Description
Germany WW2 SMF Luftwaffe paratrooper knife; scarce early-production original non-takedown Model 1 type; great overall condition, considering the age.
Scarce early WW2 manufacture German Luftwaffe crews / airborne units “Fallschirmjäger Messer” fighting knife manufactured by SMF (Solinger Metalwaffen Fabrik) in Solingen, Germany. Very nice early Model 1 specimen with all stainless steel metal parts. The knife is used, but it is in better-than-average condition for the type.
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 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 stainless steel metal parts stamped with production series number 325. 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; the edge is very sharp still; the tip is intact. The bolster has numerous contact marks on both sides; looks like someone used the knife as a hammer. Stainless steel blade is finely etched with the Solinger Metalwaffen Fabrik famous “sitting king” SMF/ SOLINGEN / ROSTFREI logo 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 sharp snap. Original hardwood handle scales with 4 steel pins; the handle is in excellent very good overall condition; a few contact mors near the bolster are noted for accuracy. These are the actual photos; 7.92 “kurtz” rounds and medals on photos were used for scale only and will not be included with the knife.
After 80 plus years this original Germany WW2 SMF Luftwaffe paratrooper knife is still in very good shape, considering the age. Today most of the surviving model 1 Germany WW2 SMF Luftwaffe 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 Collectable Blades and Militaria sections for a variety of custom-made and various WW1 and WW2 combat knives currently available for sale.
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