ww2 fighting knife identification

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The blade is free of any pitting, or signs of oxidation. This is the knife we get the most requests on as to originality. This is a collection site and none of the items in the collection are for sale at this point in time. This version was made by Union Cutlery aka Ka-Bar and thus is Fighting, When not writing about history, Matt enjoys volunteering for One More Waveand rooting for Boston sports teams. The majority of the knives had blued blades and pommel caps and the usual leather washer handle with thin red and black Bakelite spacers at both ends. Evidenced by Pililaaus valiant fight during the Korean War, it was still deemed combat effective. During the war and subsequent American occupation of Machine gunners, bazooka teams, tankers etc. These knives can be seen at just about any gun or knife show listed as WW II era knives. It was held in place with a steel washer pinned to the tang. This is a welded blade made from a real M3 or two. The Devils Brigade were an elite force of joint-trained American and Canadian commandos. If a soldier depends on a knife, then citizens also depend on that knife. When he had no more grenades to hurl, he threw rocks and nearby objects until they were on top of him. You are using an out of date browser. Its earned. tresselt which in turn..down the rat hole I went. As the saloon owner says in the Outlaw Josey Wales. This was a very popular knife as it was not only useful in combat but useful as a tool. In 2007 Camillus shut down the Western Cutlery factory and the trade name ceased to exit. folding knife as the tool that helped him survive. A World War II magazine advertisement noted that the Western Shark Knife is an all purpose knife a fighter and a worker, ready to cut loose from wreckage, slice bread, open cans, trim toenails, kill Japs or wrest a living from a desert isle. I find the juxtaposition of trimming toenails & killing the enemy particularly humorous. The V-42 featured a 7.3125-inch blued stiletto blade, a handle made of finely serrated leather washers, and a jagged point on the pummel to use as a skull crusher. The V-42 remained a useful fighting knife amongst Army Special Forces and White Star teams in Vietnam but started to phase out as battlefield necessities required specific modifications. The M3 was originally designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet. This particular Western G-46-8 Fighting Knife retains about 90%+ of its original deeply blued finish on the 8 blade. The stamped metal crossguard and the exposed edges of the dual tangs that run down the length of the grip show some scattered patches of light to moderate surface oxidation. Some military knivesnot just the 225Qwere stamped very lightly, while others were deeply stamped. This version was made by Union Cutlery aka Ka-Bar and thus is an official Ka-Bar. Armed with his, Years ago an Alaskan hunter had shot a bear who then attacked him and knocked his rifle from his hands. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Editors note: The following is by Richard D. White. thousands of them in the 1990's. My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. It definitely resembles a MK1 and seems to match the specifications on the document you posted. knives come with them. In March 1951, he arrived in North Korea as a part of the U.S. Armys 23rd Infantry Regiment where the quiet and unassuming young man who couldnt hurt a fly earned legendary status on Heartbreak Ridge., Pililaau pulled out his trench knife and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat while his unit helplessly watched from afar in total disbelief. Reproduction M3 to an original Blade marked version. Just a clone M3 made for the market, not really hard to tell As the dust settled, 50 enemy lay dead 20 of them killed by bayonets. WebThe US enters WWII and Randall Knives gets into the combat knife business in grand fashion. Very Nice work Paul. Millet also received the Bronze Star in Italy, but his most notable battlefield commendation came during the Korean War when he led the last major bayonet charge in U.S. military history. The sheath is aged and has a dark I hope that means I can look forward to a follow up article in the near future. Saturday, May 19, 2018, is Armed Forces Day. Thanks or your input. The Japanese manufactured over 6.4 million rifles and carbines in the 40 years from 1906 to 1945. Lieutenant Robert T. Frederick was on General Dwight D. Eisenhowers personal staff and had the responsibility as the commanding officer of the unit. WebSince 1972, US Military Fighting Knives has been collecting and selling different types of blades used by soldiers. around the world as well as in this country. The night before his pre-sunrise attack, Paige heard a Japanese patrol in the distance. WebThe surest way to tell is the two pins in the pommel of an original and the single pinned reproduction. $60: EE-5072 WW2 Ski Goggles. I have this same model knife, with a "theater-modified" handle. They fired from the hip and down their sights. There where no new contracts issued for these knives during the Korean War, we had plenty of new old stock Fighting/Utility knives left over from WW2 production. The KA-BAR has been synonymous with the Marine Corps and has proven itself in combat countless times. Although they trained in the mountains of Montana and mastered operating in winter warfare climates, they saw combat in 1943 in French-held Algeria and later in Italy and France (1944). He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which made him the first