Original German WWII Large Trench Fighting Knife by AESCULAP of Tuttlingen with Scabbard

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of an original large size private purchase trench fighting knife (kampfmesser) as used by the Germans in WWII. It looks to have seen a good amount of use, as the blade has been sharpened several times, and looks to possibly have originally been nickel plated. It may be that this was originally a short 98K dress bayonet that was repurposed during the war for combat use. The original hilt would have been removed, and a new one fitted, very similar to the other trench fighting knives made during WWII. The knife has a single edged spear point blade of 7 3/4", with a false edge on the top, and measures 12 5/8" in overall length.

The rear ricasso of the blade bears the stamped trademark logo of Aesculap-Werke AG of Tuttlingen in Württemberg, a company that still exists today as a major maker of surgical instruments. Their logo is the well-known "S-form" serpent coiled around a ball-headed staff, the "Rod of Aesculapius", the Greek God of medicine, under a crown. This trademark is on the back of the blade with AESCULAP above, while the front ricasso has the complete address marking:

AESCULAP-WERKE
JETTER & SCHEERER
TUTTLINGEN

Per J. Anthony Carter's book GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS,this firm was originally founded by Gottfried Jetter in 1867, and in 1887 he partnered with the Scheerer brothers to form Jetter & Scheerer. By 1895, they recognized the limitations of a family business, and formally incorporated. They built a new factory and registered the trademark Aesculap. This company would go on to make early SA and NSKK daggers, however once the war started, their entire production was changed to surgical instruments.

The original scabbard is in very good condition, with a lovely black "anodized" or blued finish, which looks to have then been lacquered to protect it. The lacquer is very well retained, as is the black finish. There are no dents or major damage, and it fits the blade perfectly.

A very nice example for display in any quality German WWII edged weapons collection.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edged Spear Point Knife with Upper False Edge
Overall length: 12 5/8“
Crossguard: 2 3/8”
Scabbard Length: 8 3/4