Vintage Anton Wingen WWII Knife

[Jake Knapp]

My Grandfather, Bob Knapp was in the South Pacific during WWII and carried this knife, which eventually saved his life in hand to hand combat after some Japanese soldiers snuck into his camp looking for food/supplies. It is marked, "A. WINGEN JR, SOLINGEN GERMANY" on one side, and "OTHELLO, SOLINGEN" on the other, with an image of a man's head. Could anyone tell me more about it, such as the time period they were produced, etc?

[anvilring]

It was made after WW2... that's most likely why it has "Germany" in english (thus 'for export'), on the blade.

It's a look and style of manufacture (particularly the hafting...) that was popular in the 50's and 60's when these were imported here by the the thousands.

[Jake Knapp]

Thanks - my Grandma thought this was the knife, but apparently not...This is the second knife she has given me.

Hopefully I'll be able to track down the right one!

[Jake Knapp]

I don't doubt your word at all, but just a few quick Q's:

1) So prior to WWII, these knives were not marked "Germany" in English at all?

2) I have seen a few knives with exact marking on eBay claiming to be from the 1930's...so they're most likely mistaken?

Thanks for your time.

[gbuskirk]

You won't learn one good thing about knives from Ebay sellers' descriptions. Stick around here, and you will learn.
Such markings could be used to date a knife to post-1890, and perhaps to exclude certain (war) years, but cannot establish an earlier-than date. They could release a knife with those markings tomorrow.

You asked

So prior to WWII, these knives were not marked "Germany" in English at all?

but the key point is not markings, but whether "these knives" - with this style of guard, stag handle, riveting, and aluminum pommel, etc., existed prior to WWII. One would have to check Wingen catalogs from before the war. This style was very common in the 50's-70's.

You will read here often "read the knife; ignore the markings....unless they happen to agree with what the knife says".

[Thomas Linton]

That was a popular blade pattern pre-WWII.

[CWL]

Isn't that just a copy of the original Webster Marble's Woodcraft knife patented in 1916? The patent expired in 1934 and has been copied ever since.

[Jake Knapp]

I remember him showing me the knife just one time, many many years ago. I can't remember if it was German made or from England. One thing I am sure of though, is that it had a bone (stag) handle. I appreciate all the input, and hope to arrive at a definite answer.

[Jake Knapp]

Isn't that just a copy of the original Webster Marble's Woodcraft knife patented in 1916? The patent expired in 1934 and has been copied ever since.

If so, then this knife could quite possibly have been made prior to WWII...interesting.

[anvilring]

That was a popular blade pattern pre-WWII.

And a popular blade pattern now as well; whoever owns the Marble's trademark is making them as we speak. It was called a woodcraft. However "look" how the blade is finished; this isn't akin to a war era Marble's or Case. It's, at least to me, a modern blade. Circa post WW2.

Lastly, how - long - is - the - blade??? Don't keep us in suspense! My guess is that's a really BIG woodcraft!

The spine leading up to the swedge on the old Case and Marbles patterns was not only curved, but "rounded off" i.e. not square with the flats. So done as that's where a finger, no matter how long or short, rests when skining out game. My guess is yours is flat Less comfortable, less work, less craftsmanship, newer knife.... a guess of course!


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[Jake Knapp]

Overall length is 8.75", blade is 4.5" (4" sharpened). The spine is curved, and slightly rounded - not a lot, but a bit, though it's hard to tell from the crappy iPhone pic.

[Jake Knapp]

The only thing I did to the knife was polish it up with a bit of Flitz to get rid of the rust/patina, as I don't plan on ever selling it.

[Jake Knapp]

I have seen 2 Wingen Woodcraft knives on Worthpoint.com that are identical in size and nearly identical in looks from 1930-1937.

[tltt]

The Woodcraft style was a stock pattern across 100's of makers and importers since it's invention, I agree it does look like a early post war knife. but we have seen these export german knives imported slightly before WWII. You'd still need to check actual Wingen catalogs to see if they were involved.

What might of happened is that this was a replacement for an older knife, or similar to one he carried during the war. I've seen that before, non-knife people tend to remember shapes rather than brand. So it might not be the exact knife, but close enough in memory.

[Jake Knapp]

Thanks. I'd love to get ahold of some Wingen catalogs and compare.

I own hundreds of folders, but will readily admit I don't know much about fixed blades, especially older ones.

[gbuskirk]

I have seen 2 Wingen Woodcraft knives on Worthpoint.com that are identical in size and nearly identical in looks from 1930-1937.

Would you mind posting these links?

[Jake Knapp]

I should have said, "claiming" to be pre-war - certainly doesn't mean they are, but here are a couple - let me know what you think:

Blade shape on this is different, but the handle with rivets is the same:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...dian-108240213

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...e-anton-wingen

http://www.thematsa.com/servlet/the-...OLINGEN/Detail

[Jake Knapp]

Does anyone know where I may be able to find some Wingen catalogs?

[makandr]

I can not say with certainty a knife is pre-war or post-war. Probably after the WW2.

[Jake Knapp]

My Grandma is pretty adamant about the fact that Grandpa never purchased another knife after WWII - he used the one he bought before the war for all his future camping, etc...