German WWII fighting knife

[NEWFNL1A1]

Anyone have any input on this German WWII fighting knife?

It's a WWII Vet bring back (taken from the tunic of a captured German soldier in 1945) and traded to me in the 80's. The Vet was known to me for over 25 years (was like an uncle to me). No question it is authentic. He also had many other souvenirs like K98 bayos and officer swords) etc. His last assignment was patrolling German cities just after the surrender.

Plain handle (shimmed in one spot), very roughly finished blade (accurate angles/grinds but lots of grind marks), like it was done in a hurry. Cross guard is very tight and the blade is from thick heavy stock. Overbuilt compared to a Fairbairn-Sykes.

It has an all metal sheath (painted black) with a spring retention device and clip. Other sheath examples seen on the net have a different clip design.

The proofmark is a crown with a lower case d (or loop) and a straight line (or |) beneath the crown. No other marks are present. The proof and handle/cross guard detail is in the last pic.

Other examples of these type knives (I've seen on the net) are nicer finished (some with Bakelite handles) so I thought maybe it was made very late war with dwindling resources and the sounds of explosions in the distance. They also have differing sheaths (most were leather) and three rivets on the scales. There are some reproduction (re-enactor) knives that have this plain handle.

I have tried to ID the proofmark online but have been unsuccessful.

Pictured with a new Boker Trench Knife for scale. The last pic is from the web and depicts the way these knives were sometimes worn (as related by the Vet).

Any info on dates/manufacturer or anecdotal history would be appreciated.

[acolonelofcorn]

try asking on Bernard Levine's forum over on Bladeforums.

[NEWFNL1A1]

I will thank you!

[NEWFNL1A1]

I did find that blade mark on another site. I think it's a German Army acceptance mark (not a manufacturer mark). My stamp is not complete, the bottom of the mark is missing but matches. Gonna see if I can cross ref other acceptance marks (like on Luger's) that are better documented.

Haven't got around to joining that other site yet but looked it over.

No manufacturer mark, half stamped (worn) acceptance mark, "quick" construction, and the quality of the handle materials used, all reinforce my thinking this was produced very, very late in the war...close to the end.

Nothing wrong with the steel or temper though....wow!

The mark I found and my blade mark are below:

[FN FAL]

i have one that is very similar so i am also interested, damn sharp blade too

[NEWFNL1A1]

Originally Posted by FN FAL

i have one that is very similar so i am also interested, damn sharp blade too

Does yours have a similar scabbard? Of all the examples I've seen on the net, I've not seen one with the same style clip as mine.

Would you consider putting up a pic or two of yours?

[FN FAL]

Originally Posted by NEWFNL1A1

Does yours have a similar scabbard? Of all the examples I've seen on the net, I've not seen one with the same style clip as mine.

Would you consider putting up a pic or two of yours?

the scabbard is similar but not the clip, mine has a plastic loop, mine is an eickhorn solingen, marked just above the guard on the left side, i'll post pics if i can find the knife