Combat knife, Model 1942 Trench Knife (Grabendolch), Germany, World War I

The Nahkampfmesser combat knife, Model 1942, was officially adopted by the German armed forces in 1942. It was intended for use by military personnel across various branches of service and was distinguished by its simple, robust, and technologically efficient design.

Unlike ceremonial edged weapons, the Nahkampfmesser was an exclusively utilitarian item. It served as a combat knife, a tool for fieldwork, and an element of the soldier’s individual equipment.

The Nahkampfmesser was manufactured by numerous German enterprises; however, maker’s marks on the blades are encountered extremely rarely.

During excavations at Second World War battle sites, Nahkampfmesser knives are regularly discovered both along the lines of direct combat engagement and among the personal effects of military personnel. However, examples in good or excellent condition are extremely rare, as these knives continued to be widely used by the civilian population after the war, resulting in significant wear and loss of their original condition.