Kriegsmarine Diver Knife

It was a musician's joy, when Bunting acquired this rare Kriegsmarine Diver Knife from friend and fellow musician, Chris Farlow. The princely sum of £15 was paid in December 1969. 

 Kriegsmarine first pattern diver knife for sale. The Kriegsmarine diver knife manufactured with a heavy duty brass grip with integral top cap. The grip formed with various ridges. At the base of the grip is a brass thread for screwing into the scabbard. At the base of the screw section is the cork finisher, and then the polished steel blade. The scabbard is also made from heavy duty turned brass. A thread at the throat allows the knife to be threaded into place. A brass section allows the knife to be affixed to the divers belt. A circular brass section is soldered at the base.

Condition report: The diver knife surviving in very good to excellent condition. The brass remains bright. The cork remains insitu, and intact. The polished steel blade shows signs of general use. That said it is still generally bright and is free from damage. The brass scabbard is free from dents or other damage.

Provenance: From the collection of specialist edged weapons collector, Alan Bunting. The Kriegsmarine Diver Knife noted in his ledger as having been purchased on 20th December 1969, at a cost of £15.00.

This actual diver knife is photographed in the 1972 Fred Stephens publication, Edged Weapons Of The Third Reich 1933 - 1945. Page 23 (credited to Bunting).

Although not stated in his ledger, all Bunting's daggers were purchased from his friend, and fellow musician, Chris Farlow. A copy from Bunting's ledger, showing this Kriegsmarine Diver Knife is included in the sale. 

Notes: Alan Bunting died in January 2018. After serving with the RAF, Bunting became an Audio Manager with the BBC, and later worked with many record companies. A classical musician in his own right, Bunting quickly moved over to music production. It was during the 1960s that he met rock musician, and military antiques dealer, Chris Farlow. They quickly became friends, a friendship that led to Bunting collecting Third Reich edged weapons. Farlow, himself an edged weapons collector for a while, sourced the best examples for Bunting. Bunting's ledger shows that he started collecting in 1969. The Kriegsmarine Diver Knife being an early purchase by Bunting.

Additional notes: The Kriegsmarine Diver Knife remains a scarce piece of equipment to this day. There were two major developments throughout the life of the diver knife. The first pattern had an integral top cap, as opposed to later patterns which had a large central slit, allowing the blade to be unscrewed and replaced if necessary. Other changes in development included a finish to the grip ridges, which allowed it be be gripped better. The scabbard ended its days with a flat base, rather than with a soldered bottom cap.