UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons HJ Edged Weapons Forum German Police Bayonet Letter Opener?

Can someone help me identify this item. It looks to be a German Police Bayonet Letter Opener. The blade total length is 8 3/4in and is razor sharp on one side. It has an aluminum German Police emblem on the handle. No other markings can be seen due to the rust/tarnish on it.

Story goes...I got this from a woman who obtained it from a rental house of hers. A friend of hers stay there for about three yrs. He had a lot of stuff from his Father, who was in the British army, But her friend up and left out of state, and she doesn't know where he went, and he left everything behind. She had his stuff for over 6yrs and never heard anything from him. So she decided it was time to get rid of all his stuff and this bayonet/letter opener was one of the items.

I have search the internet and all of the reference books I have, but I can not find an example of this item. Any information on it would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan

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Looks to me like a WWI close-combat knife with a 3rd Reich Police dagger eagle stuck on the grips ! May be a MADE-TO-ORDER souvenir after WWII to bring home ! Regards, Bernd .

It appears to be one of the small letter openers that was made in the form of a bayonet in the years between WWI and WWII. There are numerous variations, some highly detailed with a mock rifle slot and press stud, and others being simplified designs like this example.

Hundreds of thousands of these were produced between the wars, and plenty were available after WWII as well. I would say that the presence of the Police eagle on this was a marketing ply just to make the item saleable to the Occupation forces after WWII.

I recommend the book "Miniature Bayonets" by Roger D. C. Evans, where numerous similar examples are shown.

FJS