Mint WW1 Trench knife

[rick1]

I have what I believe is a WW1 Ern trench knife in as near mint condition as I could see possible. A nice imperial marking...The person I got this from had it marked WW2, probably because he thought something this old couldn't look like this...mint blade has grease on it that at least smells original...and the blade is perfect and razor sharp...feels heavy and well made in the hands...scabbard almost as good, has a brass snap. I would like to get your opinions. I did hear some of these unissued were found in some country's armorys.

[LH 600]

Great dagger . Looks very fine and orginal. Clean and nice blade

Congrats

LH 600

[rick1]

Hi, I cleaned up the blade...it has never been sharpened and retains the factorys razor sharp edge...I was wondering if anyone out there has a WW1 trench knife with an unused blade...I have never seen one and was wondering about its rarity.
Thanks

[rick1]

I will assume then this is quite rare.

[phild]

I will assume then this is quite rare.

It is not rare, but it is nice. A few years ago (maybe 10-12) a lot of these (maybe a few thousand total) were imported into the Germany and the US from either a Balkan country or Turkey that were generally un-used leftover German WWI stock. There were a lot of Erns (2 types of these at least) and a lot of other makers and varitations.

These retailed for around $50-$75 for a while (early on) and then climbed a bit. Up until 2 or 3 years ago there were still some quantities being offered by retailers like Samco.

They are now on the "secondary" market so to speak and are more. You may find them for around $150 -$200 depending...and maybe less from someone who does not know the market....as usual.

These minty trench are much more common than finding one that shows period use....I make that statement just to say that I think that there were more brought in from this lot than were brought back from the wars.

[Milton]

Great looking Nahkampfmesser. I actually have one that's in similar condition that I found in an antique shop in Munich several years ago at the bottom of an umbrella stand. Blade is mint, un-used, handle has NO damage at all, hilt fittings show just the slightest of patina. The main difference is that mine has an Ersatz belt loop (woven material, similar to what you'd see on later issue gas masks). As far as I'm concerned, ANY Great War edged weapon in unissued condition is quite a find. Cheers, Milto.