Puma combat knife [Puma]. Stamp – Puma.

Puma combat knives are among the most recognizable examples of German edged weapons from the World War II period. They were typically fitted with handles featuring red Bakelite scales, while variants with wooden or horn scales are considerably rarer. Archaeological finds convincingly confirm the use of these knives directly in combat conditions. They have been discovered on multiple occasions during excavations at battle sites: at positions of Jäger units of Army Group North in the Murmansk region, in the territory of East Prussia (present-day Kaliningrad Oblast), and in Belgium at sites of the Battle of the Bulge. Such finds directly at the front lines indicate that Puma knives were not merely commercial products but were actually used by German military personnel during combat operations.

The firm PUMA-Werk Lauterjung & Sohn, founded in 1769, is one of the oldest manufacturers of edged weapons and knives in Solingen. During World War II, the company produced combat knives distinguished by high manufacturing quality and represented by several variants of proprietary markings. The present example bears the “Puma” marking. During production, the knife design underwent minor modifications; in particular, examples are encountered with both steel crossguards and crossguards made of zinc alloy, which is associated with production characteristics during different periods of the war.