What is this military knife?

[henry0reilly]

Of course, the lady that owns it is convinced it's something rare and/or valuable. I pointed out that it's been sharpened a lot.

The 4 digit serial number on the frog matches the blade, although the number on the blade isn't completely legible.

There isn't any traditional ring or socket for attaching to a rifle.

 

[Vigilant]

I’m NOT a military knife authority, but it looks like an early EK? As in prior to Blackjack Knives, and maybe a real military EK? I’ll defer to someone more versed, but that’s what it LOOKS like. IF it’s an original EK, it MAY be worth something to someone, but that’s all subjective.

 

[steif]

I would say it's some version of an Erstaz trench or fighting knife from WW1. They made many different kinds as well as some blacksmith or homemade kinds, I venture a guess that this is one of them. https://militaryantiquesmuseum.com/axk0003-wwi-austrian-trench-knife.19951.archive.htm

 

[BluedSteel]

I’m NOT a military knife authority, but it looks like an early EK? As in prior to Blackjack Knives, and maybe a real military EK? I’ll defer to someone more versed, but that’s what it LOOKS like. IF it’s an original EK, it MAY be worth something to someone, but that’s all subjective.

I too, will defer to the true experts, but I have never seen or heard of an Ek in a metal sheath.

 

[Thor]

Looks to me like a WWI (or post war, maybe South American) era Mauser bayonet that somebody wanted to turn into a hunting knife so they reground the blade, cut down the guard and put a different hilt on it. So, it's probably really rare...one of a kind even.

 

[maxipum]

I believe Thor is correct. The most valuable part is probably the leather frog. Definitely WW2 German in origin.

 

[KokomoDave]

It definitely has the wrong handle rivets to be an Ek. Someone's bastard creation. If history was behind it, it would be worth something as a one-off.