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USAAF machete


dustin
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Can anyone point me to any articles on this particular and unusual machete as pictured here?

thanks

 

Dustin,

 

You have an Australian-made survival machete for WWII US aviators. They made two different types. If yours has the two-piece handle it's the Type 2. Not sure where you can find an article on it. Maybe Frank Trzaska, or Mike Silvey wrote something on them. I'll do some checking and if I find anything, I'll post the reference. Nice piece.

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To clearify it is not mine just often wondered about them,I have seen them with USAAF stamped in handle and thought forsure Traska or somebody would have written something about them,I have searched with no luck! so I thought I would try and pick the brains of forum members.

Thanks

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Charlie Flick
Can anyone point me to any articles on this particular and unusual machete as pictured here?

thanks.

 

Hey Dustin:

 

Yes. While not an article Ron Flook described these Australian made blades in his book entitled "British and Commonwealth Military Knives", published in 1999. They were made by East Brothers of Sydney and by Gregsteel. The scabbards were made by the Australian firms of Bonney & Clark Ltd and by Goldseal.

 

The one in my collection is a USAAF marked example. I would have to drag it out of where ever it is hiding right now to be sure, but I think the scabbard is a Bonney & Clark Ltd. made one.

 

Have you ever seen a period pic of this square tipped machete in use? Do you have any information on its use by US forces in the PTO?

 

Regards,

Charlie Flick

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thanks for the information Charlie!

the only picture I know of is this one, a marine aviator.

I have found no information from naval or USAAF sources on this machete

post-56-1193702892.jpg

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Charlie Flick

Dustin:

 

Good pic. I have seen it before and it is the only one I am aware of that shows this machete in use by US forces.

 

I am not surprised that no information on procurement has been found. I would expect that this was an item locally procured (local meaning Australia) and any documentation on that would be long gone. The only other source might be the Aussie makers, but Gregsteel has been out of business for some years. Don't know about East Brothers, but I suspect the same.

 

Regards,

Charlie

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