Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare example of the 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment Fighting Knife and is offered in very good condition. The aluminum hilted multi-purpose combat knife was based on the Collins #18 Machete and was manufactured in Auckland, New Zealand for the 1st Battalion of the 21st Marine Regiment during World War II. The knife was inspired by the "Gung-Ho" machete used by the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion and was ordered by Lt. Colonel Evans C. Carlson, who later transferred to the newly formed 21st Marine Regiment.
The knife was produced by a local jobber, believed to be Masport, with aluminum hilts cast directly onto the carbon steel blades. 1,000 knives were ordered by Carlson and delivered with leather scabbards, made by various sporting good manufacturers. The hilts were painted with a dark green paint and the blades left unfinished with a bright polish. The knives were about 14" in overall length, with clip-point, Bowie style blades about 9" long. The heavy leather scabbards were form fit to the blades and made from two large pieces of leather. The rear piece was left long and doubled over to form a large belt loop and hanger for the scabbard. The scabbard is worn and the retaining strap separates from the rivet easily, as the leather has rotted out a bit.
The offered knife is in very good condition, with its original issue scabbard. The spine of the knife has been worked down slightly, giving it a more conventional, oversized Bowie knife appearance. The blade shows some wear, use, and sharpening along its edge, with a mostly dark brownish-gray patina over a medium gray base metal color. The cast aluminum grip retains traces of the original dark green/black paint. These knives are extremely rare on the market today, due to the small number manufactured and the hard use that the knives saw during the war.
A great example ready for further research and display.
Dimensions:
Blade Length: 9 1/2”
Grip Length: 5”
Crossguard: 4 3/4"
Total Length: 14 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 9 3/4” + Belt Loop
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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