Hello,

I share here some pictures of a knife found there is some years ago in France.
The handle is tamped SO 3, The blade is stamped in Indochinese / Vietnam "Danh Du".

 

My idea (Maybe wrong ?)

SO 3 is one of the group of the S.O.E
S.O.E is implicate on indochina with the "Force 136"

 

Regards

Fabien

“Danh du” translated roughly from Vietnamese means “honorary”. I don’t know how that ‘ties in’ with your knife.

Knife looks more Vietnamese made/style to me. The grip is very similiar to those of the Dan made knives or NVA carried knife.... the red green yellow tassle colors also remind me of VN affiliation

I would guess it was brought back to France by a paratrooper, or Legionaire in the 1950s.  As for the 1910 belt hooks, the US gave France a lot of military equipment post WW2, especially web gear, pistol belts, helmets, weapons etc.   Just a guess!  SKIP

Hello,

Thanks for theses comments / information.

I haven't got the knife history, i've bought this without history.

 

What Dan Made means ? a Manufacturer ? "Local made" ?

Thanks

 

Fabien

 

 

I believe Doyler is referring to Nguyen Dan, a South Vietnamese knife maker. More here: http://www.militaryfightingknives.com/collection.html#Nguyen Dan

Nguyen Dan was a famous knife maker from Ninh Hoa Vietnam, near Nha Trang, Vietnam. His knives used black water buffalo horn handles, most with finger grooves. This does not look to be his work at all to me. There is an excellent page on John Gibson's website showing a Gallery of knives. Check it out. Dave

Hello,

Ok thanks for theses informations !
I don't know .... if this is this manufacturer start to work before 1954.

Regards