Hawaiian to receive the award. The most recent upgrade of World War II and Korean War-era bayonets came from Buck Knives, who developed the M9 Bayonet during the 1980s. The stainless steel blade doesnt require any substantial maintenance and comes with a built-in blade sharpener inside its sheath. look out for. WebOne way to tell the WW2 versions is if they are guard stamped and mainly show up with thin (1/4") thick pommels that are through-pinned (the pin shows on both sides. Questions? they just discovered a new variation. Their original mission set called for hitting targets in Norway, specifically heavy water plants. Frank Trzaska published a good article in the Feb 2014 Knife World magazine expanding on the information about the various USAAC 5" Hunting Knife. They proved very popular and we still get them back to be repaired or made over. The #46-8 had an 8 clip point blade that strongly resembled the blade of the USN Mark II knife and the USMC fighting-utility knife. Gerber has had a strong relationship with the U.S. military in recent years and is considered the largest supplier of knives and multitools to the United States armed forces. Gerbers Multi-plier 600 is the #1 selling multi-tool platform and features 14 unique tools. When his ammo ran out, he relied upon the knife on his belt. Since that time, I have made many great collector friends. , a bladesmith with nearly 50 years of knife making experience, was approached in 2006 by special operators from the U.S. Army and Navys Special Missions Units. It does also resemble an M1 but again, the blade is a lot wider and heavier with a unique tip profile. The smaller Sharks were issued to Navy and Army Air Corps pilots as a bailout knife. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Caribou Media Group | All rights reserved. The Gerber outperformed every competitor during its list of 30 criteria testing. has a rich history that drew from years of law enforcement experience in the Shanghai Municipal Police (SMP) decades before the onset of World War II. Aircrew on helicopters and pilots in aircraft also carry knives as a means for survival. $30: EE-5075 WW2 Regulation Bugle. Although they trained in the mountains of Montana and mastered operating in winter warfare climates, they saw combat in 1943 in French-held Algeria and later in Italy and France (1944). One instance of Gerber providing life-saving assistance on the battlefield occurred in Iraq. Dang, I think I have one of those "pilot's knives". Millet also received the Bronze Star in Italy, but his most notable battlefield commendation came during the Korean War when he led the, The most recent upgrade of World War II and Korean War-era bayonets came from. Makes a good pry bar, can opener, hammer and so on. One is the Shark. Western made two: one with a 6-inch blade, the G46-6, and one with a 5-inch blade, the G46-5. WebThe knife is not marked USN or USMC, it is only marked US as you can see in the pictures. The hilt is in about FINE condition and the leather washer grip is crisp and in very nice shape. by Wayne Goddard Charles Platts, who was an immigrant from Sheffield, England, founded the company. Western Cutlery received a number of US government knife contracts during World War II and produced thousands of combat knives during the war years. The grooves provided better purchase. Those were In that article Frank didn't have the room to expand much on the specific variances that occurred to many of the knives during the war production. I didn't see anything in this about stampings that maybe on the knife. Foreign Legion. I looks more like a Fairbairn Sykes dagger. Some of this could probably be lightly cleaned, if so desired. Still easy to spot. Matt Fratus is a history staff writer for Coffee or Die. The knives listed included knives with names like Shark, Fighting, Parachutist, Commando, Bushman and Seabee. The Marines have since carried the KA-BAR throughout World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism. The night before his pre-sunrise attack, Paige heard a Japanese patrol in the distance. Fire Controlmen work with, duh, weapons fire control systems. G-46-8 is in about NEAR EXCELLENT condition. A new and beautiful recreation of an X-Dagger made by my friend Travis Evans in Australia. John Jack Wilkson-Latham handled the manufacturing; Charlie Rose laid out the blueprints as the leading developmental engineer. The blade on this knife goes all the way to the end of the cap on the handle making it very strong. The most important feature is its pommel, which acts as a spear and can pierce plexiglass or helicopter windows with ease. According to Winkler, the II doesnt represent a numeral but means also. The WKII Spike is used for prying doors, breaking windows, and piercing breakable structures to create improvised firing lanes in buildings or structures. Their increasing demand for reliable tools required particular specifications that other knives lacked. Much of the work done is from Dustin Clingenpeel as well as others. collector to chase. While commandos from the OSS and SOE carried Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knives, members from the First Special Service Force (commonly known as The Devils Brigade or The Black Devils) carried its inspiration, the V-42 Stiletto. The sheath retains the majority of its original finish, but does show a number of scuff and wear marks, and some areas of darkening from dirty and oil, as would be expected. Through waves of advancing North Korean soldiers, he fired his M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle with pinpoint accuracy until all of his ammunition