Description
Germany WW2 Luftwaffe gravity knife likely made by SMF. Scarce early-production original Model 1 (non-takedown type), chipped & re-sharpened blade, very good condition overall, considering the age. FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM.
Scarce early WW2 manufacture German Luftwaffe crews / airborne units “Fallschirmjäger Messer” fighting knife likely manufactured by SMF (Solinger Metalwaffen Fabrik) in Solingen. This early all stainless steel Model 1 specimen is in very good condition overall with all springs intact, but the blade has been harshly re-sharpened with all original factory etchings grinded off. The knife was likely a war trophy carried and used by some American GI. It is housed in a handmade leather pouch. The knife was probably used a working knife to cut boxes and to open K-ration cans – the blade has has a few typical edge chips and nicks along the edge. Still, this rare knife is in very good overall condition with all springs intact; the spike and handle scales are in excellent condition. The blade locks when opened; it is nice and tight with minimal wobble.
Developed in 1937, Fallschirmjäger Messer was originally only issued to the German paratroopers as an emergency-assist knife which could be operated one-handed to cut entangled parachute cords, etc. Later in the war this type was issued to all Luftwaffe aircrews (WW2 German Airforce). In 1944 a number of Fallschirmjäger Messer knives were also issued to a Wehrmacht Skijäger – army “ski troops” infantry regiment operating in the northern Ukraine / central Belorussia forests. See a couple of rare WW2 era reference photos of German Skijägers on a winter patrol in the Ukrainian Pripyat region in early 1944. One of the Skijägers clearly has a nice model 1 Fallschirmjäger Messer dangling off his belt (photos are for reference only and will not be included with the knife). A relatively small number of 350,000 Fallschirmjäger-Messer knives of all models 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 became a subject of envy to all the rest of the men in uniform. The early FS Model 1 type made by SMF, as well as later take-down Model 2 types are illustrated on pages 239-242 the excellent French reference book Knives and Daggers-Bayonets Used by the German Army During 1914-1945 by Christian Mary (see the book’s scans attached). These large Fallschirmjäger-Messer knives are pretty hard to find in original condition nowadays. See the dedicated German gravity knives page, courtesy of Wikipedia.
This specimen has all stainless steel parts; the latch and latch base are stamped with the early-production series number 2. By mid-war stainless steel was becoming scarce in Germany and most of the “non-essential” wartime production had to switch to a “regular” high-carbon steel. In later-production Fallschirmjäger Messer knives stainless steel parts had been gradually replaced by blued carbon steel due to the wartime shortages of the strategic material.
The knife is about 6-1/8″ / 15.5 cm closed; the blade is about 4-1/8″ / 10.5 cm long. The blade has been harshly re-sharpened; the edge is very sharp still; the tip is intact. The bolster has some contact marks on one side. Heavy-duty marlin spike is about 3-1/2” / 9 cm; spike tip is intact; the base of the spike is stamped with an early “small eagle 5″ Luftwaffe proof mark. The internal blade spring is nice and tight; the spike holds well, original D-ring stainless steel shackle is intact. Both springs are in perfect working order; the blade and spike open and close with a snap. Original hardwood handle scales with 4 stainless steel pins; the handle is in excellent very good overall condition; a few contact marks on one side near the D-ring are noted for accuracy. These are the actual photos.
After 85 plus years this original Germany WW2 Luftwaffe gravity knife / paratrooper knife is in very good overall shape still, considering the age. Today most of the surviving Model 1 Germany WW2 Luftwaffe gravity knife types are in private collections & rarely come up for sale. Don’t miss your chance to add this scarce specimen to your collection!
Please check out Collectable Blades and Militaria sections for a variety of custom-made and various WW1 and WW2 combat knives currently available for sale. For collectible knives and edged weapons Argo CC accepts payments via credit cards, personal checks drawn from US-based accounts, certified US-based bank checks, and money orders. Please email me at info@argocoins.com if you would like to make a credit card purchase over the phone. Old-fashioned checks and money orders will work just as well; please take a look at the Payments section within our Terms and Conditions for mailing instructions and additional details. Follow me on Facebook @argoman400BC to keep an eye on the latest additions and promotions.
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No international shipping for this item, sorry lads.
