UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Hunting, Forestry, and Shooting Forum F Dula with a twist

Tom Wittmann has one for sale @ $1995.00.

Yes, since days, but condition is VERY poor.
Regards,

I saw Tom's one at the SOS before he bought it, I turned it down because of the condition and I do not turn these things down often.

Gary

Really an interesting and rich thread to read through.

It's interesting to me that Paul's piece has a professional hunters knot on it and I believe it is original to the piece, also the picture in wear that is shown earlier in this thread shows a standard green accented hunting knot, I have a couple that have DJ badges on them, one let into the grip and one members pin on the scabbard of another, it's easy to assume that these knives were for the DJ members only but I don't believe that to be the case, at least some were awarded and some given as gifts, I do suspect though that most were bought by DJ members, I also think further information will come to light as more of these are seen, if anybody can add further examples to this thread I'd love to see them, I have been asked a few times about how many of these were produced, I wish I knew and have no real idea, they are tough to find in any sort of condition and I thought long and hard before turning down the one that is now on Tom Wittmann's site.

Gary

I can confirm that this piece has the set in place look of a knot that's been there for a very long time, but judging by it's almost mint state I guess the owner was more an administrator than a hunter!
As an aside, I've been pondering the F.DULA maker mark. Theory: We know Walter Frevert approached Otto Dula to manufacture this knife, taking out a patent with him in 1936, prior to the manufacture being taken over by the Dittert concern. So why not O DULA?. Unless WAlter also wanted his stamp on the design, but finding 'FREVERT DULA ' to be to long to fit the narrow ricasso,It was shortened to F.DULA??
Thoughts?
Paul

Paul

I believe it was Friedrich Aloysius Dula the Father of Otto Dula whom the company was named after.

Gary

Ah dear old Friedrich! Now we know! thanks Gary I've been wondering for a while-should have gone straight to the top and saved all that brain power LOL
P

I do have some more information regarding these knives but it is in German and I need to get it translated first. I do know that the scabbards were produced with and without the pocket for the skinner by the firm of Hruby from Hachenburg, I need to research this firm as well.

Gary

It's taken me some while to go through all my period advertising to find this but it proves that these things were sold with and without skiing knives.
The first picture is from a period hunting magazine(Deutsche Jagd) from May 1936, I believe this is prior to the date of the patent but does show that these knives were produced earlier on in 1936. It also does not have the DRGM stated as does the 2nd advert which would make sense prior to the patent.
The second picture is from the same hunting magazines but dated December 1938, it clearly shows a different advert and has an option to sell without the small knife.
I do wonder in the first advert the meaning of the (2 31*), would that possibly mean that you could get a discount down to RM31 if you bought two of these????

Gary

period reference goodies is the best!!!!

good job Gary

James, yes without doubt period reference is the best, just looking at the 2nd advert again helps me determine what I had always thought about this particular Dula and the markings on the rear,
The advert states these knives were
Das Gebrauchsmesser des Forst-beamten

"HFB"
Heer Forst beamten

I'd always thought the chequered grips on this piece were specially ordered at the time.

Thanks

Gary

Just found this great book written by Walter Frevert who designed the F Dula knife, there is one picture in it showing what I believe is a very early F Dula knife, the book is dated July 1935 so over a year prior to the patent. What is interesting about this picture is the use of metal mounts on the scabbard similar to the example I show, I've looked for a long time to prove that this type of scabbard is original to the knife and that they used these type of mounts on the early F Dula's.

Gary

wow Gary,that is really beautiful scabbard, of course including the dagger, what a find,congrats

Just awesome Gary seeing that period ad, that is one hell of a find.
About that initial production F.Dula Waidbesteck: IMO the best scabbard ever on a F.Dula.

Regards
Ger

I'm up to No 14

Gary

last couple

Close up of the name on the skinner.

Thanks for showing, Gary. Merry Christmas.

Dave

Thanks Dave
This is the first time I have come across one of these without either F. Dula or DRGM or both on the blade of either the skinner or main knife, I presume the name is of the original owner and he ordered it that way.

Merry Christmas to you to

Gary

Lovely addition Gary!
Again it shows we havent seem all there is!!
I was Lucky enough to add a few myself this year, they are impressive!

Ger

Appreciate the images. Congrats. and thanks.

--dj--Joe

I came accross this one some time ago, its an early one, so without the D.R.G.M. marking.
Set is in stone mint condition, has the early left knot strap and whats even more interesting it has as pigskin scabbard, sofar the first one for me.

Regards
Ger

Ger
Wow, what a super set, and the condition, fantastic.
What a great find. You have done it Again.
Clearly shows where Puma got the White Hunter.
Congrats
Ed

That is a beautiful set, Ger.

Congratulations.

John

I just opened up a parcel from Germany containing 3 F.Dula's, love these great hunting sets.
Also an overview with a large bowie which has a Dula scabbard, that one is only marked with: Handwerk
I was able to buy the 3 Dula's from a friend of a hunting blades collector who passed away recently.
He also had an exact same Bowie in the same pattern Dula scabbard, so there has been made at least a small batch of these Bowies having Dula scabbards.

Best
Ger

Looks like what you’d see in an F. Dula museum, if one were ever to exist. What a mix of colors and stag textures. Great work Ger!

Question? What is the current time frame that collectors think F. Dula made these blades. 1930s to????

James

From the little information that I have been able to piece together and from dated examples I have I would say from 1935-????, who knows when the last one was produced, probably early war time either 1940 or 41. I'd be interested in any information on production dates you may have in your archives as there is not much out there on them.
We do know that there are some early post war Eickhorn examples out there but I have not heard of any F Dula marked examples either post war or pre 1935 but who really knows?.

