UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Hunting, Forestry, and Shooting Forum Verlangerungsmesser

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- SO,, it appears as a fixed blade.


does not fold, the blade retracts into the handle like the G. Hammesfahr Nr. 7043. There is a button near the pommel to release the blade.

has a silver-blade cover, to convert the knife to a silver blade fruit knife. - very rare knife also came with the original leather sheath.

- * So the button releases the blade to the extra / actual full-length blade.. That,is a very nice piece, thanks for the treat of showing us!...,Gaspare

I posted 7 Dec. 2022 on page 1 of this thread:

"This probably early 20th century wood handle Verlangerungsmesser was posted by Colin Davis on 6/10/2007 as "Unknown German hunting knife" on German Daggers.com. The bolster is marked "Gesetzlich Geschutzt" (Legally Protected) with an anchor in between. The term "Gesetzlich Geschutzt" is 1899 or later. Note that this model has a spear blade which is probably before 1945."

On 10 April 2024 one of these Verlangerungsmesser sold on the popular auction site for $229.50 + $10.50 S+H. The blade is marked "GESETZL. GESCHUTZT" over "No 354". Seller notes "The front bolster (ferrule) locks the blade open. The rear bolster (ferrule) locks the blade closed."

This locking device is probably why the bolster is marked "Gesetzlich Geschutzt" (Legally Protected) with an anchor in between. I did not bid on this example; the blade is in good condition with some nicks and the sheath was in poor condition, missing part of the sheath.

***Note that the handle could be horn and not wood. The seller did not note handle material.

C. J. W.-20609

Harry Selby (1925-2018), African professional hunter, game conservationist and wildlife photographer was presented with a Spanish style Verlangerungsmesser (extension-knife) in 1952.

Note that the Spanish style extension knives usually have water buffalo horn handle scales, and the scales are secured with two screws. This Spanish style extension knife also has a Spanish style folding guard.

Spanish style extension knives are also found with Stag scales, etched blades and some examples are marked TOLEDO.

Harry Selby's Spanish extension knife (made 1952 or before) was offered for sale in 2016.

C. Wetzel-20609

My friend from Oberkirch, "Mr. K.", has a new knife collector friend with some V-messers.

"Mr. K." sent some photos of 3 V-messers his new friend owns, two are probably newer models by Othello (1937-1987 maker's mark) and Hugo Koller (unmarked).

The third unmarked example is shown and is very interesting with a sheath that has an old-style metal buckle on the securing strap.

G. Hammesfahr was one maker that used a sheath with a metal buckle instead of a snap fastener on the securing strap

I am not sure who the maker of this V-messer is, but I sure do like it.

C. Wetzel-20609

Yeah I like that one too C.W. Looks like it'll fit in a hand nice and comfortable.. Great condition too.......

A fancy bolster Verlangerungsmesser is noted on the German version of a popular auction site listed for 1,650 Euros.

Listed by owner as made about 1900-1910 and
Länge geschlossen 23,5cm
Länge geöffnet 32,5cm
Klingenlänge bis zum Ricasso 21 cm

So, I asked my friend "Mr. K." of Oberkirch if the dates were correct. "Mr. K." an advanced knife collector replied: "Yes that is the period. These (fancy bolster type V-Messers) were made from 1870 or 80 to 1920 or 30."

"Mr. K." once dated my "E. Witte, Trier" fancy bolster type V-messer about 1890-1900. A search on Ancestry.com found there was an Ernst Witte in Trier, born 1871 and died 1919. This person would be about the right age of a person to be the maker or distributor of my V-messer. No other E. Witte of Trier with the correct age from this time period was found. So, Ernst Witte of Trier would be about 20 in 1891. So maybe my "E. Witte, Trier" V-messer could be dated about 1890 to 1914 (WW1). Last night "Mr. K." again commented about my "E. Witte, Trier" V-messer: "Witte could have been a retailer. Sometimes it is hard to say and to find out information. One (would) have to search in the archives. Or you could send an Email to Trier to ask about Witte. I would say it is around 1900. The sheath (E. Witte, Trier) looks tiny later than earlier."

HAPPY NEW YEAR COLLECTORS,

C. Wetzel-20609