Old Dagger: What is it?

[BE Mike]

My father and I ran across this in his basement. It was in a drawer with his WWII K-bar. My father can't remember anything about this dagger, but thinks that it could have belonged to my great uncle who served in the U.S. Cavalry under Pershing during the Mexican Expedition of 1916-17. I'd appreciate any information. The sheath is metal and the frog is leather.

 

[s&wchad]

I believe that's an Austro-Hungarian trench knife from WWI (Sturmmesser, Model 1917). The frog may be French.

 

[Comrad]

In any case get it out of that drawer in the basement, that thing needs to see the light of day. Very nice.

 

[Richard Simmons]

I believe that's an Austro-Hungarian trench knife from WWI (Sturmmesser, Model 1917). The frog may be French.

I would agree. Good call.

Austrian WW1 trench fighting knife

 

[BE Mike]

I believe that's an Austro-Hungarian trench knife from WWI (Sturmmesser, Model 1917). The frog may be French.

Thanks for the information. I think you are right on both counts. After taking your hunch that the frog may be French, I started digging.
The frog appears to have been adapted for the dagger's sheath from a French Lebel Model 1886 bayonet frog. The frog was probably captured by the Austro-Hungarian soldier and he used it to replace his leather strap. It would be interesting if the combination were captured by a Doughboy and brought home. This is an interesting piece, but we can't put any family history with it. My father has no recollection as to how he got it.