SOLD East German Paratrooper Knife KM66 . D965

East German Paratrooper Knife KM66 (Kampfmesser 66). The black steel knife scabbard is decent condition with quite a bit of wear to the scabbard paint. The web belt loop is in good condition. The knife has a double-edged blade with a central fuller with the proper dull non-reflective coating that is in decent condition as well. The checkered grip is missing the one round insert in center area, near the cross-guard section it is serial numbered: 13198. I believe this is a third pattern knife. Worn condition.

Additional Notes: The combat knife M1966 / KM66 is the first pure combat knife from the VEB vehicle and hunting weapons factory Ernst Thälmann in Suhl was issued in 1966 for reconnaissance and paratroopers. It was used in units of the NVA, the VP and the MfS. The combat knife was given the designation M1966 (1966 – year of introduction) and had a lens-shaped, dagger-shaped blade with an additional fuller. To protect against reflections, the entire blade is matt phosphated. The handle, made of dark red to dark brown plastic, should have a dielectric strength of 500 V, which is also indicated by an inserted black label. A hand strap attached to the end of the handle secured the knife against loss during use. There are knives with “blunt” and sharpened blades. Both blades can be considered contemporary. The M1966 could be used both on the paddock and on the specially designed pants of the newer battle dress for jumping units are worn. The longitudinal eyelets of the metal scabbard were used to attach it to the pants of the newer combat suit.

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