Original U.S. WWII Navy Captured German WWI M1889 Officer’s Sword Turned Fighting Knife with Sailor’s Name & Service Number on Blade - Edgar Harding Weller, LST 907

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Theater knives are knives made by military personnel in the various theaters of war. Each knife is unique in its own way due to the maker's style, preferences and materials available. Most theater knives were made from spare parts, wreckage, tools and already existing blades.

These knives were made by the armorers and engineers on request. The larger ships needed to have skilled fabricators on board to make repairs and modifications to weapons and gear. Usually the blades were made from existing weapons or from steel components, and the hilts were cast from metals such as aluminum or zinc.

This is a fantastic captured Imperial German M1889 Officer’s Sword manufactured by Paul D Luneschloss of Solingen, Germany and captured during World War II by Navy Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Edgar Harding Weller who served on several ships including LST 907, USS Amsterdam, and the USS St. Paul. LST 907 did serve in the invasion of Southern France, which is likely where Weller captured the sword. The opposite side of the ricasso is stamped:

E.H. WELLER
410-48-18

This identifies the knife to Edgar Harding Weller. The blade has been cut down to 9” and is now very shape with a false edge added to the rear. The leather blade buffer is retained, and the wire-wrapped sharkskin grip is also in good order. The leather finger loop is even retained under the crossguard, very rare to see.

The overall length is now roughly 14 ¾”. There is no scabbard.

An interesting captured German sword-turned-knife, ready to display.

Dimensions:
Blade length: 9”
Overall length: 14 3/4”