Raleigh Militaria Show

[SKIPH]

Hey Gang! Hit the Raleigh Militaria Show yesterday. Saw a bunch of folks. Ed Hicks(Warpath), Robert Wilson(Tarbridge), Tarheel Tim, Elton, and a bunch of others. Lost out on a great deal w/ a mint M2 Parachute knife, "Presto", by George Schrade. Did get a good deal on a mint Imperial M3. The ordinance bomb was stamped out, and maker mark on guard ground off. But it was a beautiful 6 squared groove, w/ brown spacers. It came w/ a very nice M6 scabbard. The M6 left me w/ questions on authenticity. It appeared to be an unmarked Milsco, which pings my radar. After I bought it from another dealer, Tarheel Tim and I discussed it. Tim things it's a fake, as do I, but, the overall price of $250 for a mint M3 was worth the fake scabbard risk. Understand, I already have 3-4 mint Imperials that came w/ stamped over "L&C" M6 scabbards, w/ the leather strap over the staples, and a smaller more commercial looking M6 type scabbard. (Check out Bill Walters book for pictures.) So, the fact that it could be an unmarked Milsco did not overly surprise me. Any way, took it home, and compared it to my other 4 Milscos. The only difference was the coffin shaped staples, the one on the unmarked were ever so slightly larger. Barely a difference in size. So, I cataloged it as a repro w/ the knife, but could be legit. During production the leather was all cut, then distributed to workers to assemble. I could see, particularly post war, Imperial ordering scabbards from all the makers, who would use up, or assemble their old stocks. No one would be concerned over slightly larger coffin staples, particularly if they could make money off left overs from military contracts, Imperial sure did w/ all the M3 & M4 variations they came up with. Any way for $250, I got a mint M3, w/ a maybe legit M6. SKIP

 

Did anyone else pick up anything cool at the show?

[ehrentitle]

I was there both days, my first time with a table. It was well worth it, lots of good conversations and more time to look at other seller's wares.

[usmce4]

I envy you guys - wish we had shows like that up here! I've not found a single knife at a show yet.

Congrats on your find Skip

 

Art

[KRIS FORD]

Oh man..I have a Presto!

 

It was my gramps..but not an M2..(would have to have the bail to be one?) needs a handle scale on the button side...

[Mike Slayer]

I never heard of this show before. Where is it held at and where can I find a schedule upcoming shows?

[SKIPH]

Mike- The show is in Raleigh at the Fair Gounds. There are 3 per year, January, June, and Sept. called Old North State Militaria show.. SKIP

[Elton]

I drove three hours to the Old North State Militaria show and it was well worth it to look at all the knives that I could not afford to buy. A dealer from Intercourse PA had a k-bar that was mint with the paper tag that had instructions for taking care of your knife, only 500.00. All of his stuff is really high and he will not come down. There was a lot more that I really enjoyed looking at. This is a good show for knives where a regular gun show has mostly black rifles and not much collection of military knives. I did get to see Skip for a few minutes and the M3 imperial that he found.

Now just waiting for the next one.

 

Elton

[Mike Slayer]

I live between Windsor and Edenton in North Eastern NC so it's not really that far of a drive for me. I will make sure I don't miss the one in September since my birthday is that month. See if I can find myself a birthday present if I can afford it. I can't wait!