Gilles Posted April 23, 2017 Share #1 Posted April 23, 2017 Hi, I found this week this M3 who served in the French army. The number on the pommel indicates its use in the French army. The French army used M3s until 1996. From this date the armaments office gave orders to destroy them all. Best regards from France Gilles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilles Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted April 23, 2017 French soldier (paratrooper) during Algerian war (1954-1962) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted April 23, 2017 Share #3 Posted April 23, 2017 I like the interesting way the paratrooper carries the M3. Giles, you have a very nice Camillus guard marked M3 which appears to only have scabbard wear, and has the original edge. Does not appear to have ever been sharpened. Thanks for showing. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted April 23, 2017 Share #4 Posted April 23, 2017 Gorgeous example - very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted April 23, 2017 Share #5 Posted April 23, 2017 Beautiful M3. Are M3's easy to come by in France since they were in use until '96 or were most destroyed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilles Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted April 23, 2017 Beautiful M3. Are M3's easy to come by in France since they were in use until '96 or were most destroyed? Not easy to find a beautiful M3 used by the French army because they have been used intensively since the WW2.Most were destroyed in furnaces when the order was given.NCOs managed to save some of the destruction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted April 23, 2017 Share #7 Posted April 23, 2017 Were any French companies licensed to make M3's or were they all US made? Camillus knives were made about 60 miles East of where I live. Sadly, after a long knife making history, the company is no longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilles Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted April 23, 2017 Were any French companies licensed to make M3's or were they all US made? Camillus knives were made about 60 miles East of where I live. Sadly, after a long knife making history, the company is no longer. After WW2 France bought large stock of M3 in the USA. France has never made a M3 French Foreign Legion during Indochina war (Dien Bien Phu) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byf41 Posted April 23, 2017 Share #9 Posted April 23, 2017 Nice one Gilles , I did not know the French used these . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted April 23, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 23, 2017 Another great piece Gilles, glad it escaped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilles Posted April 24, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted April 24, 2017 The French army used many US knives Battle of Kolwezi 1978 (MK1 Colonial and M3) French foreign legion. Algerian war 1954-1962 (MK2 and M3) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarheeltim Posted April 24, 2017 Share #12 Posted April 24, 2017 Cool photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilles Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted April 25, 2017 Today we see reappear a few M3 which are worn by officers (french foreign legion and paratrooper) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilian Posted April 25, 2017 Share #14 Posted April 25, 2017 The French army used many US knives ..... Yes, also including fighting knives made from US M1917 bayonets. i have seen pictures of paratroopers carrying these in Kolwezi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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