UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Army, Navy, and Luftwaffe Forum Fliegerkappmesser model 1-Gravity knife

The Helbig.

again....

another....

still...

SMF...

Weyersberg...

Grip colors.. my pics always leave much to work on!!
Bret Van Sant

The Helbig has wear on the grip from the bail or lanyard ring as some call it. I could not bet a better shot of the electric pencil engraving number on the inner plate. By todays standards I stole for the price I paid. I have some paper work from Gailen around somewhere, that he purchased at least the set of 2 from John. This was the same set of gravitys he sold Mike this and a Weyersberg both were pictured in Tom's luft book. I was going to buy the PW also but a mint short sawback firemans came into play. Both were in John Merlings collection. Never knew who got it but it was also killer. They were sold on the old GDC for sale format when Mike was selling off his collection. man I tell ya for those of you who were around back then it was all killer mint stuff I know Rich scored several armys from him. I snagged 3 pieces total from Mike. As Archie Bunker sang "those were the daaaaaays"
Bret Van Sant

oops!

Those were the days!

Look at the Helbig grip. Every example I had seen had a superior redish grip. The best compared to the other makers IMHO.

Regards,
-serge-

Very nice Paratrooper knifes guys.


Serge, that's one stunning grip that you have there, nicest one that I have ever seen.

quote:

Originally posted by cog-hammer:
The Helbig has wear on the grip from the bail or lanyard ring as some call it. I could not bet a better shot of the electric pencil engraving number on the inner plate. By todays standards I stole for the price I paid. I have some paper work from Gailen around somewhere, that he purchased at least the set of 2 from John. This was the same set of gravitys he sold Mike this and a Weyersberg both were pictured in Tom's luft book. I was going to buy the PW also but a mint short sawback firemans came into play. Both were in John Merlings collection. Never knew who got it but it was also killer. They were sold on the old GDC for sale format when Mike was selling off his collection. man I tell ya for those of you who were around back then it was all killer mint stuff I know Rich scored several armys from him. I snagged 3 pieces total from Mike. As Archie Bunker sang "those were the daaaaaays"
Bret Van Sant

Very nice Gravityes Bret V sant . Awasome knifes and near mint all of them.
Thank you very much for sharing this pictures.

The Helbigs are vey scarce to find out there.
I have one used in Norway by German paratroopers. The maker is Helbig. I will host up some new pics of it later in daylight.
I also buy one Helbig today with Nm blade.
The makers mark was exellent and nice crossgain too.

Fallschirmjäger in Norwegen

The Battle at Dombaas on the 14th april 1940 is a quite well known episode during the Norwegian Campaign, and it was one of the first time that Reichsmarschall Görings paratrooper forces (Fallschirmjäger) were used in Battle.
Fallschirmjäger were used for the first time in Norway during the attacks on Sola and Fornebu Airfields. It was only at Sola the Fsch.jg were engaged in a short fire fight with the norwegians. Both operations were considered a success, and the paratroopers were eager to come in combat, believing the war could end without their participation.

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Here is a picture of my new second Helbig gravity knife.

The wood grip plates is beautyful
Note : the spike is blued half of the length ? May this is a type of flamehardening or something ? or the owner use this in flames when he put some meat in the grill ? Who knows.



Helbig Makers mark

LH, in the link to Roland skull's site the images you didnt see, one image was of a Afrika Corps (If remember correctly?)fellow using a gravity knife as a cooking item. Showed him over a fire with the knife. I think it came out of some period publication but it escapes me as to what it was. Maybe "signal" or the publication that shows the luft machette?? dont remember. Lots of these things were used for what they were meant for a utility knife. Some are super examples and minty but the real history happens in the field where they were used. I know Robert Iqubal had a well used example as of late with a lanyard attached. For a decent price. I have also seen period flare guns with the same lanyard attached. Anyway Nice gravities that everyone is showing. Whos got an Eick??? and whos got a lanyard example "Vintagetimenow" I am sure you have something stashed away
Bret Van Sant

A Weyersberg I used to own, complete with lanyard.

Cheers,

MM

Last, some lanyard details.

Cheers,

Great Thread.
Jarle, Have you any of the below makers? I've never seen these before and would be interested to see these?
ANTON WINGEN Jr Solingen /gyq
Alcoso fnj
WKC
Paul Seilheimer.

quote:

Originally posted by lakesidetrader:
Great Thread.
Jarle, Have you any of the below makers? I've never seen these before and would be interested to see these?
ANTON WINGEN Jr Solingen /gyq
Alcoso fnj
WKC
Paul Seilheimer.

No Paul,- thay are very rare. I have never seen them either.

