Imperial Boot Knife – Unmarked

Product Description: This Imperial Boot Knife has loads of character and a real “combat” look. The blade shows some age, with some graying here and there. It has been sharpened, and the tip profile has been changed, possibly a result of the tip of the blade being broken when this knife was in use. The handle shows honest wear. Most of the original plated finish is still present on the pommel and crossguard. The checkered Bakelite grip plates are worn from handling, and one of them has a small, stable crack below the lower rivet. The metal scabbard of this Imperial boot knife shows some typical age, wear and patination, but still retains most of the original black painted finish. The leather belt strap is still present, and held in place with the original rivets, but the retaining strap is broken, and the snap is gone. This “been there” fighting knife is over 100 years old, and remains in very good condition overall.

Historical Description: The typical German fighting knife of the World Wars was a conventional, general purpose knife, sturdily made, with a full tang and slab grips, and a steel scabbard. The blade length was about 6 inches long. Between 1914 and 1918, there were many makers of these knives, known as “Grabenmesser” (trench knives). Wooden handles were common, and most had a leather belt loop on the scabbard. Some of these knives were privately purchased by the soldiers, while others were issued items. There were many variations, including stag grips, solid metal handles, and even some with offset handles and slots that allowed them to be fixed to rifles, bayonet style.

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