Original items: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the rare Marine Raider Stiletto dagger by Camillus Cutlery Company with correct M6 leather scabbard. Camillus produced the USMC Raider's Stiletto in 1942 and a total of 14,370 knives were made. The design was heavily influenced by the British Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife issued to Commando Units. The knife features a cast zinc handle, and originally bore the USMC scroll and Camillus maker's markings etched on the blade. This example saw service, which unfortunately quickly wore away etched markings, however traces can still be seen on this wonderful service used example.

The zinc handle has been very well preserved, and was painted green along with the scabbard, for better camouflage while in the field. The blade measures 6 5/8" with an overall length of 11 3/4". These knifes were issued to both Marine Raiders and Paramarines. Leather scabbard is in good complete condition, and still has the original leg tie down and functional snap on the retainer loop.

We received this knife with a small tag that reads "WWII MARINE RAIDER KNIFE WAS MY FRIEND ARIE DATSONS. EKK". We have not been able to find any further information than this, making this an excellent research opportunity.

This will make a worthy addition to any WWII Edged weapon collection. Ready to display!

The Marine Raiders were originally elite units established by the United States Marine Corps during World War II to conduct special amphibious light infantry warfare, particularly in landing in rubber boats and operating behind the lines. "Edson's" Raiders of 1st Marine Raiders Battalion and "Carlson's" Raiders of 2nd Marine Raiders Battalion are said to be the first United States special operations forces to form and see combat in World War II.

However, despite the original intent for Raiders to serve in a special operations capacity, most combat operations saw the Raiders employed as conventional infantry. This, combined with the resentment within the rest of the Marine Corps that the Raiders were an "elite force within an elite force", led to the eventual abandonment of the experiment.

Four Raider battalions served operationally but all were disbanded on 8 January 1944 when the Corps made the doctrinal decision that the Raiders had outlived their original mission. The changing nature of the war in the Pacific, with many large-scale amphibious assaults to come against well-defended islands, negated the requirements for small light units that could strike deep into enemy territory.

On 1 February 1944, the 1st Raider Regiment was redesignated the 4th Marine Regiment, thus assuming the lineage of the regiment that had garrisoned Shanghai in the interwar years and fought so gallantly on Bataan and Corregidor. The 1st, 3rd, and 4th Raider Battalions became respectively the 1st, 3rd, and 2nd Battalions of the 4th Marines. The 2nd Raider Battalion filled out the regimental weapons company. Personnel in the Raider Training Center transferred to the newly formed 5th Marine Division. Leavened with new men, the 4th Marines went on to earn additional distinctions in the assaults on Guam and Okinawa. At the close of the war, the regiment joined the occupation forces in Japan and participated in the release from POW compounds of the remaining members of the old 4th Marines.