Original German WWII Luftwaffe Relic Gravity Knife & K98 Bayonet Purportedly Found at Carentan in 1981

Original Items. One-of-a-Kind. This is an interesting pair of knives purportedly found in Carentan, France in 1981. Carentan was of course the site of the Battle of Carentan from 10-14 June 1944. Carentan was defended by two battalions of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 of the 2nd Fallschirmjäger-Division. The 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, ordered to reinforce Carentan, was delayed by transport shortages and attacks by Allied aircraft. The attacking 101st Airborne Division, landed by parachute on 6 June as part of the American airborne landings in Normandy, was ordered to seize control of Carentan.

The only provenance with the group is a small paper tag attached reading Carentan, 1981. 

The Gravity Knife shows heavy woodworm damage on both grips, and is entirely seized in place. The blade will not come out of the knife, nor will the operating lever budge at all. The marlin spike and lanyard ring are both seized in place as well. Of note, the small stainless steel rivets on the side of the knife are still bright!

The K98 bayonet is in similar condition with a heavily worn blade that shows evidence of paint being applied and wearing away at one point. The blade ricasso retains a very faint marking, S/244G. There are no other markings we could find.

A very interesting pair of knives, which may have been recovered at Carentan, but we cannot say for certain. Ready for further research and display!