WW1 Trench Knife?

[Mac 66]

Guys seen this knife for sale but wondered if it was a genuine WW1 peice as its stamped GERMANY on the blade?, certainly looks a genuine WW1 trench knife .

[Mac 66]

2.

[Mac 66]

Nobody know about these knifes being stamped GERMANY???

[soldbuch]

messer

Hi Sweez
The scabbard is 100% ww1 the knife itself I'm not so sure about. I could be a post WW1 commercial made piece as many were, the logo is not one I have seen on a WW1 item the usual is smaller and above razierfabrik without the Germany on the other side.
Is that a mark on the blade or an inspection stamp above ERN?
Cheers
Soldbuch

[Mac 66]

Soldbuch, i,m not sure if thats an inspection stamp above ERN but it could be??, i have a few WW1 trench knifes myself but there not stamped GERMANY, which bothers me with this knife.

[David Guist]

Hello Germany is a post wars stamp. Best regards.

[Mac 66]

Hello Germany is a post wars stamp. Best regards.

Thanks David, this is what i was thinking but wasnt sure as this is a WW1 era knife.

[David Guist]

Well now I think some items were stamped Germany for export as well.

[Richie B]

ERN could be C Friedrich Ern, Ern-Rasiermesserfabrik.

They made knives of this shape in the WW1 era.

Possibly exported to the US hence the Germany stamp.

Certainly looks like an Imperial inspection stamp on the blade.

I'll chance my arm and say it looks genuine (and will prepare to be shot down on flames ) - always difficulkt to tell from photos IMHO.

Regards

Richie

[Frogprince]

"et tu brute?" You are not alone.

..... I'll chance my arm and say it looks genuine (and will prepare to be shot down on flames ) - always difficulkt to tell from photos IMHO. Regards Richie

I think the knife looks OK in the sense that it doesn't look like one of the Indian/Pakistani knockoffs. I also like the somewhat crude WW I semi “ersatz” manufacturing look, and what seems to be legitimate wear.

I’ve seen German acceptance stamps and unit markings on export model swords that were taken into German service for the war. Said items not having “Germany” - but the name/location of the maker as might be expected.

However, I’ve also seen the “Germany” stamp on surplus/war booty (or whatever you want to call it). On rifles that were imported into the U.S. after the war that were 100 % original, other than the stamp. Not new items, but well used. Which is the “box” I would put this one in, until I find out otherwise. FP

[Reibert-Austria]

I don´t like it !

Never saw an ERN maker´s mark like that ...

Quite blurred stamps ...

Germany ...

Too much red flags ...

[Mac 66]

Thanks Guys, i,ll leave this knife alone

[Frogprince]

Reibert, Not to get into a big discussion, but I’ve seen well marked fakes, and poorly marked legitimate ersatz WW I bayonets. Also, why go the effort to make a “Germany” stamp. Why not just make one from a known maker?

PS: I'm not disputing your expertise, but I doubt that many have seen some of the items I mentioned because they are not very common. Best Regards, Fred

[evilmike]

they make very convincing copies today Scott of similar styles, even down to the scabbards, they sell them locally about £25 here, usually covered in grease

[Frogprince]

Evilmike, I can't even remember how far back it was when I first saw some fake trench knives for sale in bulk. At very cheap prices, it did not take long for them to reappear with “product improvements” like fake aging and substantial increases in price. And every so often a new batch would appear.

With this knife I did some image enhancements, and if the scabbard posted here is a fake, IMO we are ALL in trouble. Additional pictures might or might not change that perception, but from what I have seen with all of the closeups so far, it has not set off any particular alarms.

With the main problem seeming to be a dispute as to the correctness of the markings. As for the “Germany” marking posted here it is off center. Which is how the the import markings on guns were done. By hand stamp, at random places within a general location. Best Regards, Fred