2ad3a32e_es__World_War_II__Nazi_Germany__Description
[Grade] E [Item #] D244 [Description] 
Close Combat Trench Knife, no maker. Close combat or "trench knives" have been around for hundreds of years, but they weren't produced in great quantities by the military until WWI. Bayonets were readily available but they proved to be too heavy and too long to be affective in close combat situations. For this reason some soldiers purchased shorter hunting style knives for use in the field. By 1915 German edged weapons manufacturers started to produce the smaller close combat knives in greater quantities when they saw the demand for something more practical. By the close of WWI the smaller knives became more and more popular so German edged weapon manufacturers started to produce a wide range of close combat trench knives in both ordnance issue and private purchase variations. This knife features a 5.25" inch drop forged steel blade with no maker's mark. It shows evidence of use with numerous light surface scratches and a sharpened edge. It retains 50% of the original black enamel on the steel cross guard and features beautifully hand carved hardwood grips with 9 diagonal groves on either side. The grip plates are secured to the blade tang with 3 small flat head steel rivets. The original dent free steel scabbard retains 80% of the original black enamel with numerous small surface scratches. The leather belt hanger and retaining strap are still soft and pliable with no damage. The hanger is attached to the scabbard with 2 steel rivets while the retaining strap is secured with one rivet of the same type. The original snap is just like the ones we see on canteens and is functioning perfectly. Overall this beauty is still in excellent condition despite obvious combat use.
Third Reich Depot, military collectables, World War II, Nazi Germany
Description