Ronnie,
There are several lines running top to bottom but I see what your talking about. I don't think it's been broken and welded. One would have to make a concerted effort to brake the blade in the center like that. Heavy abuse that would break the blade would most probably break it at the choil. Additionally, this example looks like it may be one of the 500 +/- knives that came from Northampton Cutlery Company.