-40%

Outstanding RARE WWII Lapland Finland Puukko Fighting Knife - PLEASE READ!

$ 79.17

Availability: 39 in stock
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Finland
  • Condition: Excellent condition
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Conflict: WW II (1939-45)
  • Theme: Militaria
  • Modified Item: No

    Description

    Just to let you know, I've been dealing in military artifacts since the 1970s (put myself through college that way!), so I've heard pretty much every story that's out there.
    This beautiful blade crossed my path many years ago and, like everything, came with a story. Over the years, I've tried to verify it without any luck. I've also tried to disprove of it, also without any luck. So I throw it out there and if anyone has additional information, I am all ears.
    For background, in 1944 the Finns more or less reached peace with the Allied forces. The Russian's, however, insisted that Finland get rid of all the remaining Germans in the country before they would accept a treaty with Finland (lot of bad blood there). This began an operation known to history as the Lapland War and went from September-November 1944 (officially) in Finland's northermost region of Lapland. The operation was to have the Finns drive the Germans back to Norway. This was accomplished eventually by April 1945 and three German Mountain Corps, XIX, XXXVI and XVII were pushed back. Two of the three; XIX and XVII remained trapped in Norway and ultimately surrendered there in 1945. One, the XXXVI, moved back to the Prussian front line in West Prussia. OK so far? Good!
    On a train presumably out of Norway in early 1945, there was a German officer and a veteran of the Lapland War and it was headed to the Western Front, which was pretty much in the suburbs of Berlin at this point. The train encountered heavy attack from allied fighters and was destroyed, along with this officer from the XXXVI Mountain Corps. GI's came across the train somewhat later and scavanged. They found this officer and in his briefcase was a very unusual form of knife; the puukko, which is the traditional knife of Finland. It came home as a war souvenir from the German who had probably taken it as a war souvenir himself from the Finns during that short-lived conflict in Lapland (or earlier maybe). I received this straight from the GI's family, so I really can't doubt the story very much. Certainly everything matches up.
    Now for the knife. It is an old, very traditional style puukko. Extremely well made with what appears to be a polished curly birch grip and probably birch scabbard (the leather holder on the scabbard is no more). Everything is consistent with pre-WWII fabrication. This is not tourist junk! The blade measures approximately 5 1/4 inches long by 7/8 inch wide. Overall, the knife measures approximately 9 3/4 inches long. Blade is in very good polish with no rust and minimal wear except near the tip where it shows a small amount of wear (see pictures). The blade is inscribed and as far as I can tell, it is in the Northern Sami alphabet which leaves me completely clueless. To my Finland friends, please help.
    So there you have it. One good story and one beautiful knife. Neither of which is very common, especially not the puukko.
    Note: While I usually sell via auction, during the summer months I find it more effective to sell as a fixed price. That said, I am always willing to entertain REALISTIC offers.
    Track Page Views With
    Auctiva's FREE Counter