Unidentified Fighting knife

[zaxfire69]

Hey guys. I received this knife today on a trade. The fellow said the knife belonged to his Great Uncle who was in WWII. It is a double blade design with no visible markings. I Can tell it is old, because the brass cap at the end of the handle is worn through. No visible markings that I can see. I love the knife as a display piece. Let me know what you knife experts think. Thanks on advance.

 

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[TNGUNS]

With no markings I would assume it is custom made. Very common for people to make out files and such. Many an old farmer etc. knew how to temper steel. Really a cool old knife. ........just a guess but thats my 2 cents.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Agreed. Could be a fighting knife made by a soldier with the materials he had handy. In World War I and II soldiers made these knives, some cut down from long bayonets or short swords. The brass was commonly from artillery shell casings.

 

[AlabamaRelic]

It doesn't look like much wear on the handle. I would say homemade 1970's.

 

[zaxfire69]

Homemade 1970's ouch. Wow.

 

[boris]

I remember something similar on sale called a"Tennessee toothpick" perhaps Civil War?

 

[savant365]

I'm gonna go with hand made also and as far as a date If you look at the spacing between the rivets in the handle they are all different, I doubt that this knife was made in a factory or mass produced. Still a cool knife so if your happy with the trade all is good.

Charlie

 

[zaxfire69]

The handle has me confused. It can be scratched with my fingernail. I don't know what it is made out of. It is very soft. Or brittle.

 

[zaxfire69]

I have been researching and have found a term Theater knife. Could this be a theater knife that this fellow carried along with him during the war. The fellow that carried this was an MP During the war. Just trying to put the pieces together.

 

[uglymailman]

My Dad's Uncle made knives. He made Dad one he carried in WW2. Made from a file and very good steel. I'm betting home made like them. I still have a couple of his knives.

 

[dustytrails123]

The south didnt have it as easy as the north so many things werent made from the factory it was hand made from material they had at there disposal....most things from the confederate army is faked because of that same reason the style is that of the arkansas tooth pick but you got to ask yourself does it appear to be of the time period? is the handle worn from use? is the iron pitted or showing any signs of age?...i dont see any i would have to pass on buying something that looks so pristine that is suppose to be 100 years old

 

[zaxfire69]

The iron blade is pitted. The handle is worn, but in good shape. The hand guard is a little loose and the brass heel cap is worn in the center showing the iron underneath. I'm not 100% sure of its creation, but it belonged to a MP during WW2. That is the story the fellow told me. I like the knife and I might could put an edge on it.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The south didnt have it as easy as the north so many things werent made from the factory it was hand made from material they had at there disposal....most things from the confederate army is faked because of that same reason the style is that of the arkansas tooth pick but you got to ask yourself does it appear to be of the time period? is the handle worn from use? is the iron pitted or showing any signs of age?...i dont see any i would have to pass on buying something that looks so pristine that is suppose to be 100 years old

Maybe I missed it but I dont think he ever said anything about the Civil War. Wrong century.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Yes!

I have been researching and have found a term Theater knife. Could this be a theater knife that this fellow carried along with him during the war. The fellow that carried this was an MP During the war. Just trying to put the pieces together.

 

[TerryC]

would say the proper name for such a knife would be a DIRK. I think. collected some blades back in the '70s and '80s. My faves were Randall knives, out of Orlando. Even had one he etched my name in. He would stop civilian production and only do troops' requests during the Viet Conflict. Today, many knifemakers around. Nice instrument there, Zax! Why is part of my post in itallics? TTC

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Why is part of my post in itallics? TTC

You may have accidentally clicked on the new TN option for "first sentence italics". We have an option for everything. Excuse me while I search through a thousand smileys.

 

[zaxfire69]

I will Do more research on Dirk. I put some naval jelly on the blade to remove the rust on it. It had a little surface rust on it. I like it much better now. Still has a sharp edge to it. It is made well.

 

[Gunrunner61]

Are the Grips made of Bakelite, The stuff that came before that was around during the first world war, I'd have to say hand made
the rivets look handmade too. Not sure why But it screams WWI, Maybe trench work, Alot of the guys would make all kinda stuff
the trenches were very dull during the interludes between fighting....jmho.......HH and a cool knife.

 

[TerryC]

A representative Scottish Dirk.... TTC

 

[zaxfire69]

Bakelite. That is the word I was trying to remember. I think it could be Bakelite. If it is WWI then I have tons of relics from that time period I could display with it. I'm glad I made the trade. Hopefully we will be able to mark this as solved soon.