THE KNIFE/DAGGER MODEL 1916: "LE VENGEUR DE 1870"
(THE AVENGER OF 1870)
The knife/dagger 1916 is the last regulation French model of First World War and the only one they could tell to be of a manufacture well-manicured and made to last. This weapon was offered by the house PRODON of Thiers in 1915 and was retained in 1916 under the name of couteau poignard Mle 1916 (knife dagger Mle 1916). It was used until the second world war. It was equipment for the infantry and the tank regiments. The extra hard steel blade carries several markings, but not all have the mythical inscription "le vengeur de 1870".
Several markings exist (can be others too!):
1. "ASTIER-PRODON .THIERS" in the shape of circle with a clover inside.
2. A flower of lily with "DÉPOSÉ" underneath (house DELAIRE.)
3. A crown horizontal or vertical with "DELAIRE" written across
4. "COUTELLERIE THIERS " in a double circle with "31 BRESSET" inside.
5. "L.PRADEL" horizontal.
6. "PATAUD" written in a half circle.
7. "PATAUD" with "THIERS" written horizontal below.
8. "S.G.C.O" in an oval.
9. An Chinese head with "BOURGADE" making the plait.
10. A single clover leaf.
11. "41" with "GONON" in half circle underneath.
12. "8" with "CHABROL" in vertical underneath.
13. "76" which corresponds to BESSET-MURE.
14. Nothing at all
The first models do not have a ferrule ring, the guard is out of mild steel and comprises the marking of reception ("B" under a sometimes absent star). The handle out of hardwood is fixed thanks to a slotted round nut for hook-spanner on silk.
At last, one good question: the nickname "le vengeur de 1870 (the avenger of 1870)" is it an act of propaganda or of merchandising?
