Tell me about this

[Don Robinson]

This is an old folding weapon that was purchased in France during the late 40's or early 50's by the father of a customer of mine.

It's marked "Hugo Koller, Solingen".

Anyway, at his request, I'm making another like it so that my customer can pass the original on to his son. He'll keep the one I'm making.

I vaguely remember seeing a picture of one of these knives when I was much younger, but I don't remember anything about it.

I have a suspicion that it may have been a German officer's dress knife during the war. ???

[Don Robinson]

This is the same knife in it's sheath.

The sheath has a slit in the back loop to fit over a belt stud.

Kind of neat, huh?


Now somebody tell me all about it.

[hammerdownnow]

What a neat project. Aside from sentimental value, the German renditions of this pattern, altho well made are not all that valuable at this time. I don't know much about the Koller name, but, maybe you could squeeze 300 for a real cherry one. The Sheffields in this pattern and even the Americans(PAL) go for about three times that.(ballpark figures) If I was the kid, I would take the one you make, and let Dad keep the original. Hope we get to to see your finished product. Some in progress pics would be nice and some thoughts on any problems you had to solve making it. I don't ask for much, ehh?

[Don Robinson]

I'll do that, HDN.

I'll do just that. I have the knife about 2/3rds. ready to put together and finish.

Now tell me how to find an American version. And a French.

And, could this be a war souvenir?

[hammerdownnow]

I am not aware of a French version but I will keep an eye out for a pic of one for you. Some of the fancy looking ones are from Toledo Spain like the pic below.


The Sheffields that I have seen are a little less rakish but have their own embelishments like the checked handles. The guy is trying to get $1,500 for the one below. You can see the swing guard is missing in the pic. It is called "The Hunters Pal" Not to be confused with the ones made By the PAL cutlery company who took over knifemaking from Remington.


Camillus made one with a bolo style blade for the military during WW2.


Mike Silvey would be the best one to ask about the chances that those style knives were carried by German officers. If you want those pics you should save them as the are up temporarily on Ebay. I'll snoop around some more.

[Don Robinson]

Great, HDN.

I don't see a latch on the others like the one I posted. The blade is locked both open and closed with the swing latch.

So far I like mine the best.

[hammerdownnow]

Yes I noticed that latch. Most of the ones I have seen have a lever lock on them like the German stag one below. I just read that they were made in about every country that made knives and that the practice of stealing patterns and making cheap copies was going on as far back as the 1800's


Edit to say , this one had a "buy it now" of $349

[Don Robinson]

HDN, here's what I have so far. I'm working on the locking lever now, as you can see. It will have a small hardened wheel on the forward end that applies pressure to the back spring as you swing the lock closed.

It's not intended to be an exact relica. I hate square corners, so all corners are radiused.

The guard/bolsters are made of 416 stainless, the liners are brass. The blade is S30V.

I had to get the stag from the far east.

Whatcha thinkaboutit, guys???

[hammerdownnow]

Wow! That is looking so good. Those look like some really nice slabs you have to go on it also. Thanks for posting those in progress pics. Recreating old patterns really gets my jucies flowing.

As usual I was too hasty in first impression value of your friends knife. All the repros and cheap copies of this pattern made me knee jerk poo poo it. I am very sorry about that. I had never heard of Hugo Koller because they are very rare. They were made by Koller in Solingen Germany from 1905- 1927. As you can probably tell from having it in hand, it should be of fine quality. It might be a good idea for your friend to get it professionally appraised for insurance purposes and documentation to follow with it into the future. Cost of apprasial is 25 bucks. I would be curious as to what one of these "real" ones are worth.

I will keep digging.

[hammerdownnow]

Does this look like the makers mark on it?

[Don Robinson]

Originally Posted by hammerdownnow

Does this look like the makers mark on it?

That's it exactly. In my first post the picture on the right shows this mark.

Do you think it's worth more than $9,999.95?

I told the owner I'd charge him $ 1,000.00 over the actual value of the original for the new one.

Thanks a bunch for the good information. This looks like a better knife than any you've posted to me.

[Buddy Thomason]

Here's a more recent knock-off version by Hoffritz. This one is probably from the 1970s, is basically a 'factory knife' and might fetch $70-$80 max.



The one you pictured at the top, Don, certainly appears to be older and authentic. The one you're making based on the original looks like it will be very nice! The stag looks to be primo too.

[Don Robinson]

Thanks, Buddy.

Now I've got 2 pros looking for more information.

I imagine though that the old dates of manufacture and the maker's mark are about all we'll get, huh?

I really appreciate the information from both of you. I've passed it on to the owner.

His family is from South America but they've lived all over Europe at one time or another.

He's teaching me how to say "cloissone" (sp?) in french.

[hammerdownnow]

Well, now that I am all out of facts it is time for some musings and speculation. Assuming this pattern developed in Germany, it may have evolved to an easy carry version of the Forestry, Forrester, German Hunting or sticking knife. At one time (1700's) German hunters carried a long knife or short sword as part of a hunting set to dispatch a wounded or dieing animal instead of wasting another shot. For some reason these what we call folding bowies remind me of those long bladed, stag handled stickers. Mostly done up with jumping stag scenes and acorn shaped guards they blur the line between art, totem and function. Here is a pic of a nice one on ebay right now. I have wondered what the purpose or symbolizim of the shell would be.

[Don Robinson]

Interesting speculation about the evolvement. You may be right.

That's an interesting sticker. If it's old it's sure in great shape.

I have no idea what the shell is for.