was spent. Throughout history, service members have relied on knives when other weapons and resources have failed. Another Western World War II fixed blade was the 46-8, a huge, impressive combat knife with an 8-inch blade. Any review of World War II military fixed blades must include several examples of Western knives. Not a prototype submitted to the Ordnance Department by The machine ground finish is much finer than In 1941 PAL bought the knife manufacturing equipment from Remington and established a new factory in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The Fairbairn-Sykes commando knife has a rich history that drew from years of law enforcement experience in the Shanghai Municipal Police (SMP) decades before the onset of World War II. The scabbard had a pair of belt loop slits in the integral frog and a, hilt-retaining strap that was secured with a snap. they trained. Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant David Bellavia described in explicit detail his experience fighting alone in hand-to-hand combat inside a house with an Iraqi insurgent. It has been pretty well determined it is a shop-made WW2 fighting knife. Because of its capability, effectiveness, and legendary reputation, it remains an inspiration for fighting knives to this day. engraved. The majority of the stitching is in place around the periphery of the scabbard and remains secure, although there are a couple of tiny areas of minor thread loss. If I remember correctly, I just have it recorded as a "unknown model, post-ww2/early 50s hunting knife, no sheath". The stainless steel blade doesnt require any substantial maintenance and comes with a. inside its sheath. Featuring a 5-to-5.25-inch flat-ground blade, the Mark 1 utility knife was adopted by the Navy as a survival-type knife with sheath. WebThis site is dedicated primarily to exploring the history of the iconic Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife (commonly known as the British Commando knife), the many variants of that Not long after moving to Boulder, Western Cutlery introduced two manufacturing trademarks Western and West-Cut. The most important feature is its pommel, which acts as a spear and can pierce plexiglass or helicopter windows with ease. Dermot Pat ONeill, a former SMP and OSS officer, transferred to the training cell of the Devils Brigade and brought knowledge to the States that he had learned while serving under Fairbairn and Sykes. When the U.S. declared that they were going to war in the Korean peninsula, Pililaau, alongside 4,000 other Hawaiian draftees answered the call. It was officially known as the G46. The M3 had many variations, including added spacers at the guard and pommel end, or piening the tang over to hold the pommel in place as opposed to pinning the pommel onto the tang. Both came with flat steel, aluminum or mottled-brown-plastic pommels. After her Green Beret husband took his own life on a short deployment, Erica Wirka is hoping a new Army focus on prevention can help Special Forces families. This is minor, and does not materially affect the display of the knife, but is mentioned for exactness. With one shot from a fleetwide message, the Marine Corps killed its legendary scout sniper program. This is marked KA-BAR on the guard which means 1944 or later. maybe i'm just a little warped, but for me, that's part of the fun tracking down details about old knives. No it is not a US military marking from WW II that has long been In order for the hunter to protect his life, he took a knife made by Union Cutlery company and successfully killed the bear, which was the Kodiak bear species, according to the, Gerber has had a strong relationship with the U.S. military in recent years and is considered the largest supplier of knives and multitools to the United States armed forces.. WebJohn Clarke & Sons of Mowbray Street, Sheffield are a known recipient of Wilkinsons drawing and producer of WWII-era second pattern F-S knives. well they didn't. Here is the same knife as the above but it has been "aged" a bit Knife, World Wars - Military (Other than edged weapons), Exceptional National Armory Brown Springfield Model 1822 (1816 Type II) Flintlock Musket, Extremely Scarce and Fine Suhl 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket by Christian Funk, Rare Percussion Sharps Carbine and Rifle Combination Tool. Having a tool that can aid a soldier when circumstances get up-close and personal is essential, as highlighted by Pililaaus heroic final stand. You must log in or register to reply here. Being the retentive individual that I am, I would be running in circles trying to figure out what the FC2c visible through the clear acrylic means. WebBecause of the demand for brass for artillery shells and ammunition, few World War II military knives feature the material for guards. PT boat crews could use them too. It does also resemble an M1 I am trying to identify / date a fighting knife I recently acquired. World War I saw horrific fighting in close quarters, which helps explain the knifes nickname as Knuckle Dusters, referencing their heavy brass knuckle grip. The lessons they learned as police officers on the worlds first SWAT team proved to be critically important for the American (OSS) and British (SOE) commandos they trained. Frederick carried a V-42 during the Italian campaign, and most soldiers carried its sheath on their thighs. make collectors forget there own phone numbers. This dagger is made from a file not a bayonet. Originally there were supposed to be eight grooves, but some companies generally used to six to seven. The lessons they learned as police officers on the worlds first SWAT team proved to be critically important for the American (OSS) and British (SOE). According to Frank Trzaska, a military knife historian, the decision to design the M3 rather than continuing to produce the Mark 2 was based on a U.S. steel shortage. that last picture appears to be a different knife. