SOLD - WWII Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger Gravity Knife - Type 1

Description

5/8/25 - This an early type 1 gravity knife issued to Luftwaffe paratroopers during WWII, manufactured by Paul Weyersberg & Co. of Solingen. The blade is marked on the front with "Rostfrei", meaning made with "rust free" stainless steel, as well maker stamped with "Weyersberg Solingen". Properly serialized and matching on the release lever and side plate with the number "36". The spike base has the correct "Eagle 5" Luftwaffe proof stamp. The blade itself is in great overall condition and remains razor sharp. Though there are signs of light-to-moderate use and post-factory sharpening/buffing, this hasn't drastically altered the blade profile. A couple very minor spots of oxidation at the hilt below the actual blade. Beautiful metal at the top of the handle, though there is evidence of light buffing. The grip panels are in excellent overall condition, with smooth, unblemished wood and perfectly flush and secure rivets. There is a repair below the takedown lever on the left side, where an external plate was installed in place of one of the retaining internal rivets used to secure the spring which ensures proper deployment and retraction of the blade. This repair was effective, as the mechanical operation is flawless, with smooth extension and retraction using release lever. 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, and is well preserved aside from a couple of spots of oxidation. These knives were designed primarily for cutting through a Luftwaffe air crew members harness in the event of a tangled parachute, requiring them to be razor sharp and easily 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.