German Trench Knife?

AlaChoctaw

AlaChoctaw

Joined
Jul 17, 1999
Messages
795
Can you help me identify: Sold a while back as "German Trench Knife".6"blade with 3" false edge.OAL 10 3/4". Unfinished wooden grips.Blade marked (left side) ERN and wald.....,(right side).......ermesser.Metal sheath with leather belt loop and retaining strap.It's sharp and in pretty decent shape for surplus.Any help appreciated!

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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."


 
Come on guys! Give me a hand here! By the way,the knife is definitely German military by the markings, according to a friend.This is my last try!

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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."


 
Try Craig Gottleib over in the non-specific mfr. forum. I beleive he collects German military knives.
My German is old and rusty (sort of like me), but I believe "waldmesser" translates into
"woods knife."


--Mike L.


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Real men ride Moto Guzzis!
 
Your description is a little vague. But it sound like you have a German WWII fighting knife. They are pretty common, and I am fairly certain that either Smoky Moutains Knifeworks, or Brigade Quartermasters had them in their catalog recently. Most of the examples I've seen had grooved or ridge wooden slabs for handles.

The 3 letter marking is probably the official code for the knife manufacturer, unfortunately I am currently on a Business trip and unable to look it up for you.
 
Not2sharp, you are describing the right knife.If you come up with anything later, I would appreciate the info.

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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."


 
Ok, just got back.

Acording to Levine's fourth edition the knife is a WWI trench knife. There appears to be a wide variation in the pattern with some types single edged (with sharp false edge) and others fully double edged. Levine places the value in the $75-100.00 range.

As for the markings on the blade:

ERN is the trademark of the C. Friedrich ERN, ERN- Raisiermesserfabrik which operated from december 1874 until 1972.

The full trade mark would have been stamped either:

1) ERN (over) RASIERMESSERFABRIK - not your knife.

- or -

2) ERN (over) WALD-RHEIN - now we got it!

The company is know for the trench knives it produced during WWI. However, the name RASIERMESSERFABRIK is german for razor factory; hence, an indication of the company's peacetime role.

Hope this helps.

 
You have really pegged it! Thanks, not2sharp.your info fits exactly with the little that I knew or suspected.It's just a random piece in my collection,but now I know a little of its story.Thanks again!

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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."


 
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