Unidentified Fighting knife

[zaxfire69]

Hey guys. I received this knife today on a trade. The fellow said the knife belonged to his Great Uncle who was in WWII. It is a double blade design with no visible markings. I Can tell it is old, because the brass cap at the end of the handle is worn through. No visible markings that I can see. I love the knife as a display piece. Let me know what you knife experts think. Thanks on advance.

 

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[TerryC]

Looks like the blade was sharpened using one of those "v" shaped ceramic or hardened steel tools. I have a few and they KILL the blade like that. Tell the guy you got it from he was a BAD BOY! Have a knife pro sharpen it on a wet wheel. You can't do worse... and it WILL look better. Tnx. TTC

 

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[ABruce]

I've been collecting and trading military knives for over 30 years. There is no set in stone information about these so called "theater" or "fighting" knives. I've seen every sort of garden tool and industrial implement sold as a "combat" knife. After studying these photos, I would bet that this knife was most likely made during the second world war by a machinist or factory worker for the war effort. It is not a factory item, like a production knife, but in many factories, skilled labor would sometimes volunteer their spare time to make knives out of scrap materials for donation to individual soldiers or were gathered to be sent to the Army for distribution. Unfortunately, very few were ever marked by the maker or when and where they were made. Those that can be traced to an noted maker could be quite valuable. The heavy pattern of riveting and the red bakelite handle are the giveaways to me of it's WW2 origins. I know the local Wright aircraft engine plants (3 in this area) had groups of men making knives like this, but have never seen a marked example. Most of this activity took place earlier in the war. When the war began there was a shortage of military knives for the new soldiers so the government bought all of the stocks of commercial sporting and hunting knives as well as asking the public to donate their own hunting knives. When supply caught up with demand, many makers discontinued their work. There is no end to design variations and materials used in these "handmade" knives. Value depends solely upon what someone would be willing to pay for it. Many war surplus combat knives such as Navy Mark 1s and 2s (Kabar types) as well as Pal 36 Army knives were sold on the surplus sporting market in the 1950s for as low as 50 cents each. Many times these knives were customized by their owners to make them more personalized, usually in the form of a stacked plastic handle. Today Ebay is loaded with these so called "Theater" knives, some going for big bucks. Truth is, that unless you have a photo of some soldier actually holding that particular knife during WW2, who knows if that knife was ever even in a movie theater, let alone a theater of war.

 

[zaxfire69]

ABruce I appreciate the information. I am going to keep this knife in my collection. I really like it. The fellow said his Great uncle was an MP in the war and he carried this knife with him. I'm going to be satisfied with that and leave it at that. Thanks you all for your information. It was very helpful.

 

[Bum Luck]

I think the knife is home made - I've done a few of them myself. I myself think it's old 20th century. Never seen a butt job like that.

As far as the handle goes - I can't tell. It looks painted so it's hard to ID it. I never had bakelite be soft though.

 

[ABruce]

I think the knife is home made - I've done a few of them myself. I myself think it's old 20th century. Never seen a butt job like that.

As far as the handle goes - I can't tell. It looks painted so it's hard to ID it. I never had bakelite be soft though.

I meant to say "red Bakelite TYPE" handle material. I'm not sure what type of plastic material it is, though I've seen it used as a knife handle material many times. I believe it may be some sort of electrical insulating material.

 

[zaxfire69]

It is a very strange material. I love the knife. It screams old to me. It is well made and the blade is heavy. It has a sharpe edge on it. I would hate to be on the receiving end of it. I would love to get a definite time frame this knife was made, but it will be difficult. I will do some more research and see what I can come up with. Thanks for all the help guys.