June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2019
One of the very few Scagel handmade knives ever offered for sale. It has 7-3/8", slightly turned down blade with 6-3/4" false back grind, 12-1/2" overall. It has brass hand guard with red fiber and German silver spacers and a stacked leather handle with pinned stag pommel, slightly turned down. Left side of the blade has Mr. Scagel’s cartouche or "Kris" as it is known. Accompanied by what is probably its original brown leather sheath with brass button. William Scagel, commonly considered to be the grandfather of modern, custom handmade knives, lived and worked and made his knives in Michigan primarily in the 1920’s and 1930’s producing very functional and durable hunting knives. During World War II he made many fighting knives for troops going off to war. This appears to be one of his extremely World War II fighting knives. This pattern was later copied by Bo Randall and is known as the Number One Fighter. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Blade shows sharpening with a small ding in the cutting edge. Handle and pommel are extremely fine. The stag pommel shows moderate wear with a wonderful ivory-like patina. Sheath has aged very well with cracking at retaining strap and solid stitching and rather supple leather. Overall in need of treatment. TDW