{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-gravity-knife-by-rare-maker-f-a-helbig","title":"Original German WWII Luftwaffe Gravity Knife by Rare Maker F.\u0026A. Helbig","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This example was produced by \u003cb\u003eHelbig\u003c\/b\u003e, who very rarely made this type of knife; this fact alone makes it very desirable. Prime examples by this maker have gone as high as $1500.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelbig Gravity Knives have a number of small design differences from those on the more commonly seen Weyersberg and SMF pieces. The throat is a slightly different shape as is the collar beneath it, being slightly more bulbous than typically encountered, and the hinged area of the marlin spike is a bit more rounded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has fine, stainless steel components. There are no numbers stamped on the parts of this knife, also different from a typical example. It has the a stickbird waffenamt marked \u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c\/strong\u003e on the hinged area. The spring on the marlin spike is a bit weak, so it does not stay in place unfortunately. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grip plates are of walnut with the standard four retaining rivets. These plates are in very good condition throughout. Overall length is 10 inches, with a 4 inch blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade of this knife is in good used condition. It has however been sharpened quite a bit, so the shape is somewhat changed. This was definitely used quite a bit during the war. These were not really intended for long term use, but USGIs who captured them often would use them extensively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is still faintly marked with the rarely seen trademark of the \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eF. \u0026amp; A HELBIG\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e firm; pair of ellipses enclose the firm's name and location of \u003cstrong\u003eSTEINBACH KR.M.\u003c\/strong\u003e. Inside the ellipses is the Helbig script\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e Gaesler\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e trademark logo, and beneath is \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eROSTFREI\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, the German word for stainless steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice Gravity Knife here, with a very scare trademark for the type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstyle type=\"text\/css\"\u003e\u003c!--\ntd {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}\n--\u003e\u003c\/style\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30672947937349,"sku":"ON10797","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ON10797__01.jpg?v=1596112069","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-gravity-knife-by-rare-maker-f-a-helbig","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}