Description
Germany WW2 Paul Weyersberg paratrooper knife, early war non-takedown type Model 1 Fallschirmjager-Messer; repaired spring; fare overall condition, considering the age. FREE EXPEDITED USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM.
Scarce early WW2 manufacture German airborne units “Fallschirmjäger Messer” fighting knife manufactured by Paul Weyersberg & Co. in Solingen, Germany. This is a scarce early manufacture Model 1 specimen with all stainless steel metal parts; a few are stamped with production series number 215 indicating some of the first batches of FS knives manufactured for the Luftwaffe. Original blade is in great condition but the blade latch spring has been repaired – see photos. Still, this scarce WW2 era Luftwaffe knife in very much working order.
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 lightly re-sharpened; it is razor-sharp still; the tip is intact; it’s in excellent overall condition, 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 spike spring is in perfect working order; the spike opens and closes with a sharp snap. The blade latch spring pieces have been welded together; the latch works well now but the blade will come out of the handle a bit when it’s in closed position. Original D-ring stainless steel shackle is intact. Original hardwood handle scales with 4 steel pins; the handle is in good overall condition; one side has initials LR scratched into it and has a small section that was burnt during the welding of the blade latch spring. Wood handle scales are in great shape overall; 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.
After 80 plus years this original Germany WW2 Paul Weyersberg paratrooper knife Fallschirmjager-Messer is still in very good shape, considering the age. Today most of the surviving model 1 Germany WW2 Paul Weyersberg paratrooper knife types are in private collections & rarely come up for sale; don’t miss your chance to add this specimen to your collection. Please check out my Collectable Blades and Militaria sections for a variety of custom-made and various WW1 and WW2 combat knives.
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FREE EXPEDITED USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM!
No international shipping for this item, sorry lads.
