German WWII WEHRMACHT ‘Stiefelmesser’ Close Combat Knife (‘Nahkampfmesser’)

*German WWII WEHRMACHT ‘Stiefelmesser’ Close Combat Knife (‘Nahkampfmesser’) *

This is a German close combat knife from World War II, commonly referred to as the ‘Stiefelmesser’ or Boot knife. This knife boasts a blade of approximately 15cm in length, with an overall length of 26.7cm. The blade is crafted from drop-forged steel. On one side of the ricasso, you’ll find a stamped “S.” It’s worth noting that many combat knives commissioned by the German Luftwaffe during the war bore acceptance markings, often featuring a stylized “stick” eagle with either a “5” or a “6,” while others had an “S” or a “W.” The knife features a double crossguard and has carved grips made of natural softwood. These grips are firmly secured to the blade tang using three small, dome-headed steel rivets. The knife is accompanied by its original scabbard, which is black and made of painted sheet metal.

Interestingly, during World War II, this German knife was more commonly used as a practical tool for tasks like food preparation and various everyday field chores rather than its intended purpose as a “last-ditch” weapon for hand-to-hand combat.

*Condition*
The knife is in good condition though it has some rusting and pitting . The scabbard is similarly rusted and one of the retaining clips is broken. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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