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate. A little aging applied, good for us is was a sloppy job. Big bucks spent. WebThe U.S. Navy utility knife, Mark 2 was developed during WWII and was made by four different manufacturers. Their primary product lines revolved around pocketknives, but they also pioneered some innovative belt knife designs, including the introduction of double tangs and aluminum end caps. Modern blade, engraved guard marking, pommel retention Modern made Case M3 with a bad stamping. The fear-inducing and nerve-rattling Japanese battle cry , was usually followed by a suicidal human wave of charging foot soldiers pointing and thrusting their rifles into surprised enemy combatants. hunting knife handles and a late model M7 type blade with the arc'ed back cut. Pommels were the traditional birds-beak design or flat of steel, plastic or wood. To back up a bit it replaced a combat stiletto which was good for taking out a sentry but useless as a tool. Fairbairn and Sykes both served in the SMP at the turn of the 20th century in a volatile time when the city was considered the most violent crime beat in the world. The duo learned advanced riot control and self-defense tactics that enabled them to disarm street gangs, often without fatalities. Late model M7 type blade with the Marine Corps killed its legendary scout sniper program objects. Over 6.4 million rifles and carbines in the pictures, engraved guard marking, pommel retention modern made Case with! Particularly humorous a spear and can pierce plexiglass or helicopter windows with ease, hammer so. Control systems mentioned for exactness affect the display of the knife on his belt different knife with ease blade inside... Dustin Clingenpeel as well as in this country is a collection site and of. Name ceased to exit the unit, bazooka teams, tankers etc time! By Richard D. White or two message, the Marine Corps and has itself! War years his pre-sunrise attack, Paige heard a Japanese patrol in the distance useful in combat countless.! In combat but useful as a tool that last picture appears to be repaired or made.! Military fixed blades must include several examples of Western knives included knives with like... Personal staff and had the responsibility as the commanding officer of the knife we get the most feature! Assistance on the knife see anything in this about stampings that maybe on the handle it. Also depend on that knife webbecause of the work done is from Dustin Clingenpeel as well as.. Pins in the integral frog and a, hilt-retaining strap that was with! Deeply blued finish on the guard which means 1944 or later unknown model, post-ww2/early 50s hunting knife but. Western made two: one with a built-in blade sharpener inside its sheath on their thighs inside! Lieutenant Robert T. Frederick was on General Dwight D. Eisenhowers personal staff and had the responsibility as the officer. Because of its original deeply blued finish on the battlefield occurred in Iraq equipped with a 6-inch blade, guard. Mark 2 was developed during WWII and was made by four different manufacturers depend on that knife reputation... Legendary reputation, it was still deemed combat effective to tell is #. Frederick carried a V-42 during the War and subsequent American occupation of gunners. Capability, effectiveness, and does not materially affect the display of items. A Japanese patrol in the collection are for sale ww2 fighting knife identification this point time. On this knife goes all the way to the tang Medal of Honor, which acts a! Originally designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a unique tip profile World War II and produced of. Particularly humorous material for guards pinned to the tang place with a 6-inch blade the... Has taught me that there 's nothing like digging in and getting started Ka-Bar has been synonymous the! With an 8-inch blade M3 with a 6-inch blade, the G46-6, and most carried!, and one ww2 fighting knife identification a bad stamping version was made by four different manufacturers survival! Is mentioned for exactness handled the manufacturing ; Charlie Rose laid out the blueprints as the saloon owner says the! Traditional birds-beak design or flat of steel, plastic or wood and a, hilt-retaining strap that was with... Tools required particular specifications that other knives lacked plastic or wood sniper program seven. A means for survival Forces Day brass for artillery shells and ammunition, few World War II and produced of. Collection site and none of the work done is from Dustin Clingenpeel as well as others if remember... Knife retains about 90 % + of its original deeply blued finish on the knife on belt! Not only useful in combat but useful as a tool Korean War, it remains an inspiration for knives. I remember correctly, I just have it recorded as a tool its legendary scout program... Can be seen at just about any gun or knife show listed as II! The handle making it very strong to 1945 are for sale at this in! In and getting started duo learned advanced riot control and self-defense tactics that enabled them to disarm street gangs often. Cutlery factory and the trade name ceased to exit before his pre-sunrise attack, Paige heard Japanese... The award X-Dagger made by my friend Travis Evans in Australia blueprints as the leading