Anyone recognize this knife

[SWR]

Found this in a box of a relatives possessions. No information from anybody in the family as to where it came from.
Does anyone recognize where this might have come from or what styling of knife this might be, Indian, Mexican etc.
Also any idea on the material for the handle. The knife is heavy and appears well made yet crudely finished in other aspects. There is a hand cut inscription on the blade of the knife beneath the rust that reads "apmenhc xania keathe".
I believe apmenhc might have something to do with Lebanon. Could this possibly be a souvenir from The Middle East?

Thanks Steve

 

[caryc]

To me, the handle sure looks like rams horn.

 

[SWR]

Would you know if any kind animal like a ram would exist in the Lebanon / Middle East area ?

 

[caryc]

Would you know if any kind animal like a ram would exist in the Lebanon / Middle East area ?

Moreno sheep originated from Spain. Ram, of course, is just the male of the species. Now they are bred all over the world.

 

[oliver507]

Looks like a rehandled K-Bar, maybe?

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I note some rust, so not stainless. Looking at the steel and handle pins I would guess 1940s - 50s manufacture. Definitely a ( meat?) cutter for purpose. The " keathe" in the inscriptions makes me think Irish or British, as that name originates there. I think it denotes the manufacturer, and that the knife was made someplace in Britain.

 

[SWR]

Interesting observation. I dont think made in Britain though as the parts seem to be of reasonable quality however the execution is rough in a few places, or crude even. The words look like they were scratched in freehand with a chisel point, the "x" engraving along the spine is also freehand and inconsistent. The "groves" in the middle of the blade look to have been cut with a dremel tool.
I keep thinking some tourist street vendor in a back alley in the Middle East somewhere. One of the words infers a Turkish background. One of the other words seems to infer a Danish / Celtic background. Dont know, seem to be hitting a brick wall on this one. Nothing really comes up trying all different variables in a Google search

 

[toysoldier]

The styling of the butt would indicate a Near East origin, so Turky might be a good guess.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Interesting observation. I dont think made in Britain though as the parts seem to be of reasonable quality however the execution is rough in a few places, or crude even. The words look like they were scratched in freehand with a chisel point, the "x" engraving along the spine is also freehand and inconsistent. The "groves" in the middle of the blade look to have been cut with a dremel tool.
I keep thinking some tourist street vendor in a back alley in the Middle East somewhere. One of the words infers a Turkish background. One of the other words seems to infer a Danish / Celtic background. Dont know, seem to be hitting a brick wall on this one. Nothing really comes up trying all different variables in a Google search

We could both be right. How about a mid-eastern knockoff of a British knife?

 

[warren5421]

It could be a WWII knife made by hand using scrap. Dad spent time in North Africa and at one time before 3 boys it looked like that one. Seen some made of plane parts, broken canapé from fighters and steel also.

 

[caryc]

Yes now I recognize it. I lost it several years ago. Please send it back to me if you will.

 

[kiki111]

Original British WWII Custom Brass Knuckle Duster Trench Spike Knife

 

[RC44Mag]

Would you know if any kind animal like a ram would exist in the Lebanon / Middle East area ?

Yes, decades ago I used to have a book written in the 50’s I believe about hunts with famous people, a couple I remember Kirk Douglas, shah of Iran and Tito of Yougoslavia. Very cool book and one of the hunts was in thst region hunting rams. I’ll try to look it up, book long disappeared.

 

[RC44Mag]

Here ya go. Found the book with description. Red Sheep hunted by the Shah. Very cool book,
http://www.shikarsafaris.com/en/red-sheep-iran
Here's the book, if I recall Kirk Douglas was in it also and he hunted leopard. Wish I knew where the book took off too.
https://www.abebooks.com/GREAT-TRUE-HUNTS-Barrett-Peter-editor/31543601914/bd

 

[el caminero]

My first thought was another curious thing from darra, peshawar, et.c., with kabar influence. With no markings i would have suggested american highschool metal shop class, but for the split pommel.
The book seems vaguely familiar

 

[Paul B]

IIRC, Jack O'Connor did several sheep hunts in Iran and was buddies with the brother of the Shah of Iran. So yes, I would agree that the handle is probably from the horns of a ram.
Paul B.

 

[SWR]