WWII German Stag Boot Knife

German soldiers would hide these in their jackboots — GIs had to be careful when Germans surrendered. The German boot knife (Stiefelmesser) was a short, single-edged blade designed to be carried concealed in the tall leather jackboot worn by Wehrmacht infantry. It was a last-resort weapon, not a standard issue item, and its presence on a prisoner was a serious concern for Allied soldiers conducting searches.

This example features a stag horn handle — a traditional German material used across hunting knives, boot knives, and officer daggers. The stag horn grip is both practical (it provides a secure grip even when wet) and aesthetically distinctive, marking this as a quality piece rather than a mass-produced utility blade.

Boot knives are among the harder German edged weapons to find in good condition. Their concealed carry role meant they were used hard, and the stag horn grips are prone to cracking and loss over time. An intact example with original handle material is a genuine find.