handless 1917 trench knife & bolo blade

G

guysmalley

Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Messages
16
Hello,
I am a newbie collector and found two handless blades. I am having a custom knife builder who specializes in military knives make the handles. My question is down the road when I sell them or my family sells them, how do I explain that this knife has been restored? I believe in full discloser, but if done correctly down the road at what point does that repair become blurred with history? What is my responsibility as a collector? should the handle be marked or is it up to the buyer?

first post
-guy smalley
 
I don't think the handle needs to be marked to indicate that it is a restoration. I think the knife should be made as true to the original as possible, so that it is hard to tell that it is anything other than original. That is the point of restoration. Save the documentation of the restoration (sales receipt, correspondence, work instructions, etc.) and transfer them with the knife to a future owner. Then you will have done the right thing for the knife and the right thing for the buyer. What happens after that is outside of your control. A quality restoration will become part of the history of the knife and perhaps part of it's value.

Anyone who buys antiques knows that restorations may have been made and will be looking for signs of that and to some extent, is willing to accept the risk that not everything is original. That is the nature of antiques. Just don't try to deceive anyone and you will have nothing to feel guilty about.
 
Lurker
thanks, for your response. I feel comfortable the person is very into that period of knives and your suggestion of paperwork is a good idea. - guy
 
guysmalley--welcome to the forums! I'm very interested in your project. Can you post pictures? And who is doing the restoration for you? I presume you are referring to the U.S. 1917 trench knife, the one with the triangular blade and D-shaped knuckle guard.

Trencher with flanges.jpg
 
Thanks, tizwin
I found these two blades a little while back, they are two of my favorite shapes, I am having Dan Brock do the work, I know there has been some issues with the forum with him, but I try to stay out of politics when knives are involve! :eek: I like his work nice to me. I am excited to give some life back to some old deserving steel. I am new to collecting and like the military daggers, bolos & machetes, I don't have a big budget at least thats what my wife tells me. But as the collection grows she is getting into it. I am learning as I go but buy what I want to keep and enjoy the process. http://gallery.mac.com/guysmalley/100010 http://gallery.mac.com/guysmalley#100015
 
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