Verlängerungsmesser Saufänger mit Lederscheide ( Extension Knife w/ Leather Sheath)

[Rossi]

“Verlängerungsmesser Saufänger mit Lederscheide” from maker Gebrüder Gräfrath Widdert – Solingen - (Circa 1920'-1930's). These were commonly used during Imperial and Third Reich Periods by Forestry & Hunting Personnel. They are known in the USA as the "Pig Sticker". Very similar to the Hirschfänger, these were used to make the final kill on a Boar. A normal looking sheathed utility knife when in the folded position. When the blade is opened & locked, it is used to penetrate deep into the Boar to "dispatch it" by piercing the vital organs. The German term refers to this knife as a " Verlängerungsmesser" meaning extension knife.

[Anderson]

Very interesting knife Rossi. A dual function hunting knife in excellent condition.

[Rossi]

Very interesting knife Rossi. A dual function hunting knife in excellent condition.

Thanks Anderson,

In addition to this one shown above from the 1920-1930 vintage I have this same model of Verlängerungsmesser Saufänger from maker Hubertus – Solingen (Currently Maufactured in Solingen, Germany). I currently use in field today when hunting. I luckily have not had to use it to dispatch game as the arrow in the vitals does the job. All fittings are made out of solid nickel silver and she is still a minty virgin today and unused. I love the guards placed aside the handle when the blade is closed. While folding the blade to open position the guard swivels in front of the handle. A safety lever is used to lock or unlock the blade. A very sturdy design and highly functional. I will post some pictures for comparison when I get time. Sorry... Guess I am a little blade crazy at times.

[Anderson]

Interesting. So which company was the original designer of the knife? Any DRGM marks?

[gerrit]

Rossi thats a beautiful knife, unfortunate these are forbidden in the Netherlands otherwise i would surely have one.
I love these Grafrath knives, and i do own a 1920-30ths staggrip knife by Grafrath, which i will include.
I'm pretty sure these knives are not to make the final kill on a boar, i would not dare to face a wounded boar with a "little"knife like that.
Im pretty sure you as a hunter wouldnt do that either LOL
I do have a speciale designed "Hirschfänger" from the late 1800 or early 1900ths that would do the trick...its almost 74cm tall.
I think they rather be used to make the belly cut.

Regards
Ger

I have seen some Original ads from Puma and they did mentioned the knife as a final boar killer, wow they had balls as big as poolballs in the days..LOL

[Anderson]

Ger that blade looks like the French Chassepot bayonet blade on that Hirschfanger. Not made by Weyersburg is it?

[gerrit]

No its unmarked, but im pretty sure its Austria made, i owned a small Hirchfänger with a Steyr (OE) bajonet blade and distributed in Wien by Gasser nachfolger Leopold Ulrich, same type steel fittings, produced during 1908 and 1922.
This blade is also similar to the Werndl 1870 bajonet.

[CBH]

Thanks for posting , I have a rather battered example of this type of knife myself and have often wondered about it.
Thank you for the detailed explanation, I'll try and get a couple photos of mine.

[MAP]

Nice examples gentlemen.

Kirk: Was that under the Christmas tree?

[Rossi]

Interesting. So which company was the original designer of the knife? Any DRGM marks?

Not sure of original maker but know Puma also had a full line up of them. No DRGM marks as I can see.