thorin6 Posted May 17, 2015 Share #1 Posted May 17, 2015 I picked this up at the flea market today. It's shown in Cole's number 3 on page 168 and is attributed to the Special Forces. One is for sale on ebay and adds to the story. I violated my general rule not to pick up edged weapons without getting their scabbards, but I've only seen two for sale in the past several years (including this one). Can any one add to the linage on these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted May 17, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted May 17, 2015 Other side: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misfit 45 Posted May 17, 2015 Share #3 Posted May 17, 2015 Sorry I can't help you with more information. I read Cole's book III information which says it was a Viet Nam era bolo. Great knife. Marv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayonetman Posted May 17, 2015 Share #4 Posted May 17, 2015 Not my field at all, but these may get you started: http://www.elitemilitaryknives.com/HTML/ITEMS/sog_ciso.html http://modernforces.com/uniform_bolo.htm http://norbay.com/macvsog-sog-ciso-bolo-machete http://www.thedogtag.com/engine/inspect.asp?Item=381&Filter=US+Militaria http://www.specialforceshistory.com/engine/inspect.asp?Item=161&Filter=Field+Gear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 17, 2015 Share #5 Posted May 17, 2015 There are reproductions of these as well.I think the thickness of the blade is an indicator and when the repros are found with a scabbard the canvas isnt as heavy.I will look in my photo file as I came across a repro a couple years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted May 17, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted May 17, 2015 Gary, Thanks for the references; I hadn"t seen the last one and that really helps. It also explains why there are several mint in box examples for sale at any one time. doyler, I'd be interested if there are repro's. Frank Trzaska's reproduction page doesn't show a repro and IMA doesn't have one on their web site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayonetman Posted May 17, 2015 Share #7 Posted May 17, 2015 Gary, Thanks for the references; I hadn"t seen the last one and that really helps. It also explains why there are several mint in box examples for sale at any one time. doyler, I'd be interested if there are repro's. Frank Trzaska's reproduction page doesn't show a repro and IMA doesn't have one on their web site. Note the second reference I gave (http://modernforces....niform_bolo.htm). At the bottom, it states "This is a reproduction from Japan". I have seen others in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 17, 2015 Share #8 Posted May 17, 2015 THe one linked here is described as a reproduction from Japan.It was a link Gary provided. One thing I noticed right off is the color of the handles and type of wood looked similiar to the repro I saw/handled.I spoke to Paul Miraldi once and I cant recall but I believe he said there was a repro being made out of Massachusetts This is the copy I saw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 17, 2015 Share #9 Posted May 17, 2015 The grip on the first post is a lot better formed than on this repro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted May 17, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted May 17, 2015 Doyler, Thanks for the photos. As I compare my bolo to your photo's and Gary's second link (I missed that it was a repro), I notice that the handle on mine is like the originals and not like the reproductions. Also, the nose of my bolo looks like the originals; note the reproduction stops the bevel grind around the center of the blade, while the originals carry it around to the top of the blade. I would say my bolo is an original, not a reproduction, unless there is something I'm missing. t6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mi Posted May 17, 2015 Share #11 Posted May 17, 2015 Check out this thread: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/96586-vietnam-bolo-machete/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted May 18, 2015 Share #12 Posted May 18, 2015 I see that the dead links are still a work in progress. Heres a picture of the bolo in the OP of the thread in the link above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted May 18, 2015 Share #13 Posted May 18, 2015 Would see troops with these on occasion. But, it's been many years. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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