair, and the black finish is retained a little and the leather has a lot of cracking present. The leather belt loop is supple, with a functional snap.
This is a very interesting example of a private purchase trench knife bayonet. Comes ready for further use and display.
Dimensions:
Blade length: 5 5/8”
Overall length: 10 3/8”
Scabbard length: 6 1/4" with frog
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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