Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the Vietnam War Era U.S. Air Force Jet Pilot's Survival knife by Columbus Milpar and Manufacturing Company of Columbus, Ohio, with a rare experimental aluminum handle. It comes complete with it's original leather scabbard, which still has what we believe to be the original whetstone in the front pouch. The knife was originally designed in 1957 as a joint issue between the Navy Weapons Bureau and the Marbles Arms Company. As originally designed it had a 6”, saw back blade.
In 1962, the knife was modified by reducing the blade to 5” in length. The post-1962 knives were produced by the Camillus Cutlery Company and Milpar during the Vietnam Era. These knives were initially issued to Naval Air Crews but saw service with airmen in all branches of US military service. The knife was issued with a leather scabbard that had a pouch on the front for a sharpening stone. The Pilot Survival Knives were favored by Special Forces and other Special Operations Personnel.
The blade is in very good condition, with light wear from the scabbard, use, and sharpening. It still has much of the original finish, and the blade still has the original profile on the edge, which is still quite sharp. The aluminum grip is in very good shape, and the "nut" pommel just has a bit of light oxidation and finish loss. A customer requested that we check the tang length, and a magnet will stick to the handle all the way down to the hexagonal pommel. It will not stick to the bottom of the pommel.
Milpar produced bayonets from 1964 through 1967. Those dates fall right into the time frame of the 5” blade marked jet pilot knife. It is not known exactly how many were produced due to scant records, however the small number of these versions that show up for sale indicates very few were made. Milpar had experimented with an aluminum handle like this example and is considered the rarest of all jet pilot survival knives.
The scabbard is also in quite good condition, with light wear commensurate with age and service. There is definitely some deterioration around the edges and some cracking on the securing strap. Tt still has the original whetstone with a functional pouch, and securing strap is fully functional. The only issue is that leg tie down is completely missing.
A very nice example of the rare 5" blade Vietnam War Pilot's Survival knife, complete with scabbard and ready to display!
Dimensions:
Blade length: 5”
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie" with Sawback
Overall length: 10 1/2”
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 6 1/2 + Belt Frog
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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