Peter-Michel, W. Faschinenmesser. Preußen, Sachsen, Bayern, Württemberg

For the collector, fascine knives offer an often confusing variety. This book provides a guide by which the German designs can be classified geographically and chronologically. To effectively narrow the subject, the focus is on the most important models issued in Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria and Württemberg. The rich pictorial material in the form of b/w photos shows a large number of overall and detailed views of the fascine knives. Over 60 pages more than the first edition.

The German armies introduced fascine knives from the late 18th century onwards. They were primarily used to make bundles of brushwood (Italian 'fascine'), which were used to reinforce field fortifications. The broad-bladed shark knives were used by many branches of the armed forces, especially in the 19th century, and were distinguished accordingly as infantry, artillery and pioneer machine knives. The forms were varied, but subject to certain fashions, so that knives of the same era often resemble each other quite closely throughout the German-speaking world. In the second half of the 19th century, the first models with a mounting device appeared. They also served as bayonets, which in turn led to other designs.