Help I Need Info On Vintage Solingen Original Bowie Knife

[whitman75]

I recently picked up this knife at a yard sale for 15.00.What attracted me to it was its long blade (8.0-8.5in) and the wood handle which looks like walnut or some other type of nice solid wood. I than noticed it was marked solingen Germany on front of the blade and on the other side the number 708W. Does anyone not what era this knife is from? It also has the original leather sheath which is black with a stag on it though it has damage to it. The blade does show some wear but no cracks or chips. Any information would help. thanks

[philco]

If you can post a couple of good clear photos of the knife your odds of getting information will greatly increase.

Good luck in your search.

[whitman75]

I will include a few pictures. The sheath is a black with a green.

[tongueriver]

I am sticking my neck out here, as I am no expert. I see many similar knives on ebay, sometimes several a day. I think they were part of a big market among U.S. soldiers stationed in Germany in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. They almost always have a stag handle. I think your knife has been re-handled here in the States, and also now has a pommel from a Remington or Pal sheath knife. Hopefully somebody will chime in who has more expert information.

[goldpan]

From the look of the sheath and the design of the knife I would guess that it was made by Carl Linder of Soligen Germany. I have a few knives from made by Linder for and sold by Precise International with the fist and three arrows tang stamp. If you would like to find if you knife was made by Carl Linder there is a fantastic article in the Feb issue of Knife World written by Bernard Levine in his "Whut Izzit" colum.

Keep it sharp and to the point!

Randy