ctyankee Posted August 30, 2013 Share #1 Posted August 30, 2013 Identification ?? US ARMY cast aluminum handle eagle and shield no markings If anyone knows anything about this knife please let me know. It is about 13.5 inches overall length, with an 8 inch blade. No markings anywhere that I can see. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted August 30, 2013 Share #2 Posted August 30, 2013 Welcome to the forum. Glad to see you made it over here. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctyankee Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted August 30, 2013 Hi Bill, it took awhile to get validated, but here I am. Glad to have a friendly face around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted August 30, 2013 Share #4 Posted August 30, 2013 Really interesting knife. Looking forward to hearing more on this. Welcome Aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctyankee Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted August 30, 2013 Thanks for the welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted August 31, 2013 Share #6 Posted August 31, 2013 Identification ?? US ARMY cast aluminum handle eagle and shield no markings If anyone knows anything about this knife please let me know. It is about 13.5 inches overall length, with an 8 inch blade. No markings anywhere that I can see. Thanks. -------------------------------- According to Bill Wright's book "Military Theater Knives of WWII" (p. 122), it should say "ARMY KNIFE," instead of "US ARMY." Whether this is a variation, or a copy, that would be up to someone that knows a lot more about these knives than me. If it is a Merrill E. Brown knife, it's rare and worth over $1,500, going by what Bill & Debbie Wright say on their book. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted August 31, 2013 Share #7 Posted August 31, 2013 According to Coles book IV page 168 it should say "US ARMY". Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctyankee Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted August 31, 2013 If my father found out it was a Merrill E Brown Knife he would have said something to me about it. Since he didn't I would have to guess that it's a copy or at very least he was never convinced that it was the real deal. If I could see one of the originals I could make the determination wether or not to pursue this any further. I've heard about the Bill Wright book, but I'm not sure I want to put out the $50.00 only to find out that there are no pictures or enough data to prove one way or another what this knife really is. I appreciate your input and I'm sure in time the mystery will be solved. Thanks again for the information. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted August 31, 2013 Share #9 Posted August 31, 2013 Thanks, Bill! Looks like there are several inscriptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctyankee Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted September 1, 2013 I found the Cole book. I guess the problem isn't the handle it's the blade. From the pictures they showed the blade is supposed to be a single edged almost a bowie looking blade. The handle looks to be an exact match. That's encouraging! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted September 1, 2013 Share #11 Posted September 1, 2013 The thing I think Cole shows in his book is that these knives didn't always have the same blade pattern. I think your knife is the real deal. Hopefully Frank Trzaska will chime in on this on. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctyankee Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted September 1, 2013 Bill, I'm beginning to think that you might be right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted September 1, 2013 Share #13 Posted September 1, 2013 I found the Cole book. I guess the problem isn't the handle it's the blade. From the pictures they showed the blade is supposed to be a single edged almost a bowie looking blade. The handle looks to be an exact match. That's encouraging! Wow,New Albany Indiana.Interesting.My Father was born and grew up around there.It is a small town so he probably knew the Brown family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcranch Posted September 1, 2013 Share #14 Posted September 1, 2013 Here are some pics of my Merrill Brown you can compare yours too. I have shown this to a number of collectors and all believe that it is correct. The oxidation on the grip and patina on the blade seem consistent with the age. I found out that the blades on these Brown knives vary considerably and some are pretty plain like the double edged one I have. The cast grip however should match and were pretty good quality. I suspect the measurements should match, my guard is a little over 3 5/8" and the length of the grip is 5 5/8". The blades vary, this one is about 8 3/8". Not sure if they all have the decoration on the top of the eagle, but this one has a red plastic or glass inlay on the eagle head. Hope this information may be of some help to you, good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcranch Posted September 1, 2013 Share #15 Posted September 1, 2013 Close-up of grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcranch Posted September 1, 2013 Share #16 Posted September 1, 2013 Another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcranch Posted September 1, 2013 Share #17 Posted September 1, 2013 Last one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctyankee Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted September 1, 2013 rcranch, Thanks so much for posting these great pictures of your knife. After seeing your knife, and checking out the dimensions of the handle I would have to conclude that my knife is legitimate. I have a couple concerns one is that red glass or plastic inlay on top of the eagles head. My knife doesn't have it, but as you said it may not be on all of these knives. The top of the eagles head on my knife is completely smooth. Unfortunately someone wrote the numbers 457 in magic marker (must be permanent ink) since my father decided to leave it there, I guess that I'll do the same. another concern is the blade. I see that yours has a bevel to it where it meets the handle, and mine goes in straight, but again as you said "the blades vary considerably on these Brown Knives". Here's couple more angles of my knife to look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nifman Posted September 3, 2013 Share #19 Posted September 3, 2013 Hi In the picture it looks like there is something that looks like sanding or grinding marks where the casting seam should be. They are for sure lighter, it may be there was a seam there and someone welded with a different welding rod than the handle material. There are some pretty rough areas under the beak, it is kind of hard to believe that the rough areas would not have gotten smoother after 45+ years. Dennis aka nifman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Trzaska Posted September 3, 2013 Share #20 Posted September 3, 2013 Those are some pretty hard to find knives. Both have all the traits of the originals for sure but would need to hold them in my hands to be sure... Want to sell them?? All the best Frank Trzaska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctyankee Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share #21 Posted September 4, 2013 Hi Frank, You seem to be somewhat of an icon around here. I am honored to have you visit my humble thread. To answer your question "Everything is for sale for the right price". Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted May 22, 2015 Share #22 Posted May 22, 2015 Frank has penned another great article in Knife World. This time on these Merrill Brown Knives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted May 25, 2015 Share #23 Posted May 25, 2015 I've never heard nor seen that kind of knife before but it looks really neat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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