Mystery Knife

C

Choctaw Dan

Joined
Feb 2, 2024
Messages
343
I got this knife at a gun show many years back, largely because it intrigued me. It was rust-pitted and then polished. I didn't pay very much for it.

The handle and guard resemble Marbles but there are a few leather rings missing, so the handle could have been swapped from another knife. So far I have been unable to find anything even close.

What is this? (There are no markings anywhere.)

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It's German or French, post WWII. The French made some in that style and a few German firms also. I'm not sure who copied who. It wasn't a popular style, at least in the States, and faded away quickly. The larger but similar "African Hunter" patterns - https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2018/1/22/8/1/d/81d5f5da-453a-4a44-891d-35f404e091c5.jpg , proved way more popular. The grind, metal sheath toe, and stouter build make me think this one is German. The French models tend to be flat ground and a little lighter.

G germania is a wiz at German cutlery, he might know more.
 
Yes, knife's a mystery. From Plato to Heidegger, no one's been able to figure it all out...

But that does look like one of those Solingen Bowie knives, with a bit of a regrind out front.
 
tltt said:
It's German or French, post WWII. The French made some in that style and a few German firms also. I'm not sure who copied who. It wasn't a popular style, at least in the States, and faded away quickly. The larger but similar "African Hunter" patterns - https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2018/1/22/8/1/d/81d5f5da-453a-4a44-891d-35f404e091c5.jpg , proved way more popular. The grind, metal sheath toe, and stouter build make me think this one is German. The French models tend to be flat ground and a little lighter.

G germania is a wiz at German cutlery, he might know more.
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THANKS!
 
Looks like somebody took the handle off of it, brazed some balls on the guard, and did a regrind. My first thought was a big Western, or maybe Kabar. Wouldn't have a clue which model......
 
I do not think it has been re-handled or reground. I think it may be a French Sabatier, as I found on Ebay a large Sabatier Hunting knife with a just about identical handle and guard with the balls on the end. John
 
I think I've only seen that type of guard on old Hubertus knives, and the blade style as well. Also Carl Schlieper.
 
KenHash said:
I think I've only seen that type of guard on old Hubertus knives, and the blade style as well. Also Carl Schlieper.
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Both of which support a German origin, I guess.

John A. Larsen said:
I do not think it has been re-handled or reground. I think it may be a French Sabatier, as I found on Ebay a large Sabatier Hunting knife with a just about identical handle and guard with the balls on the end. John
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Thanks for the lead. On eBay there are several Sabatier knives with the same guard.

justjed said:
My first thought was a big Western, or maybe Kabar. Wouldn't have a clue which model......
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I'm virtually certain it is neither a Western Cutlery nor a Union Cutlery (Ka-Bar).
 
Yeah, I probably oughta tape my typing fingers when I've had a coupla bowls of herbal medicinal supplement. Unfortunately, I've never been too afraid of looking like a dumbass, on occasion. I try not to make a habit of it, tho...
 
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