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Title WW1 fighting knife
Nationality Austrian
Period 1917/18
Sold

This was used at the end of the Great War, from 1917 on, by both the regular KuK and Honved elements of the old Austrian army. They were issued to frontline troops, such as storm battalions. It was such a popular knife that the Italian army used them in North Africa extensively in WW2.

There is a double eagle ordnance stamp punched into the guard and a small maker mark ('R') at the forte. The grip is beechwood and has shrunk somewhat, leaving the twin elements slightly loose on the hilt. However, it has its original leather belt loop. The paintwork is not the original, which would have been a field grey finish. The edge of the blade has suffered somewhat from sharpening, but still this remains a good example of its type.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Edged Weapons : Dirks : Austrian : 20th Century]

testimonials

I received the cockade today and am very pleased!

D B, UK, 27.12.2010

Hanger arrived safe and sound 11.30ish today. Very pleased, it's as expected. Your excellent pics make all the difference in terms of confident buying over the net. As a matter of interest, the frog, which as you said is very a/f, is, as you thought, 'spot on'. On closer inspection it is a mk.1 Naval Frog, designated 'for cutlasses'. Date seems around 1860ish give or take.

By the way, I think your site is very user friendly. Seems to work much better than many and up to date, a rarity!!!

C W, UK, 20.04.2006

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