UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons The BCN Bayonet Forum WWI Trench Knife

I think the H on the handle is a unit mark for the Hussars. But could be wrong any opinions from the bayonet forum?

I'd assume "Hermann" before I'd assume Hussar...

Unit markings are extremely rare in the wood (never seen one on a bayonet I believed in.. ersatz flaregun is only one I recall off hand; - there is the EWB/PwB/BS etc… that shows up on post war weapons but not the same thing as EWB was a militia and PwB a police unit etc..), and they usually follow a pattern we are familiar with, actually of the several hundred trench knives I have in my files and have seen in hand I can't recall more than one or two with any type of unit marking and when they do pop up its more on the bard rather than on the knife, though I have seen one or two on the knife that I think are realdeal.

Of course its anyone’s guess as to the meaning of the lone “H” and nearly for sure no way to authenticate it to 1918 or 1988…

Rarely seen regimental markings on trench knives and never seen any in this version. It can be an initial of the owner.

As graf pointed out, the markings should be on the scabbard or on the knife. Here is a Clemment & Jung that I exchange from a collector years ago.

Regards,

Keith

Here's the markings. Anyone knows what 154R.1.R means ?

The H is for Hitler when he saw service in WW1 :-)

Seriously it looks like a fine boot knife!

aurelia,
Your unit mark stands for Fusilier-/Grenadier/Infanterie-Regiment. Here is a pix off Whittmann's site of a Disziplinar- Abteilung (Disciplinary Detachment) unit marked knife.

And another one of a Jager unit mark on the scaber.

154th was part of the 9th Division, which fought on the Western Front the duration of the war (Verdun); it was a Division formed from Lower Silesia.

The 9th Division was rated quite well in the "251 Divisions of the German Army" but seems to have seen a bit too much action for its own good- saw tons of action/casualties.

I could look through Intelligence summaries if you have a particular interest in something/time frame. (You sure the unit mark isn’t 154.R.1.K ?)

Interesting examples presented here, all pretty non-standard unit markings typical of the 1915/16 period (where when you do find unit markings they tend to be a little less refined, if you know what I mean.. not of the pre-war standard- with some character, the ersatz are the oddest sometimes)

The discipline unit is interesting too though I wonder what other items have been observed with such a unit marking? Have to say this is the first knife/weapon I could agree to have a unit marking in the wood- now try and locate some data on such a unit!

quote:

Originally posted by aurelia:
Here's the markings. Anyone knows what 154R.1.R means ?

Nice pieces, I didn't know some of those were marked. I have always wanted one, but I'm to cheap.

Hello Dow & Graf,

Much APPRECIATED for the interesting information. Yes, Graf, it should be 154.R.1.K (not R).

With best regards,

Keith

Here is a pix of a 89 RGT unit marked S bayonet I own with W H scrathed into the hilt. I belive this is probadly the intials of the orginal owner. I have seen similar pattern scratch ingraving on other bayonets.

Regimental markings on the blade of a trench knife from a fellow collector. This one is interesting.

Overall pix