Fine WW1 Trench Art German 8x57mm Bullet Knife being a Souvenir of Reims Cathedral 1918

Here on offer is a WW1 trench art German 8x57mm bullet knife a souvenir of Reims Cathedral 1918.
This type of trench art bullet may have been sold as a ‘fund raising’ souvenir, to help pay for the rebuilding of Reims Cathedral, after its damage caused during WW1.

The 8x57mm bullet knife comprises of a short single edged knife blade that has been fixed inside a silver bullet, which tests as 925 grade silver, but may just be a thick silver plate?

The bullet fits snugly into the neck of the brass cartridge case. Fitted on the front is a finely detailed brass image of the famous Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims, known in English as Reims Cathedral.

During WWI, Reims Cathedral was severely damaged by German shellfire starting in September 1914, with an eight-hour bombardment setting fire to scaffolding and the roof. The fire melted the lead roof and damaged the interior, and the ruined cathedral became a powerful symbol of the "ravages of war" and was used extensively in Allied anti-German propaganda. After the war, an international effort, including funding from Americans, led to the cathedral's extensive restoration, which was completed and the building was reconsecrated in 1938.

The base of the fired and now INERT cartridge case is stamped with the markings: N & S, S67, 7 and 18.

The N & S relates to the German maker, Niebecker und Schumacher, of Solingen. The S67 marking means the casing was 67% copper and the 7 and 18 are the date of manufacture, being July 1918.

The markings are divided into 4 segmented areas on the base, which indicates it can be used for MG use as well as the Mauser rifles.

The cartridge and bullet knife are in excellent condition with no damage.

This knife is very similar in construction to the Princess Mary, British .303 type bullet knife, sometimes found in the officer’s 1914 Christmas tins. This German version is even rarer and is a very hard item to find, especially in this condition.


The knife blade is needle sharp and measures 1.25” (3.3cm) the when inserted, it measures 3.4” (8.6cm) long and weighs 21g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 52106