See if you can figure these marks out

ingelred · 3rd March 2006, 09:03 PM

Hello Ian,

I think, I will keep it in my collection.
After removing the paint it tends out to be a nice little knife.
Especially the brass (?) inlay (it is neither painted nor koftgari) in the blade is very nice.

Hello Valjhun,

yes, the knife has some similarities to a Bosnian bichaq.
I got two in my collection, one with the inscription "Sarajewo 1890".
Concerning the knife You had a link to, this knife is to may best knowledge not a Bosnian knife but a knife from South Tyrol.
These knives are called "Trudenmesser", "Drudenmesser", "Drudenschneid", "Neunkreuzermesser" etc.
These knives had a talismanic meaning to the local people and should protect them against evil spirits.
They share some similarities to South German "Furmannsbestecke" (waggoner's cutlery).
There was an article about these knives in the German Messermagazin recently.
I have just found this link.
scroll down and You will see one "Trudenmesser".

http://www.museumonline.at/2002/hs-w...eum-ritual.htm

By the way, very nice knife, Valjhun.

Best regards, Helge

3rd March 2006, 09:03 PM	#10
ingelred Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Moenchengladbach, Germany Posts: 62	Hello Ian, I think, I will keep it in my collection. After removing the paint it tends out to be a nice little knife. Especially the brass (?) inlay (it is neither painted nor koftgari) in the blade is very nice. Hello Valjhun, yes, the knife has some similarities to a Bosnian bichaq. I got two in my collection, one with the inscription "Sarajewo 1890". Concerning the knife You had a link to, this knife is to may best knowledge not a Bosnian knife but a knife from South Tyrol. These knives are called "Trudenmesser", "Drudenmesser", "Drudenschneid", "Neunkreuzermesser" etc. These knives had a talismanic meaning to the local people and should protect them against evil spirits. They share some similarities to South German "Furmannsbestecke" (waggoner's cutlery). There was an article about these knives in the German Messermagazin recently. I have just found this link. scroll down and You will see one "Trudenmesser". http://www.museumonline.at/2002/hs-w...eum-ritual.htm By the way, very nice knife, Valjhun. Best regards, Helge