I have this old knife…

[GreyGus]

Picked this knife up several years ago at a gun show. Only after getting it home did I find the faint markings on the blade.

The left side of the blade has the following:
GESETZLICH
GESCHUTZT
PRUSSIA
This script is bracketed on each side with a capital X with the letters, reading clockwise, L X N T in openings of the X.

The OAL is 12” and the blade 7”. The wooden handles are attached with three steel pins.

Prussia ceased to be an independent country in 1871, so I am speculating that the knife was made prior to that date, but it is also possible the maker continued with the state name after the formation of the German republic.

Any information on the markings ( they are faint, as the pictures show, I may not have gotten every letter right, and I don’t speak German.) date of the knife, etc. is appreciated.

I am attaching a couple photos

 

[Hermit Tim]

That was quite a find. Don't know anything about the markings but it is definitely I nice historic piece. Do you use it or just keep it as a collection piece?

 

[GreyGus]

That was quite a find. Don't know anything about the markings but it is definitely I nice historic piece. Do you use it or just keep it as a collection piece?

I have never used it. It needs an edge put on it, and I am not good at that. I had forgotten about it until I joined this forum and have been reading a lot of old posts. My cousin is a knife guy, I am going to get him to sharpen it, when I go to Cedar Creek in October I will have a sheath made by Dell’s Leather Works and start using it. I think it will go well with my Colt army.

 

[Hermit Tim]

Sounds like a plan. I know I'd be using it. Cool old knife.