Gravity Fliegerkappmesser, collector tread.

[mwl]

Hi John,
I think the 0000 just mark the position (and possible size) of the serial/assembly #. The purpose of R is puzzling... Does it lack Luftamt stamp on the marlin spike base?
Regards,
Mats

[John Hodgin]

Does it lack Luftamt stamp on the marlin spike base?
Regards,
Mats

Good day Mats,

It does indeed lack the Luftamt stamp on the spike.

A carbon steel Weyersberg take down, with Luftamt of course.
Regards,
John

[mwl]

Hi John!
Yes, that´s what I suspected (no Luftamt stamp) and I think it is the same with the very few Eickhorn found (please confirm). IMO there are two possibilities 1st Samples for a new contract in 1941 on a take downs (where also Eickhorn, oddly, might have shown interest) 2nd Samples for a possible post war contract on new gravity knives for Bundeswehr, in which Eickhorn was successful with their Type III in 1956 (M. A. Pattarozzi) .
Yours, John, and the very few Eickhorns that I´ve seen, except the one found in http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=681070 (it will be very interesting to see the markings on that one, Andi) are in pristine condition. To me it is puzzling that these gravity knives have been held in this condition since 1940/41, it seems more likely that they have their origin in the early 1950ies…
Best regards,
Mats

P.S. Good looking Weyersberg and lanyard D.S.

[John Hodgin]

are in pristine condition. To me it is puzzling that these gravity knives have been held in this condition since 1940/41, it seems more likely that they have their origin in the early 1950ies…
Best regards,
Mats

Have to disagree with your second theory Mats, but must add that I am far from expert on these. Have an early Weyersberg which is mint, it is in far better condition than the SMF which actually appears to have had slight use. This use does not show in my photos. The mint Weyersberg came from the US veteran who brought it back and the knife was acquired somewhere in Germany near the end of the war. Will post photos of it next week.

Believe your first theory more likely. Perhaps a prototype which was rejected because of the all stainless construction?
Thanks for the comments on the Weyersberg take down.

Regards,
John

[mwl]

Hi John,
Thanks for your comments. That´s what I love with WAF, if you don´t agree you say so (independent if you are a 15 000 or a 15 poster) and no one is offended. I know of mint Fliegerkappmesser and they are not extremely unique, but I was concerned of the quality of the very few Eickhorns that I´ve seen (even though spoiled by the bellow referred post). To me the first theory also seems most likely, since no proofs has to be shown by SMF, more than what has already been produced/shown during the war…
Look forward to hear from these “Eickhorn guys”.
Regards,
Mats

[John Hodgin]

Hi John,
Thanks for your comments. That´s what I love with WAF, if you don´t agree you say so (independent if you are a 15 000 or a 15 poster) and no one is offended. I know of mint Fliegerkappmesser and they are not extremely unique, but I was concerned of the quality of the very few Eickhorns that I´ve seen (even though spoiled by the bellow referred post). To me the first theory also seems most likely, since no proofs has to be shown by SMF, more than what has already been produced/shown during the war…
Look forward to hear from these “Eickhorn guys”.
Regards,
Mats

Have a good evening Mats, more next week!
Best,
John

[John Hodgin]

My first gravity knife, acquired when I was in high school. Set me back $16 if memory serves, my father told me I was crazy to spend so much on a knife. The gravity knife was brought home by a US veteran who would later be my college biology professor. He was fluent in German and Russian and a veteran in the battle of Hürtgen Forest. He served after the war translating for the US Army.

[greg1878]

My first gravity knife, acquired when I was in high school. Set me back $16 if memory serves, my father told me I was crazy to spend so much on a knife. The gravity knife was brought home by a US veteran who would later be my college biology professor. He was fluent in German and Russian and a veteran in the battle of Hürtgen Forest. He served after the war translating for the US Army.

Great knife and a better story John, thanks for sharing
Cheers - Greg

[mwl]

A very good looking Paul Weyersberg, John, and an excellent investment. I recall both of the gravity knives from your splendid book "German Paratroops in North Africa"
Best regards,
Mats

[mwl]

For your amusement, here are two of my SMF gravity knives. I certainly paid more than $16 each...
Regards,
Mats

[John Hodgin]

Thanks Greg and Mats!

Fine knives Mats! No worries, I paid a lot more than $16 for each of my others, especially the all stainless SMF.

Some more of the Weyersberg story. One of my best childhood buddies was the next door neighbor of the veteran who brought the knife home. We would visit the vet, talk about WWII, and look at the souvenirs he brought home. There was a lot of SS insignia and a chained SS dagger among other great pieces. The veteran knew my interest in Fallschirmjäger, WWII history, and how badly I wanted the gravity knife but hesitated to sell it to me. He liked my friend a lot (they had been neighbors for many years) and the vet eventually gave my buddy the knife to sell to me, so that my friend would have the $ from the sale for himself. My friend set the price of $16, and he brought the knife to school and sold it to me there, so I walked around high school with a gravity knife in pocket all day. This was intentional to make my school day uneasy, we played practical jokes on each other a lot. Probably not a good idea in today's world.

[djtshc]

Paul weyersberg early model?

Last month I bought a Paul Weyersberg knife at an estate sale for $3. I spent $150 to get the broken spring fixed. It has the PW mark and "Solingen"but no "rostfrei" mark anywhere. The deceaseds daughter said he brought it back from Germany after the war. Since it doesn't say "rostfrei" is it an early model/late model or what? It is not a takedown model. The spike has the eagle with the "5" mark at its base. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you from a brand-new forum member.

[mwl]

Hi,
In my opinion unique, if an non take down. I asume the blade is of carbon steel (not stainless) and the Luftamt eagle is the "sticky" one (not Weimar)... The non Rostfrei marked Weyersberg blades I have seen are all on take downs (like John Hodgins a few posts down) and rather rare. These are pre 1943, before the introduction of RB NR. Are the rest of the parts stainless? It might be that Weyersberg used an old stock of non take down parts, fulfilling an order...
Best regards,
Mats

[djtshc]

Paul Weyersberg w/ no "rostfrei" mark

Can someone please take a moment and explain to me the difference between a "sticky" eagle and a Weimar? Also what is RB NR? Is there an easy way to tell carbon steel from stainless? This has a tiny bit of rust at the base of the blade. This is my first gravity knife and I know pretty much nothing about them other than they are one of the coolest things going and I've wanted one ever since seeing one in the mid-60s. Our high school football coach (WWII combat vet) had one and after seeing it I knew I had to have one. It only took 50 years! Thank you for your help and patience with a newbie.

[John Hodgin]

Stainless blades will be marked so with "Rostfrei," as below the Weyersberg trademark on this example. Acquired this one in 66.

The RB number is the manufacturers code and is illustrated thought out this thread.