Help with ID-old fixed blade knife

[Rick Enos]

I just picked up an older fixed blade knife.length is about 12"--wood handle--Made by HOWARD Cutlery--Germany.....In the middle of the blade is stamped--Looks like GESEZLACH-GESCHUTZT-PRUSSIA.....there ARE 2 LARGE Xs BOTH SIDES OF THIS STAMP WITH X-L-N-T STAMPED AROUND IT.I just thought someone here may have some knowledge on this.If you E-mail me I can send pictures.Haven't figured this site out yet.

[Bladepeek]

Rick, take another look at the spelling on that blade. I think it probably reads "GESETZLICH GESCHUTZT",(with the "U" an umlaut with the two horizontal dots above it) meaning"PROTECTED BY LAW" refering to trademark protection.

The kingdom of Prussia became the most powerful of the German States and lasted until 1918 when it became part of unified Germany, so it appears that may be a very old one. I'm not a historian, so that may not be a valid theory, but it's my SWAG (an engineering term which stands for scientific, wilda$$ed guess)

Ron

[Rick Enos]

Ron.You got it on the head..Right down to the 2 dots above th U..It also has 2 Xs on both sides of the stamp with XLNT stamped around it.Slow but sure we are getting there.If you find any history on the Howard Co. Germany I would love to read up on it.Thanks again...Rick