Faschinenmesser model 1845. This fascine knife was issued to Saxon infantry regiments for use in both close quarters battle and as a general-purpose knife. It was often used for cutting brush to make fascines and gabions – hence its name.
The heavy 480mm single edged blade has a thick, flat spine and a hatchet point. The ricasso bears the crown stamp of King Friedrich August II, king of Saxony from 1836-1854. The obverse ricasso is stamped with the Kirschbaum of Solingen Knight’s head maker’s mark. The blade is in good condition with age and use related dings and small patches of tarnish.
The ribbed brass hilt has a flat crosspiece, curving slightly towards the ends. The top, forward facing finial is stamped with a crown and an inspectors mark. The crosspiece bears the unit marking of the 102nd Infantry regiment. The back of the hilt is also stamped with a crown mark towards the pommel.
The brass mounted leather scabbard is in very good condition with the stitching intact and strong. There are scuffs and other age and use related marks on the black leather but the leather itself is strong.
The brass scabbard throat is also marked for the 102nd Infantry regiment. Both the brass throat and the chape are stamped with crowned inspection marks.
The Faschinenmesser fits perfectly into the scabbard and is held firmly.
This is a well above average example of an increasingly hard to find Kingdom of Saxony fascine knife dating from the mid-19th Century.
