Description
Product Description: Nice example of a World War II German Fighting Knife. This Fighting knife stands out because it features an uncommon eagle and swastika marking on the reverse ricasso. Obverse ricasso is marked “hat / 1941” for Gebruder Gefrath. The blade is remains bright but exhibits evidence of a light cleaning. The eagle and swastika marking exhibits light filing which could be a possible attempt at denazification by a souvenir hunting GI. The wood grip panels are intact and are held in place by the original pins and remain tight to the tang. This Fighting Knife is complete with its original scabbard that also exhibits a light cleaning. Generous amounts of its original black finish remain with areas of light rubbing, possibly from being worn in a boot or on a belt. This is a nice example of a World War II German Fighting Knife with an uncommon marking.
Historical Description: The typical German fighting knife of the World Wars was a conventional, general purpose knife, sturdily made, with a full tang and slab grips, and a steel scabbard. The blade length was about 6 inches long. Between 1914 and 1918, there were many makers of these knives, known as “Grabenmesser” (trench knives). Wooden handles were common, and most had a leather belt loop on the scabbard. Some of these knives were privately purchased by the soldiers, while others were issued items. There were many variations, including stag grips, solid metal handles, and even some with offset handles and slots that allowed them to be fixed to rifles, bayonet style.
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