I bought this the other day, I think it is a Luftwaffe fighting knife? Anyone know for sure? Also, is it real?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Terrible photo but it's just a size reference.
Approximately same size as an M3 fighting knife.
ugafx4 - Your knife is an original Luftwaffen-Kampfmesser. The S is a late war acceptance stamping not a maker's mark. Possibly a later replacement for the Luftamt 5/6 acceptance stamp. As already noted a W stamping has aiso been observed. The same S stamping can also be found on a very few late period second model Flieger-Kappmesser by SMF. As HB stated there has also been discussion that the S & W stamping is a commercial marking or perhaps an acceptance mark from another authority, outside of the Luftwaffe.
This is NOT the same type of combat knife as shown in the famous photograph from the Ardennes. I have attached a higher resolution version of that photograph to show detail. Note the handle contour and grooves as well as the thick diamond shaped crossguard. Also the single scabbard clip of this kampfmesser as compared to the "triple spring" clip of the Luftwaffe knives. The knife in the photo is actually of the variation marked with arrow in the attached image from my collection. These Kampfmesser or perhaps Infanteriemesser are unmarked and by an unknown maker although they are certainly period. Examples exist with and without the factory applied grooves to the wooden grips.