Description
Original Germany SMF Model 2 paratrooper knife early Bundeswehr issue manufactured in the early 1950th; scarce Fallschirmjäger Messer type in rare UNUSED condition. FREE EXPEDITED SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM.
Scarce early post-WW2 gravity knife for the newly-reestablished German Bundeswehr units “Fallschirmjäger Messer” paratrooper knife in rare unused condition – all original springs are intact, original blade; the knife is 100% working order. Manufactured by SMF (Solinger Metalwaffen Fabrik) in Solingen, Germany in the early 1950th. This exact type is illustrated on pages 59-60 of the excellent German reference book Luftwaffe Gravity Knife: Weapon, Tool, Tradition by Jan Peter Bruning (see the book’s scans attached). These large Fallschirmjäger-Messer knives are scarce in the original condition nowadays, but the early Cold War era Model 2 SMF knives are nearly impossible to find. See the dedicated German gravity knives page, courtesy of Wikipedia. Also, I have a rare unused early-war SMF Model 1 non-takedown Fallschirmjäger-Messer made from high-quality stainless steel available for sale; please take a look.
Developed in 1937, this type was originally issued to the German paratroopers as an emergency-assist knife which could be operated one-handed to cut entangled parachute cords, cut lines, untie paracords with the “marlin spike”, etc. Later in the war this type was issued to all Luftwaffe aircrews (WW2 German Airforce). A relatively small number of 350,000 Fallschirmjäger-Messer knives were produced in total by six different manufacturers; very few survived the war in decent condition. The knife was large enough, practical and reliable in the field; it was well-received by the airborne troops and it became a subject of envy to all the rest of the men in uniform.
This is a scarce late-war SMF Model 2 specimen with mostly high-carbon steel (non-stainless) metal parts. This rare 1950th transitional model specimen has the logo-etched stainless blade which is once again marked ROSTFREI. These transitional blades were made for a very short period and are extremely hard-to-find because there weren’t many of them manufactured in the first place. This knife is about 6-1/8″ / 15.5 cm closed; 10-1/4 / 26 cm fully opened; the blade is about 4″ / 10.2 cm long. All metal parts except for the blade and shackle are blued with about 80 to 90% of the original bluing remaining. The blade has not been re-sharpened; original factory edge is very sharp; the tip is intact. The blade is nice and tight when its out, all parts are solid. This is a high-quality, very well-made specimen. Heavy-duty unmarked marlin spike is about 3-5/8” / 9.3 cm. The bolster, blade and the frame are are correctly stamped with matching production series number 82 – see photos attached.
Original hardwood handle scales with 4 steel pins and the D-ring shackle on the pommel. Wood handle scales are in great overall condition, considering the age – no cracks or chips; just a couple of light contact marks. All springs are nice and tight; the spike holds well, all original parts are intact – this rare Cold War era Germany SMF Model 2 paratrooper knife is rare this nice. Today most of the surviving German Fallschirmjäger-Messer paratrooper knives are in private collections & rarely come up for sale; don’t miss your chance to add this rare post-WW2 transitional Germany SMF Model 2 paratrooper knife to your collection! Please check out our Collectable Blades and Militaria sections for a variety of custom-made and various WW1 and WW2 combat knives.
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