Description
10/20/26 - This an interesting, put-together example of a "Type 1" Gravity Knife, originally issued to Luftwaffe paratroopers during WWII. There have been several notable repairs/adjustments to the original configuration. Most critically, the blade has likely been replaced with a minty example lacking any visible maker's mark. We believe the blade is likely a reproduction using the original stainless steel, as the edge profile is slightly off, and the blade faces show no factory cross-graining even though the metal is incredibly clean. The other major repair was the replacement of the flat spring that attaches to the release lever via the numbered fulcrum. Due to the aggressive heat treatment needed to reweld the assembly, the fulcrum is now partially blued, where the rest of the metal is in the white. Additional evidence of this replacement includes a small area of slightly darkened wood at the uppermost left handle rivet. The release lever was also clearly reattached via replacement rivets that are rougher and protrude on either side of the fulcrum. This example matches, aside from the replaced flat spring fulcrum. Externally on the underside of the release/pressure lever, and internally on the side plate (visible only when the spike is deployed), both bear the number "777". The spike base has the correct "Eagle 5" Luftwaffe proof stamp, and the spike itself is in excellent condition with no signs of wear or use. Beautiful metal at the top of the handle, though there is evidence of light buffing. The grip panels are in very good overall condition, with some variance in the rivet dimensions (though all are smooth and well-secured), a few scattered cracks, some handling marks, mild sanding, and the aforementioned area of heat-darkened wood. The mechanical operation is a bit finicky; the blade deploys and retracts mostly smoothly using the release lever, but the fulcrum doesn't perform flawlessly, causing occasional sticking. Blade is vertically and horizontally secure in its locked state. However, perpendicular to the hilt there is very slight play when the blade is fully locked. Spike functions smoothly as well. These knives were designed primarily to cut through a Luftwaffe aircrew members harness in the event of a tangled parachute, requiring them to be razor-sharp, easily deployed, and always accessible. To that end, paratrooper uniforms contained a hidden compartment for speedy and convenient blade removal, both for general use and more crucially, in emergencies. The spike was used to untie knots while packing the parachutes. These remarkable blades were sharp and strong enough to cut through the aluminum hull of the aircraft after a crash landing.
