John Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 Hi all, I bought this a few days ago, for ?130 ($250 ish). My first and only one! It came from a friend who bought it off a guy at work, who in turn was given it by his Grandfather, who had brought it back from WW2. I will find out the unit when he goes back to work. Unfortunately, the blade is well worn down as it had been used in the garden for 50 years! I selfishly (silently) cursed the old boy, but then, he earned it, so therefore he's entitled to do with it what he wished. The blade is detachable, but I'm not too sure what the spike is for. Also marked on the spike is, " R,B,NR." and underneath it "0/0561/0019". And no, it's not for sale, I'll be buried with it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 (edited) Nice one John!My father-in-law had one too and used it almost every day till he died. He laughed me out of the living room when I told him how much it would cost to replace it (he wouldn't give it to me and I think it was buried with him as it's gone).There's a similar sort of spike on the British clasp knife too, like you, I don't know what it's used for.Tony Edited December 24, 2006 by Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Strong Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 (edited) Thats whats called a "Marlin Spike" sailors use it to make holes and repair sails. Here is an older Canadian Navy one with a real Marlin spike Edited December 25, 2006 by Laurence Strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
François SAEZ Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 important:For paras AND pilotsLate war issueMany legends on the spike part like used during close combat (even if some have done it which I doupt), the truth is more used to open cans (when used).They were issued for paras and pilot to cut parachute ropes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 We use them for repairing rigging and sails. I could see them being used for parachute rigging and ect.Great and rare piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev in Deva Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 (edited) Hallo Gents I believe the spike was used to open knots in the chute rigging cords which may have become entangled upon landing, it would double as a can opener, but as for a combat weapon, well the blade was there for that. I have been told that the complete item contravenes current German laws with regards legal knife regulations, BUT, you can have them as two seperate items, i.e, blade and handle. I attach a shot of one in a friends collection in Bavaria, and even more rare a shot of a WW2 Italian Para Knife. Kevin in Deva. Edited December 27, 2006 by Kev in Deva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKeating Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 (edited) That is a corker! Yes...yes...the blade is worn down but, for me, that just adds to the attraction of this lovely piece of memorabilia. The spike was indeed intended for unpicking tangled rigging lines. These knives were also issued to Luftwaffe aircrew although it seems that the bulk of the production was diverted to the Fallschirmtruppe. I'd rather have this example than a mint one. It's a bit like the Berghof spoon I saw a while ago, liberated by a French soldier: he'd carried on in the army until the late 1950s and used the spoon as his daily eating tool. So it is worn down on one side. Wonderful! Not unlike the Agincourt-era pikeman's helmet in the IWM in London, converted into a cooking pot. Same vibe. I don't have a WW2 gravity knife but I have the Bundeswehr one I swapped a woolly-pully for when I was doing my BW para wings. Same sentimental value. Nice one! Real pleasure to see something like this.Happy New Year to everyone!Prosper Edited December 27, 2006 by PKeating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKeating Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Kev,Nice Italian fighting knife! They were based on the MSVN 'daggers', which were inspired by bayonets, and were also informed to some extent by the so-called German "boot knife". Your knife is just the kind one sees tucked into the smocks worn by members of the Folgore. I know of one of these in London, brought back by a now-deceased Nettuno veteran. I've been after it for years. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev in Deva Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 (edited) Kev,Nice Italian fighting knife! They were based on the MSVN 'daggers', which were inspired by bayonets, and were also informed to some extent by the so-called German "boot knife". Your knife is just the kind one sees tucked into the smocks worn by members of the Folgore. I know of one of these in London, brought back by a now-deceased Nettuno veteran. I've been after it for years. PHallo PK Just to clarify all the knives pictured belong to my buddy, Boris, in Bavaria, he told me he picked up the Italian knife on a local Bavarian "Floh-makt" about 10 years back for 50Dm or about 25 euro now.Kevin in Deva. Edited December 29, 2006 by Kev in Deva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted December 28, 2006 Author Share Posted December 28, 2006 Thanks guys, I really enjoyed the info. I'm so pleased to finally get one. And Kev, I would like to see some nice pictures of your Italian Fighting Knife. Those don't do it justice... Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted December 31, 2006 Author Share Posted December 31, 2006 The spike is marked , " R,B,NR." and underneath it "0/0561/0019". Does anyone know who the maker is? Thanks, John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted March 17, 2007 Author Share Posted March 17, 2007 How many types / makers of garvity knives were there, please? Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Temple-West Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 John,The "R. B.Nr" (Reichs-Betriebs-Nummer) is a Luftwaffe code assigned to factories and workshops serving the war economy until 1945.. The maker mark (or logo) is usually found on the blade... this, of course, now worn away on your example.This one of mine is by "SMF" the most commonly found maker of these knives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jef Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 How many types / makers of garvity knives were there, please? Cheers, John"German Military Fighting knives 1914-1945 "(G. A. Hughes)is still on front of me. Needed for a post early this evening. I' afraid it only shows one item, but there is an appendix with makers of fighting knives in common. If you want me to, I'll post it.Kind regards,Jef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jef Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 "German Military Fighting knives 1914-1945 "(G. A. Hughes)is still on front of me. Needed for a post early this evening. I' afraid it only shows one item, but there is an appendix with makers of fighting knives in common. If you want me to, I'll post it.Kind regards,JefAnd of course some explanation....Jef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Temple-West Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Nice one, Jef.. Here are a few more makers.Paul Weyersberg & co.Alcoso.Eickhorn.H & A Helbig.The search continues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted April 4, 2007 Author Share Posted April 4, 2007 Nice one chaps. Sorry for the delay in replying, but I'm spending more and more time away at the mo. Whats the rarest, and is it mine? Regards, John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraut Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Gentleman,s here my Fj-kappmesser 2 ausf,R.B.NR.0/0561/0019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraut Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 More fotos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraut Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 R.B stamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nesredep Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hello!GentelmanVery iteresting tread. All the bestNesredep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naxos Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 (edited) Hi Kraut, nice Flieger-KappmesserHere is my father's - I lost it once, found it again - only to give it away, but I got it back after 24 years in a friend's collection. Edited December 18, 2008 by Naxos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraut Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Thank,s Gentlemans!Naxos you kappmesser very nice,and 1 version!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraut Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 (edited) My kappmesser Take-Down pattern Edited December 18, 2008 by kraut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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