How rare is a Puma Boot Knife marked Patronenheber MG 34?

[SteveR]

Very nice sir.

[Combat Boots]

Very nice knife! I would not use steel wool as it will scratch. I believe they make brass / bronze or copper wool which would be much more kind to the surface. Good luck. Bob

[Rossi]

Here are some photos, hopefully they come through ok. The photos show the knife in as found condition, there is some light rust on some surfaces and I have not attempted to clean it at all, but I am sure some WD-40 and 0000 steel wool would clean it easily. I am open to any other suggestions for cleaning someone else might have. I am not looking for a free appraisal and if I wanted to sell it I am sure it would do quite well on eBay, but still I am curious on general value as anyone might be who found something they never had seen before. Thanks for any help.

I use the tip of a deer / stag horn or you can use a bone tip as well. It is softer than the metal and with a little work a little oil / wd40 solution as well on active rust areas it knocks it down and minimizes future growth if you keep an eye on it. I stay away from steel wool & I would not polish blade.

Value. As our code of conduct here we don't offer value opinions or assessments. If you are inclined reach out to a few dealers of Militaria. Figure they would buy at what a collector would or close to it. They will then in turn mark up 30-50% to get margin. Ultimately it will sell for what the buyer will be willing to pay for and how bad they want it. Only you know what you have into it. The market will only bear so much on these. That is my opinion.

[CBH]

Super Fine steel wool and gun oil or WD-40 won't scratch , you can even use it on Blueing .
Beautiful knife welcome to the forum looking forward to seeing more of your finds .

[Antiquebill]

I use the tip of a deer / stag horn or you can use a bone tip as well. It is softer than the metal and with a little work a little oil / wd40 solution as well on active rust areas it knocks it down and minimizes future growth if you keep an eye on it. I stay away from steel wool & I would not polish blade.

Value. As our code of conduct here we don't offer value opinions or assessments. If you are inclined reach out to a few dealers of Militaria. Figure they would buy at what a collector would or close to it. They will then in turn mark up 30-50% to get margin. Ultimately it will sell for what the buyer will be willing to pay for and how bad they want it. Only you know what you have into it. The market will only bear so much on these. That is my opinion.

There is product that they sell around here at gunshows that is a stainless steel brillo-pad-looking thing that I have used on gun blue with good results. Doesn't seem to scratch the metal, but does clean the rust off. Whatever I use, I will pre-soak the affected areas with oil of some type first. Don't plan on doing anything to the blade, there is some light discoloration near the tip, but will leave that alone.

As far as value goes, I understand what you are saying about opinions or assessments, they always need to be taken with a grain of salt anyway. I always figure something is worth nothing unless someone is willing to buy it and price is always negotiated between the buyer and seller and only worth what someone is willing to pay. I guess I am more interested in knowing the relative scarcity of the knife. I have searched high and low on the internet and have yet to find a picture of one with the MG 34 tool on it. I'm sure they exist in somebody's collection, I just can't find any. Are they one in a hundred, one in a thousand? How common are they? That's what I'm wanting to find out.

[Rossi]

There is product that they sell around here at gunshows that is a stainless steel brillo-pad-looking thing that I have used on gun blue with good results. Doesn't seem to scratch the metal, but does clean the rust off. Whatever I use, I will pre-soak the affected areas with oil of some type first. Don't plan on doing anything to the blade, there is some light discoloration near the tip, but will leave that alone.


As far as value goes, I understand what you are saying about opinions or assessments, they always need to be taken with a grain of salt anyway. I always figure something is worth nothing unless someone is willing to buy it and price is always negotiated between the buyer and seller and only worth what someone is willing to pay. I guess I am more interested in knowing the relative scarcity of the knife. I have searched high and low on the internet and have yet to find a picture of one with the MG 34 tool on it. I'm sure they exist in somebody's collection, I just can't find any. Are they one in a hundred, one in a thousand? How common are they? That's what I'm wanting to find out.

I have seen the kombinationskampfmesser or werkzeugmesser knives that were pretty beat up. Always wish I would have been buying them up. Have not seen the MG34 tool variation. You have a rare piece for sure. Not sure of number produced but can say you don't see them for sale. The beauty of this piece is the condition and rarity of course. Don't let it go. Doubt u would find its equal.

[mauser9]

Dug around myself but could not locate info dealing with production figures from Puma. Saw a pic of one similar with the 1a Gusstah marking above the Puma logo. Very interesting variation of the knife indeed. Hope to provide more info. Again thanks for sharing.

[Antiquebill]

Decided to list it on eBay. I don't really collect these, can use the funds to buy what I do collect. Thanks for all the information. Didn't know where to start price wise, we'll see what happens. Price might be high, try to find another.

[lebus12]

This knife is in the Myrvang boog on MGs, firts volume, page 428.
For him, one German book told it is connected with MGs, and since this time a mot of of people said the same, without proof.
For Myrvang, no link with MGs.
https://www.amazon.fr/MG-34-MG-42-Ge.../dp/088935278X

[Rossi]

It is also in Johnsons Reference Book Volume VII in the 332-334 pages area. He references it being used by a specialist for light machine gun.