{"product_id":"original-german-wwi-fighting-trench-knife-with-original-rolled-steel-scabbard-marked-weihnachten-1916-christmas-1916","title":"Original German WWI Fighting Trench Knife with Original Rolled Steel Scabbard - Marked “Weihnachten 1916” Christmas 1916","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Fitted with a single edged and a slight Bowie style blade this is an original fighting knife used by the Germans in WW1 and then again in WW2. In nice used condition, this knife has an all-wood grip with hatching secured by three pins. The blade is single edged but has a small false edge of about two inches at the point. Blade is bright and free of pitting with some minor discoloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are markings present on the side of the blade, close to the spine but there are inconsistencies present, making for excellent research. The markings include \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeihnachten 1916\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eII. Batl. Inf. Regt. 417.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. Now we believe that the “Christmas” marking to be German done, while the unit marking and numbers to be post war addition by a soldier who brought it home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife comes in an original rolled steel World War One scabbard with a pressed paper type belt loop and strap with button closure completely missing. The scabbard was repainted black at some point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo visible maker markings but 100% original, a classic example for display in any quality German edged weapons collection of the Great War or World War Two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 5 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edged Knife with Spear Point False Edge\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 10“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 6 3\/8\" + Belt Loop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the war began, many German and Austrian soldiers carried small privately purchased hunting knives. In addition, the German army issued a number of \u003cem\u003eNahkampfmesser\u003c\/em\u003e (close combat knives) to their soldiers as standard equipment to be used as weapons and for less lethal purposes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of these mass-produced knives consisted of well-made, 6-inch steel blades with a plain metal cross guard and wooden handles riveted to the tang. Each was carried in a black-painted, steel scabbard and suspended from a leather loop meant to be hung on the owner’s belt or equipment straps. German manufacturer logos were sometimes stamped into the blade ricassos as were the armory inspection markings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40562924290117,"sku":"ONSV23NAS126","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV23NAS126__02.jpg?v=1681919147","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwi-fighting-trench-knife-with-original-rolled-steel-scabbard-marked-weihnachten-1916-christmas-1916","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}