In my collection i have :
2 Knifes of HELBIG ( one with provience from Norway)
Paul Weyersberg
SMF Solingen
And the rare GEBR WEYERSBERG takedown stainless

I always hunting for paratrooper knife you know

If other member have this type Paul asking about,- please host up some pics

Regards LH

Wow! all very nice guys!!!
So I will guess we can rule out the electric pencil this as a date. Maybe some type of bench number for assembly? I dont have this newer book on gravity knifes by that mark, somebody??? does it go into the helbig marks?if anyone owns the book can you please let me know if its a decent buy?? I'll have tp break out TW luft book again to read if I have missed something. Yes lots of really nice stuff listed here!!! Maybe we should all go for the luft machette posting next huh!!!
Bret Van Sant

Hello Bret
The book of Gravityes is very good buy.
Lot of info and pics .
But the Gebr Weyersberg takedown are not mention in the book

I wonder some thing about the Gebr Weyersberg knife ?

1- why dont they put on Luftampt stamps on the spike ?
2- Why have this knife twice "R" mark inside the solid bolster ?
3- The knife have a stamps "R" on the housing cover, i never have seen before ?
4- The knife has an asembly number into the inner right side housing : 021
5- The knife have also an Assemly number too left of the blade guide ( 9 ) Early takedown have this)
6- The Arrow pointing toward one another
Normally they points same directions for proper alignment for assembly .
7- this Gebr Weyersberg have orginal stainless steel finish and have never been polished. All is 100 % orginal . One of a kind ?
Paul H ...you have hold this in your hand ?
What are your opinions of it ?

Here is my early Gebr Weyersberg stainless takedown in front and a Helbig back. ( engraved numbered like yours Bret )



Here a Paul Weyersberg from left and HELBIG used in Norway.
Next is a SMF and a Puma Boot knife W/ bacelit grip


Regards LH

LH, we call these flier knifes but thats more of a misnomer(These were utility knifes) and as such were used in many ways. Like my comment on the luft machete. just cause its called a luft machete does not mean that its just for Luftwaffe.I am sure that other examples exist. maybe not many though!!
Bret Van Sant

quote:

Originally posted by cog-hammer:
LH, we call these flier knifes but thats more of a misnomer(These were utility knifes) and as such were used in many ways. Like my comment on the luft machete. just cause its called a luft machete does not mean that its just for Luftwaffe.I am sure that other examples exist. maybe not many though!!
Bret Van Sant

Yes you have right is that Bret. Utility knife .
These knives were used by both paratroopers and flying personal & others.
We always talk about the "Luftwaffe" around this type of knifes.
After the war in Norway , Gravity knifes has been used by the Norwegian forces as a utility knife and tool.
Many of this specimens is well used and ugly nowadays.

LH

New pics of the Gebr Weyersberg knife & blade.


Blade of Gebr Weyersberg.

Great questions Jarle
The GW takedown is rare. I've only ever seen one other example and that was in Tim Dauncy's awesome collection at a Canadian Collectors party a few years ago. Tim has the best collection I've ever seen of these. If my recall is correct his exactly matches yours. BTW, Tim also has a rare Malsch and Ambron which has a unique spring design. I've only ever seen 2 of these.
One thing I have noticed on Gravities is that the finger button, (trigger) only is ever numbered with 2 digits dispite the fact that the other components may be 3 digits. Perhaps due to limited real estate? I could be wrong here but would be interested if others have seen 3 digit numbers on the triggers.
Where does your information come from on the other makers?

Hello Paul
The other info came from The gravity book and some info from other collectors.
------

Malsch and Ambron which has a unique spring design ? What make this better ?
Is it the steel quality or a different asembling/patent?
Can you arange some pics ?

Sorry Tim has been MIA for a while.....
Love to see him back.

Paul, I seem to remember Tim had an Eickhorn is that correct. I could be wrong??!!
Bret Van Sant

quote:

Originally posted by lakesidetrader:
Great questions Jarle

One thing I have noticed on Gravities is that the finger button, (trigger) only is ever numbered with 2 digits dispite the fact that the other components may be 3 digits. Perhaps due to limited real estate? I could be wrong here but would be interested if others have seen 3 digit numbers on the triggers.
Where does your information come from on the other makers?

Paul
I have a 3 digits trigger Gravity in my collection
I can arange some pics later of that knife.
Regards LH

Bret you are correct that was very rare too!!

I'm jumping in late on this one. I love to see nice Paras.. I have a few but not as mint as yours..

The Steinbach I thought was the hardest to find.
logo of the man using the water pump.

Here are some of mine. The SMF takedown is so nice I get scared taking out of the zipper bag incase I dropped it..HAHA

Notice that AMBROM far right has a shorter and fatter blade.

Chris

Here is my couple




THX 777

And SMF



BTW. What do you think of the v.2 sold by czech seller on multiple ocasions now on allegro.pl?
czech=fake (eat least in 90% cases) but if so ...really well made

Here is picture of (good copy??) I think.
10000% original he sais.
Your thoughts?