Trench Knife

S

strangefish

Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Messages
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Hello All. I am in need of some detailed information regarding a late WW2 German multi-purpose Puma Werk (S) trench knife, and this forum looked like just the place. Anybody know what I'm talking about? I inherited this piece from my father who picked it up in Hamburg around 1948. I have detailed photos here ( http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae95/mattyknockles/Trench Knife/TrenchKnifecomp.jpg ). Any input greatfully accepted. Ciao, Keith.
 
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If you register at Photobucket or Flickr, you can upload your photos there and then post them here. That way, someone might be able to help you.
 
TrenchKnifecomp.jpg

Cool kinife.
 
I have to add, that, during my many years of pondering upon this knife, I have remained mystified as to eactly when the designers envisaged the corkscrew being used. Am I missing something, or was the second world war conducted between bibulous soirees around campfires in occupied territories. Plus: the canvass stiching tool? Tents? I understand this knife was only available at personal expense, so maybe it was aimed at the upper echelons. Hence my request for detailed input.
 
that knife is a real goodie for collectors of pumas or military collectors. it may possably have been made in ww1. a german grandfather may have passed it down to his grandson. you really need to go to bernard levines section.
 
Frederick J Stephens 1980 book "Fighting Knives" has 2 examples of these knives in his chapter on Knives of the Second World War. Illustrated as items 411 and 451. Not much info on them except what is self evident; that they are "An extremely unusual German trench dagger, with the refinement of combination tools fitted into the hilt".

In Europe before and during the war corks rather than bottle caps or twist tops were the norm. The German army also made a much greater use of horses for pulling transport than many people realize. That spike would probably come in quite handy for repairing harness.

Kevin
 
Thank you, so far, Gentlemen, for your help. I have sent the picture to Bernard. I say 'Gentlemen' because I assume... but I did meet a lady up in Oregon who was a knife sharpener par excellence during a period when I lived in Cottage Grove.
 
I think that wine was such a common beverage in Europe, and water quality so bad, that wine was the primary beverage. I don't think that these soldiers were partying in the trenches...but they were pulling some corks.
 
Very nice. Don't know anything about them, however if your looking to get info so you can sell them, don't try and clean them up. Leave them as is. You could decrease the value by taking the patina off.
 
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