Damascus

German Böker MG-42 Damascus Collector's Dagger

- Made in Solingen / Germany -

Introduction:

With the classically elegant Boker MG-42 Damascus Dagger, the crown of historical Boker Damascus steel projects is provided with yet another jewel. The MG-42 is one of the internationally renowned milestones in weapons technology, thanks above all to its revolutionary production technology at the time with the consistent use of stamped sheet metal parts, exceptional reliability and ease of use, and a cadence that was previously unknown.

Raw materials and production time had increasingly become critical and decisive factors in the course of the war. Therefore, the Army Ordnance Office was looking for a successor to the MG-34, which was already convincing in its function, but took up too much time and material due to its complex production. The new MG was also to serve as a standardised weapon for light, anti-aircraft, airborne and aperture purposes. Since the central task was not to improve the product but to optimise the manufacturing process, a proven specialist in mass production rather than a weapons expert was commissioned with the new design. The choice fell on Werner Gruner, a mechanical engineer at the Johannes Großfuß metal and lacquerware factory. Gruner was presumably assisted in the development by experienced gun designers. The consistent use of sheet metal stampings instead of milled parts and the omission of accurateness in non-functional details made it possible to build a weapon that was even more reliable than its predecessor, while significantly reducing production time and costs. Almost trouble-free function and firing accuracy in all weather conditions, the change of hot-shot barrels within seconds and a cadence of 1,500 rounds per minute (25 rounds/second) established the MG-42's reputation. A brake in the form of additional mass in the breech cavity made it possible to reduce the immense cadence to 700 rounds/minute and thus the ammunition consumption. A roller shutter controlled by a cam made these impressive technical characteristics possible. In a slightly modified form, the MG-42 is still the standard MG of the German armed forces today as MG 3. Rare originals from the Second World War fetch between USD 40,000 and USD 60,000 at Rock Island Auctions.

The steel of the MG-42 is forged by our long-time and experienced partner Chad Nicols into the heart of the dagger, the double-edged blade with a discreet hollow groove on both sides. The chosen Damascus pattern, Low Layer Raindrop (40 layers) is excellently accentuated by the symmetrical profile of the blade.

The dagger's toggle and pommel are made of solid stainless steel. In the pommel, the cooling fins and gas outlets of the recoil amplifier (actually a combined component with the functions of a recoil amplifier, a flash hider and a barrel guide sleeve) were incorporated as a design element. Nevertheless, form followed function here as well, for the grooves increase the grip of the dagger in the reverse grip. The toggle and pommel joinlessly hold the barrel-shaped roll of hornbeam wood, which is automatically centred in the hand by its shape. The dagger is equipped with a high-quality sheath made of dark brown leather with a belt loop and place reinforcement. Supplied with a classy frame case for seemingly floating presentation, certificate of authenticity and individual serial number.

Specifications:

Steel: Damascus (see description)
Blade length: 5.314“ inch / 135 mm 
Total length: 10” inch / 254 mm
Handle length: 4.685" inch / 119 mm
Handle scales: Iron Wood

Blade Thickness: 5 mm
Overall weight 195 gr.

German Böker Tiger Damascus Folding Knife

Collector's knife *Serial numbered*

- Made in Solingen / Germany -

Introduction:

The impressive Boker Tiger- Damascus-adds a very special model to our series of pocket knives steeped in history. The collector's knife with a historical past is a real piece of living history and combines high-quality craftsmanship with authentic materials. Known worldwide as the Tiger, the Panzerkampfwagen VI was used by the Wehrmacht from the late summer of 1942. It is considered one of the most famous tanks in history, despite its modest production number of only 1350 units and the resulting low strategic importance. The development of the heavy tank can be traced back to 1937, and series production began in August 1942. Today, there are only seven preserved units, which are exhibited all over the world. Due to the low availability, the so-called Frankentiger was even assembled for this purpose from wreckage parts of different production years.

The tank parts we use come from a Tiger I of the Schwere Panzerabteilung 502, which was destroyed in combat in Latvia in the summer of 1944 in a heavily wooded area near the town of Bauska. Based on the wreckage found at the original excavation site, it was determined that this Tiger was an early to mid-production model. Examination of battle damage to the remains, military records and local historical accounts revealed that this Tiger tank collided with both a Russian T-34 medium tank and an SU-76 anti-tank gun, and was also damaged by a stationary 45-mm anti-tank gun. It is still unclear which of the impacts caused the most damage and sealed the fate of the Tiger. However, as several 76-mm fragments were lodged in the heavy armour, it is assumed that a nearby T-34 landed the decisive hits before it was destroyed 300 metres away, too.

Otto Carius and Albert Kerscher, two of the most successful tank commanders of the Second World War, were attempting to stop the advance of Soviet forces on Riga at the time, with the Schwere Panzerabteilung 502. The division was able to so devastatingly defeat the enemy blockade forces near Tukums that it was able to retreat to the Latvian Courland together with more than 500,000 other soldiers of the Heeresgruppe Nord. There the forces were encircled in the further course of the Soviet advance. The Kurland Cauldron served as a bridgehead and could be supplied by the Kriegsmarine via sea. It withstood six major attacks by Soviet forces until the unconditional surrender on 8 May, 1945.

The straight-edged Boker Tiger-Damascus is equipped with a unique Damascus blade made from the steelof the battle tank destroyed at Bauska. The non-stainless mosaic Damascus is forged for us by hand by Chad Nichols in the Intrepid pattern and is reminiscent of the tank tracks left in the ground by the Tiger's heavy tracks. Unlike conventional Damascus, the production of mosaic Damascus does not create layers, but complex Damascus bars are forged by hand into a mosaic in an elaborate and very complicated process. The ball-bearing blade is opened by a thumb stud and locked by a sturdy steel framelock with a stonewash finish, while a Hinderer lock-stop acts as an over-extension protection for the lock. The overall shape of the knife pays homage to the famous lines of the tank, while the decorative pivot screw is modelled on the main drive sprocket. The slightly contoured handle scales made of burlap Micarta are provided with precisely milled grooves, which are reminiscent of the characteristic surface structure of the Zimmerit coating of German armoured vehicles. With lanyard hole and milled clip (tip-up/r) witt steel ball. Handmade in the Boker Knife Manufactory in Solingen. Supplied with a classy suspended display, a certificate of authenticity and an individual serial number.

Specifications:

Steel: Damascus 
Blade length: 3.346“ inch / 85 mm 
Total length: 7.874” inch / 200 mm
Handle length: 4.527” inch / 115 mm
Handle scales: Micarta

Blade thickness: 4 mm
Overall weight 139 gr.

PUMA knife of the year 2022 DAMASTEEL SuperClean limited to 50 pieces