Description
SMF, seated king TM. Nickel-plated fittings, show surface wear with minor speckling and age residue, but lifting or pitting to the end cap, spine or spike. Blade spring mechanism is stamped, “2” and “486” with base of spike stamped with a Waffen-Amt stylized eagle and the number “2”. Approximately 1 ½” of the spine, to include the butt is missing causing the spike to fit loosely. Light brown, fine-grained wooden grip plates show surface wear to obverse/reverse, with no cracks or chips and are complete with eight retaining rivets. The reverse plate is personalized with the non-professionally carved, “4 III” (3rd Battalion, 4th Parachute Regiment). Polished blade grades EX showing surface wear/runner marks/speckling, sharpening primarily to the lower blade tip, and several nicks to the lower cutting edge and spine. Reverse blade is marked, “Rostfrei” and knife is complete with undamaged nickel-plated lanyard ring. The 4th Parachute Regiment was assigned to the 1st Parachute Division which fought in Sicily and Italy where it fought its most famous battle at Cassino in early 1944. After a fighting withdrawal, the 1st Parachute surrendered to the Allies after the German front in northern Italy finally collapsed in the spring of 1945. VG+/EX.