Gary

I have not posted answer.
Dula was still in business in the 1960s and assembling these knives.
Have many entries where they are also buying parts and weidblatt blades from Solingen firms in the 60s
Yes Dula was making these up until the 60s... No doubt about it. This posting is not a opinion it is fact.
Also as most know Horster, Eickhorn, Puma, Hubertus, Linder and a few others made this (style) postwar. I'm sure this has been posted already.
Early post war Eickhorns have blade stamped by hilt with trademark etc.. Modern Eickhorns 1970s on do not have this stamp..
Can currently buy a new one from Puma or Hubertus.. And new scabbard overstocks always for sale on E-bay.

IMO the F.Dula marked knives are all pre War time; never saw one that was post war.
Only the marked Eickhorn, Puma and Hubertus ones are post war ones.

I am not confident how to post pics; will ask my son later...
Important is to know that the period DULA knives are marked DRGM; ( Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster )
DRGM was used from 1891 till end of WWII on military objects and arms; Sometimes till 1952 for music instruments and toys.
It was a way for inventors to register a product's design in all states within Germany, and protect their design and item for maximum a period of 6 years ( two times 3 years )
As patent fees in Germany were extremely high ( 35 times higher than USA ) many designers or small munufacturers choose to go for that limited copyright.
Items stamped with DRP ( Deutsches Reichspatent) were protected for 15 years.
Conclusion on the DULA knifes stamped DRGM : from around 1935; till 1941....

I will quickly correct a few misconceptions regarding F Dula knives the main one being that they were all stamped with the DRGM mark, I can say without a doubt that not all F Dula knives are marked with DRGM only those produced after the patent date of September 1936, anything that was made prior to that date was not stamped with DRGM and as far as I am aware no F Dula waidblatt/waidbesteck as we know them were produced post war though it is clear that Friedrich Dula did continue to produce knives post war though not of this type.

If you look back in this thread you will see at least two Dula's that I have that are not DRGM stamped, you will also see a page from a book by Frevert dated 1935 where he shows a picture of a Dula with metal scabbard mounts, this one would have been without the DRGM mark as they were not patented by this time.

Gary

yes Garry ; that sounds logic :
non marked DRGM is early
marked DRGM from 1936 till 1942...

Posting these comparison shots for Philippe of his F Dula and a very early post war Eickhorn Waidblatt.

Gary

James

You kindly showed me a page from your files showing Dula was producing knives into the 1960's but as far as I recall it never mentioned Waidblatts, I do know you like to keep things to yourself regarding your reference material and I respect that but it would help this thread enormously if we could at least see some evidence of this, the type of reference material you have from F Dula as you are aware is not currently available to download from the Internet as I have been looking for years to add to my own reference regarding these knives, I leave it to you if you decide you want to enlighten us with these startling and very new facts regarding this blade smith.

Gary

Gary the little snippet of information I sent you was a favor to you and to tell you to be careful..
Gary you have had experiences with me. I believe I'm very generous with some collectors to a fault and you know it is not (ALL) about money with me..
Questions that need to be answered before a opinion can be posted stating that F. Dula did not make any of these knives postwar.
What year did F. Dula stop business??? 40s 50s 60s 70s . And if he was still in business after the war what kind of knives did he sell , make or assemble??
Do you believe it was pocket knives ,small hunting knives ?? Joke... What style knife was F. Dula known for??
Always finding new information and I know it can be upsetting if not on internet.. But we as collectors ALL have information we do not share because we have invested to much time and money to give it away. Funny in the same ledger I can tell you how much Jim Atwood spent with Eickhorn and the dates.

Careful over what James, I've disclosed nothing other than you sent me a page from your files, I haven't released any detailed information from that page, you know if you send me anything I will not disclose any details from it.
I don't think we are playing a game here, how would I know what year Dula stopped making knives or went out of business, if it's not on the Internet or readily available for viewing then I would have to guess and probably be wrong, you are the only person on the planet that can answer those questions.

I fully understand just how much time, effort and money you have spent amassing your reference material but if your not going to at least provide the basic information then what is the point in collecting this reference or even even mentioning it in the first place, it's very frustrating that you tantalise us with these questions knowing full well that we do not know the answer, only you can decide how much you are willing to release publically and with all real collectors it's never about the money, you know this, I don't give a damm about what things cost, for me reference material is all about sharing and advancing the hobby so we can all learn so unless you are going to reproduce and sell the copies to collectors we are going to go around in circles and I don't want to play those games especially when these knives and their history is so important to me.

Please remember that as far as I know Freidrich Dula only produced the blades and the knife was put together by JE Dittert out of Marburg so I presume that if Dula was producing blades after the war then could he not have been producing the blades for any number of companies, perhaps these other companies who assembled these knives preferred to have their name on the blade so unless you have that kind of information then it's pure conjecture that he produced Dula's after the war with his name on it. Do you have the information that he produced and marked Waidblatts with his name post war?? did he make them to exactly the same specification??, if you have that sort of information I think you should at lease provide us with the specifics.

You have to do something with all this reference material you have, you cannot just hoard this, you even mention that it can be upsetting if the information is not on the internet, it's about as frustrating as it gets for me knowing that the information is within my grasp but it's never going to be disclosed, I know you understand just how important your reference files could be, the balls in your court, we have been through this many times and yet you still amass more and more and do nothing with it that I know of, I am more than willing to pay for the information I need about these knives if that's what you want.

Gary

(Be careful..)
This refers to buying F. Dula items thinking they are all made before 1945
That is what (be careful ) means.. Not a threat at all.. Again just giving you a heads up...