ERN Trench Knife "without" Proof Mark

[Youngin]

I have what I believe to be a WW1 German trench Knife. It has 9 diagonal grooves on each side of the flat wooden grip. The grip has 3 large rounded rivets. One side of the blade is marked, ERN WALD RHEINL. The other side of the blade is marked, RASIERMESSER FABRIK. It's exactly like others I've seen on this site EXCEPT there is "no Imperial proof mark" on the blade. Is this unusual?? Can I be sure that this is a military trench knife without it having the proof mark on the blade or were all of the military issued ones proof marked?

My daughter-in-law's Grandad (he was a WW2 Vet, ETO) brought it back from Germany when WW2 ended. It came with a metal scabbard with a leather belt strap like I've seen on this site. So, my question is, were they all proof marked??

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Bob

[rajko84]

If you can get us some pictures, that would help.
Regards Rajko

[ErichK]

A large portion of German WW1 trench/fighting knives were private purchased by the soldier and as such would NOT be marked as issued knives. The government could not procure enough knives to issue to every soldier.

[Youngin]

Thanks Erich!!

Bob