WWII GERMAN PARATROOPER GRAVITY KNIFE
This is a German paratrooper gravity knife. The handle is constructed of
wood with a metal frame. The blade is usually labeled with the
manufacturer's emblem. Known as the "gravity" knife because the
blade is kept hidden until the knife is pointed downward and a lever is pressed,
causing the blade to slide down and become exposed for use. The
blade is kept secured in place by a spring lever.
A ring is provided at the butt end so that the
paratrooper could attach a rope and kept it within reach during
action.
The picture below shows the knife fully extended.
Special care must be taken when expanding the blade. If the lever is pressed too hard the spring
may brake because it is held in place by a single rivet. Many of the
samples available for sale have broken springs.
The sample illustrated here is marked with the
manufacturer's insignia near the base of the blade. In addition, other
parts of the knife have production marked stamped on them.
The following picture illustrates how the blade is kept hidden. A folding
spike was found at the bottom of the knife.
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This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII German paratrooper items. Multiple
detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points
that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII German collectible worth?". A price
guide is included here to address this question. The value of the parattrooper items is reviewed
over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the German
artifacts in the collector's market is illustrated.
This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of
MilitaryItems.com,
a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military
antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.
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A word of caution
The spring that controls the lever can break easily. Do not take the blade in and out too many times. There
are no known replacements for the spring at this time.
This WWII German paratrooper item may be currently being
reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to
be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving.
The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the
manufacturing of this item. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine
the authenticity of the paratrooper items.
If you have an interest is seeing other paratrooper collectibles of the Third Reich, you can do so by going
to our WWII German paratrooper
identification guide. Where we cover insignia, field gear, head gear and many other items.
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