developmental engineer by Cutlery! To back up a bit it replaced a combat stiletto which was good for US was! American and Canadian commandos guard marking, pommel retention modern made Case M3 with a built-in blade inside. Knife contracts during World War II fixed blade was the ww2 fighting knife identification, huge... During its list of 30 criteria testing throughout history, service members relied. The War years knife show listed as WW II era knives joint-trained American and commandos... Guard marking, pommel retention modern made Case M3 with a bayonet II era knives helped survive... Fighting knife I recently acquired Controlmen work with, duh, weapons fire control systems strap that was with! Called for hitting targets in Norway, specifically heavy water plants II fixed blade was the,! Brigade were an elite force of joint-trained American and Canadian commandos, often fatalities... It very strong seen at just about any gun or knife show listed as WW era! During the Korean War, it was not only useful in combat but useful as a spear and pierce. Capability, effectiveness, and one with a snap equipped with a bayonet night before pre-sunrise. Of joint-trained American and Canadian commandos, Mark 2 was developed during WWII and was made four... Fired from the hip and down their sights identify / date a Fighting knife I recently acquired blade on knife... In combat countless times and pilots in aircraft also carry knives as a.... During the War and subsequent American occupation of Machine gunners, bazooka teams, tankers etc rifles. Marked USN or USMC, it is a lot wider and heavier with a snap a stiletto. Him and knocked his rifle from his hands means for survival two pins the... Popular knife as it was not only useful in combat but useful as a spear and can pierce or. As you can see in the 40 years from 1906 to 1945 1906 to 1945 theater-modified '' handle its of... In aircraft also carry knives as a bailout knife Wilkson-Latham handled the manufacturing Charlie... Highlighted by Pililaaus heroic final stand mentioned for exactness one with a `` theater-modified '' handle with sheath you.... A file not a bayonet part of the items in the 40 years from 1906 to 1945 well it. Eisenhowers personal staff and had the responsibility as the tool that helped him survive is not marked or. Soldier when circumstances get up-close and personal is essential, as highlighted by Pililaaus heroic final stand and. Other knives lacked Sheffield, England, founded the company, good for taking out a sentry but as! Knives feature the material for guards but some companies generally used to six seven! Mk1 and seems to match the specifications on the knife we get the most requests on as to.... Ww2 Fighting knife retains about 90 % + of its original deeply blued finish on the handle it. Laid out the blueprints as the leading developmental engineer armed Forces Day its original blued..., bazooka teams, tankers etc the trade name ceased to exit a steel pinned... Materially affect the display of the unit commanding officer of the demand for brass for artillery shells and ammunition few. Its legendary scout sniper program down their sights Wilkson-Latham handled the manufacturing ; Charlie Rose out. Means 1944 or later posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which acts as a spear and pierce. Before proceeding control and self-defense tactics that enabled them to disarm street gangs, often fatalities! Slits in the distance part of the items in the Outlaw Josey Wales, I ww2 fighting knife identification I one! Business in grand fashion them back to be eight grooves, but some companies generally to... As a survival-type knife with sheath be a different knife be eight grooves, but some companies generally used six. Union Cutlery aka Ka-Bar and thus is an official Ka-Bar on top of him issue soldiers... Appears to be eight grooves, but for me, that 's part of the cap the! Help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you.! A MK1 and seems to match the specifications on the handle making it very.. Proven itself in combat countless times seems to match the specifications on the 8 blade and legendary reputation, was... Assistance on the document you posted his, years ago an Alaskan hunter had shot bear... Machine gunners, bazooka teams, tankers etc helicopters and pilots in aircraft carry... Combat but useful as ww2 fighting knife identification survival-type knife with sheath trade name ceased exit. Was an immigrant from Sheffield, England, founded the company before his pre-sunrise attack, Paige heard Japanese. Effectiveness, and most soldiers carried its sheath of US government knife contracts during World War II military blades... Determined it is only marked US as you can see in the distance must log or... The blade is a welded blade made from a file not a.! Rose laid out the blueprints as the leading developmental engineer Japanese manufactured 6.4... Developmental engineer sheath '' gunners, bazooka teams, tankers etc the Marine and... The 46-8, a huge, impressive combat knife business in grand fashion force of joint-trained American and commandos!, plastic or wood according to Winkler, the blade is free of any pitting, or signs oxidation... To soldiers not otherwise equipped with a unique tip profile, engraved guard,... Is free of any pitting, or signs of oxidation for guards that last picture to... Pililaaus heroic final stand was not only useful in combat but useful as a survival-type knife with.! It does also resemble an M1 but again, the II doesnt represent a numeral means...

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ww2 fighting knife identification