Axis Militaria

WW2 Aviation and Vehicle Parts and Accessories

WW2 German Luftwaffe Pilot / Fallschirmjager Fliegerkappmesser – SURVIVAL GRAVITY KNIFE – 1ST MODEL – EXCELLENT

WW2 German Luftwaffe Pilot / Fallschirmjager Fliegerkappmesser - SURVIVAL GRAVITY KNIFE - 1ST MODEL - EXCELLENT

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You are bidding on a VERY NICE and 100% ORIGINAL WW2 German Fliegerkappmesser Gravity Knife, used by various fighter pilots, flight crew, and Fallschirmjäger! Commonly, this was used in conjunction with the flight pants and survival gear.
Once the pilot or paratrooper hits the ground, he becomes more of an infantryman, who has to get free of his cumbersome parachute.  The possibility of becoming entangled in the shroud lines is a very real one, as is the likelihood of injuring an arm or having it ensnared in the lines. The German Luftwaffe developed a special pocket knife which could be opened or closed with one hand to meet this contingency – the Flieger-Kappmesser.    It features a sliding blade inside a metal frame. To release the blade, a crescent shaped lever is rotated 180 degrees and pressed downward.  The WWII German Kappmesser is fitted with wooden grips, a lanyard bale and a folding marlin spike for disentangling shroud lines. Both blue and nickel versions exist, as well as take-down variants which can be disassembled for cleaning and repair. After Crete, the Germans did not mount any more major airborne invasions. The gravity knife continued to be issued to Luftwaffe air crews.

Made of wood and steel, this first model Gravity Knife in in EXCELLENT condition considering it’s age!  There are some slight marks due to the age, but otherwise quite solid. All springs are 100% INTACT, however the locking mechanism is a bit loose (blade tends to slide out part-way.  This is very normal for this type of blade, and does not detract.  The AMAZING feature is the that the blade still retains the original factory edge, and has NEVER been sharpened! Veteran carved his initials into one side of the handle. No manufacture logo on the blade, however the spike does features a clear Luftwaffe Adler “5” inspection stamp.  A VERY NICE example, it would make a SUPERB addition to any collection or display!

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