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WW2 Germany Paul Weyersberg scarce Model 1 Fallschirmjäger-Messer Paratrooper Knife

$1,049.99

Original Germany WW2 Paul Weyersberg Fallschirmjager-Messer paratrooper knife; rare early-production non-takedown Model 1 type; great overall condition, considering the age.  FREE EXPEDITED SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM

1 in stock

Description

Germany WW2 Paul Weyersberg Fallschirmjager-Messer paratrooper knife; rare early-production non-takedown Model 1 type; great overall condition, considering the age.

Scarce pre-WW2 manufacture German airborne units “Fallschirmjäger Messer” fighting knife manufactured by Paul Weyersberg & Co. in Solingen, Germany. This is a scarce pre-war manufacture Model 1 specimen with all stainless steel metal parts; a few are stamped with production series number 80 indicating some of the first batches of FS knives manufactured for the Luftwaffe. All springs are intact; the knife is in very much working order still.

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 FS 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 1944. One of the Skijägers clearly has a nice 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 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 Paul Weyersberg & Co, 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.

Pre-war manufacture specimen with all stainless steel metal parts stamped with early production series numbers. 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. Also, I have one well-preserved take-down Model 2 late-war Fallschirmjäger Messers specimen available for sale, if you are interested.

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 re-sharpened and is razor-sharp still; the tip is intact. The blade has been re-sharpened but overall it’s in excellent shape, considering the age. Stainless steel blade is finely etched Paul Weyersberg / SOLINGEN / ROSTFREI on one side. Heavy-duty marlin spike is about 3-5/8” / 9.2 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; a utility belt/gear hook is still attached to the shackle. The spike spring is in perfect working order; the spike opens and closes with a sharp snap. Original hardwood handle scales with 4 steel pins; the handle is in very good overall condition with no cracks or chips; a few minor contact marks on the wood are noted for accuracy. All handle parts are tight with no play – this type is rare this nice. These are the actual photos; Stg-44 rounds are not included with the knife 😉

After 80 plus years this original Germany WW2 Paul Weyersberg Fallschirmjager-Messer paratrooper knife is still in very good shape, considering the age. Today most of the surviving model 1 Germany WW2 Paul Weyersberg Fallschirmjager-Messer paratrooper knife types are in private collections & rarely come up for sale; don’t miss your chance to add this specimen to your collection. This is a consignment item with a set reserve. Please check out our Collectable Blades and Militaria sections for a variety of custom-made and various WW1 and WW2 combat knives.

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.

FREE EXPEDITED USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM!

No international shipping for this item, sorry lads.

Additional information

Weight 9.5 lbs

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